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SLANG  *»>  ™ 

ANALOGUES 

PAST   AND   PRESENT 

A  DICTIONARY  HISTORICAL  AND  COMPARATIVE  OF  THE 
HETERODOX  SPEECH  OF  ALL  CLASSES  OF  SOCIETY 

FOR  MORE  THAN   THREE   HUNDRED  YEARS 


WITH    SYNONYMS    IN    ENGLISH,    FRENCH,     GERMAN, 
ITALIAN,    ETC. 


COMPILED   AND   EDITED    BY 

JOHN    S.   FARMER    &   W.   E.   HENLEY 


VOL.  VI.— REA  to  STOZZLE. 

PRINTED     FOR     SUBSCRIBERS     ONLY 

MCMIII. 


v,  £ 


E  A  C  H  E  R  ,        SUbs. 

(pugilistic).  —  I. 
A  blow  delivered 
at  long  point. 

2.  (colloquial). 
— An    exaggera- 
tion ;     a    STRET- 
CHER (q.v.)  :  see  WHOPPER. 

1662.  FULLER,  Worthies,  ii.  117.  I 
can  hardly  believe  that  REACHER  .  .  . 
that  "  with  the  palms  of  his  hands  he  could 
touch  his  knees,  though  he  stood  upright." 

REACH-ME-DOWN,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— In  pi.  =  second-hand  or 
ready-made  clothes  :  also  HAND- 
ME-DOWNS  :  Fr.  dtcrochez-moi-$a. 
Also  as  adi. 

1860.  THACKERAY,  Philip,  xxiv.  In 
the  Palais  Royal  they  hang  out  the  most 
splendid  REACH-ME-DOWN  dressing-gowns, 
waistcoats,  and  so  forth. 

1875.  BESANT  and  RICE,  Harp  and 
Crown,  xv.  The  capitalist  who  can  afford 
two  new  pairs  of  second-hand  machine- 
made  REACH-ME-DOWNS  in  a  single  winter. 
Where  is  he,  I  say? 

1888.  W.  S.  CAINE,  Trip  Round  the 
World,  xii.  The  gentlemen  attire  them- 
selves in  ready-made  REACH-ME-DOWNS  of 
black  cloth,  shiny  patent-leather  shoes, 
and  round  pot-hats, 


READ.  To  READ  BETWEEN  THE 
LINES,  verb.  phr.  (colloquial). — 
To  look  into  a  milestone ;  to 
quest  for  hidden  meanings  in 
plain  English. 

1883.  Gentlemari  s  Mag.,]vxM.  They 
READ  BETWEEN  THE  LINES,  as  they  say, 
and  find  that  two  and  two  are  intended  to 
represent  five. 

TO    READ    THE    PAPER,    verb. 

phr.  (common).— To  take  a  nap  : 
see  Doss. 

READ-AND-WRITE,  subs,  (rhyming). 
— Flight.  Also,  as  verb.  =  to 
fight. 

READER,  subs,  (thieves'). — I.  A 
pocket-book;  (2)  a  newspaper, 
letter,  &c.  Whence  TO  READ  = 
to  steal ;  READER-HUNTER  (or 
-MERCHANT)  =  a  pickpocket,  a 

DUMMY-HUNTER    (q.V.)\     READ- 

ERED  =  advertised  in  the  Police 
Gazette  ;  WANTED  (g.v.).—  PAR- 
KER, GROSE,  VAUX,  BEE. 

c.  1819.  Song, '  The  Young  Prig '  [FAR- 
MER, Musa  Pedestris  (1896),  82].  And  I 
my  READING  learnt  betime,  From  studying 
pocket-books,  Sirs. 

1828.  BEE,  Picture  of  London,  286. 
For  this  purpose  they  had  an  old  pocket- 
book,  or  READER  now  put  into  one  pocket, 
now  into  another, 


Ready. 


Rear. 


1829.  Vidocq's  Memoirs,  '  On  the 
Prigging  Lay'  [FARMER,  Musa Pedestris 
(1896),  107.  I  stops  a  bit :  then  toddled 
quicker,  For  I'd  prigged  his  READER, 
drawn  his  ticker. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  in.  v. 
None  knap  a  READER  like  me  in  the  lay. 

1842.  EGAN,  '  Jack  Flashman  '  (in 
Capt.  Macheath).  Jack  long  was  on  the 
town,  a  teazer  ;  Could  turn  his  fives  to 
anything,  Nap  a  READER,  or  filch  a  ring. 

1859.  MATSELL,  '  A  Hundred 
Stretches  Hence'  \Vocabulum\.  The 
bugs,  the  boungs,  and  well-filled  READERS. 

READY     (THE)      (READY -STUFF, 
-JOHN,  -GiLT,or  READY-MONEY), 

subs.  (old). — i.  Money  :  spec, 
money  in  hand  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE).  Hence  READY  THICK- 
'UN  =  a  sovereign  ;  2O/-  :  see 
RHINO. 

c.i6iB.  WEBSTER  and  ROWLEY,  Cure 
for  a  Cuckold,  ii.  2.  READY  MONEY  is  the 
prize  I  look  for. 

1688.  SHADWELL,  Sq.  of  Alsatia,  i. 
Take  up  on  the  reversion,  'tis  a  lusty  one  ; 
and  Cheatly  will  help  you  to  THE  READY. 

1712.  ARBOTHNOT,  History  of  John 
Bull,  i.  iii.  He  was  not  flush  in  READY, 
either  to  go  to  law  or  to  clear  old  debts. 

1732.  FIELDING,  Covent  Garden 
Tragedy,  ii.  i.  Therefore,  come  down 
THE  READY,  or  I  go.  Ibid.  (1743),  Jona- 
than Wild  (1893),  28.  Mr.  Wild  imme- 
diately conveyed  the  larger  share  of  THE 
READY  into  his  pocket. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  i.  v. 
The  notoriety  [Logic]  had  obtained  .  .  . 
for  the  Waste  of  READY  in  Hoyle's 
Dominions,  was  great  indeed. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingold.  Leg.  (Mer- 
chant of  Venice).  While,  as  for  THE 
READY,  I'm  like  a  Church-mouse, — I  really 
don't  think  there's  five  pounds  in  the 
house. 


2.  (colloquial).  —  Prepared. 
Hence,   A   GOOD    READY  =  ON 

THE  SPOT  (q.v). 

1886.  ^  ROOSEVELT,  Hunting  Trips, 
119.  Patiently  and  noiselessly  from  the 
leeward  .  .  .  his  rifle  at  THE  READY. 


Verb,    (racing).  —  To    pull    a 
horse. 

1 886-96.  MARSHALL,  Nobbled 
['Pomes,'  114].  He  made  us  all  ... 
believe  he  could  READY  his  chance. 

1889.  Sporting  Times,  29  June.  So 
as  not  to  let  the  favourite  be  READIED. 


REAL,  adj.  and  adv.  (originally 
American  :  now  general).  —  A 
superlative  :  very;  quite  ;  really. 
Whence  REAL  FINE,  GLAD, 
GOOD,  &c.  =  very  fine,  glad, 
good,  &c.,  indeed  ;  REAL  JAM  = 
an  acme :  see  JAM  ;  REAL  GRIT 
=  '  sound  to  the  core' :  see  GRIT  ; 

THE  REAL  (or  THE  REAL  THING) 

=  the  genuine  article. 

c.i  830.  American  Humour,  I.  I 
reckon  the  chaplain  was  the  REAL  GRIT 
for  a  parson — always  doin'  as  he'd  be  done 
by,  and  practisin'  a  darn'd  sight  more  than 
he  preached. 

1841.  THACKERAY,  Men  and  Pic- 
tures,  .  .  .  Persons  who  make  believe 
that  they  are  handing  you  round  tokay — 
giving  you  THE  REAL  imperial  Stuff. 

1872.  C.  D.  WARNER,  Blacklog 
Studies,  4.  A  cynic  might  suggest  as  the 
motto  of  modern  life  this  simple  legend — 
'  Just  as  good  as  THE  REAL.' 

1879.  JUSTIN  M'CARTHY,  Donna 
Quixote,  xvii.  But  I  do  like  her.  I  took 
to  her  from  the  first  .  .  .  REAL  JAM,  I 
call  her. 

1885.  Punch,  3  Jan.,  4,  2.  Without 
REAL  JAM — cash  and  kisses — this  world  is 
a  bitterish  pill. 

REAM.    See  RUM. 


REAM -PEN  NY,  subs.  phr.  (old).— 
Peter- pence  (that  is  *  Rome  '- 
penny).  To  RECKON  ONE'S 

REAM  PENNIES  =  to  Confess  One's 

faults. 


REAR,  subs.  (University).— A  Jakes  : 
also  as  verb. 


Rebec. 


Recruit. 


REBEC  (or  REBECK),  subs,  (old  col- 
loquial).— An  old  woman  :  in 
reproach :  cf.  RIBIBE. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  '  Friar's 
Tale,'  275.  Herewoneth  an  old  REBEKKE 
That  hadde  almost  as  lief  to  lese  hire 
nekke  As  for  to  geve  a  peny  of  hir  good. 

RECEIPT-OF-CUSTOM,  subs.  phr. 
(venery). — The  female  pudendum ; 
theCustom's-house  ('  where  Adam 
made  the  first  entry ') :  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE. Hence  CUSTOM'S- 
HOUSE  OFFICER  =  the  penis 
(GROSE). 

RECEIVER -GENERAL,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — i.  A  prostitute  :  J^TART. 

2.  (pugilists'). — A  boxer  giving 
nothing  for  what  he  gets. 

RECKER,  THE  (or  REKKER),  subs. 
(Harrow). — The  town  recreation- 
ground.  [Where  the  school 
sports  are  held.] 

RECKON,  verb,  (once  literary:  now 
American).  — To  think  ;  to 
suppose  ;  to  consider — peculiar  to 
the  Middle  and  Southern  States, 
and  provincial  [HALLIWELL]  in 
England:  cf.  GUESS  and  CALCU- 
LATE. 

1611.  Bible,  Isaiah  xxxviii.  13.  I 
RECKONED  [margin,  R.V.  =  thought]  till 
morning  that  as  a  lion,  so  will  he  break  all 
my  bones.  Ibid.,  Rom.  viii.  18.  For  I 
RECKON  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present 
time  are  not  worthy,  &c. 

^.1745.  SWIFT,  Nobles  and  Commons, 
v.  I  RECKON  it  will  appear  to  many  as  a 
very  unreasonable  paradox. 

1776.  FOOTE,  Bankrupt,  iii.  What, 
you  are  a  courtier,  I  RECKON  ? 

1825.  SCOTT,  St.  Roman's  Well,  x. 
I  RECKON  you'll  be  selling  out  the  whole- 
it's  needless  making  two  bites  of  a  cherry. 

1889.  Century  Diet.  [American],  s.v. 
RECKON,  v.  IT.  6.  The  use  of  RECKON  in 
this  sense  [to  hold  a  supposition  or  impres- 
sion] though  regularly  developed  and  found 
in  good  literature  ...  has  by  reason  of 


its  frequency  in  colloquial  speech  in  some 
parts  of  the  United  States,  especially  in 
the  South  (where  it  occupies  a  place  like 
that  of  '  guess  '  in  New  England),  come  to 
be  regarded  as  provincial  or  vulgar]. 

1892.  GUNTER,  Miss  Dividend,  Hi. 
RECKON  your  pap  has  had  too  much  rail- 
road and  mine  on  his  hands  to  be  able  to 
even  eat  for  the  last  month. 

To  RECKON  UP,  verb  phr.  (col- 
loquial).— To  gauge  a  person  ;  TO 
MEASURE  (q.v.)  ;  TO  SIZE  (q.v.). 
Hence,  to  slander  ;  to  back-bite. 

1852.  DICKENS,  Bleak  House,  liv. 
447.  Mr.  Tulkinghorn  employed  me 
[Bucket,  the  detective]  to  RECKON  UP  her 
Ladyship. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
j.  33.  The  officer  spotted  him  directly,  and 
if  he  could  not  RECKON  HIM  UP  himself, 
would  mark  him  for  the  attention  of  some- 
one else. 

See  CHICKENS  and  HOST. 
RECKONING.    See  ACCOUNTS. 

RECORD.  To  BEAT  (BREAK,  CUT, 
LOWER,  or  SMASH)  THE  RECORD, 
verb  phr.  (colloquial :  chiefly 
athletic). — To  surpass  all  previous 
performances, '  to  go  one  BETTER  ' 
(q.v.). 

RECORDITE,  subs,  (obsolete clerical). 
— The  Low  Church  Party  of  the 
Established  Church.  [Their  organ 
was  The  Record.] 

1854.  CONYBEARE,  Church  Parties, 
1 6.  This  exaggeration  of  Evangelicalism, 
sometimes  called  the  Puritan,  sometimes, 
from  its  chief  organ,  the  RECORDITE  party. 
Ibid.  It  is  a  popular  delusion  that  the 
RECORD ITES  are  excluded  from  public 
amusements. 

RECREANT,  subs,  (old  :  now  recog- 
nised).—' A  Poltron,  or  Coward, 
one  that  eats  his  Words,  or  un- 
saies  what  he  said.'—  E.E.(c.  1696.) 

RECRUIT,  subs.  (Old  Cant). -In  pi. 
=  money  in  prospect :  e.g.,  HAVE 
YOU  RAISED  THE  RECRUITS?  = 


Rector. 


Red. 


*  Has  the  money  come  in  ? ' — B.  E. 
Whence  (GROSE)  RECRUITING 
SERVICE  =  *  robbing  on  the  high- 
way.' 


RECTOR,  subs,  (common). — i.  A 
poker  kept  for  show  :  CURATE 
(q.v.)  =  the  work-a-day  iron  ;  (2) 
the  bottom  half  of  a  tea-cake  or 
muffin  (as  getting  more  butter), 
the  top  half  being  the  CURATE, 
and  so  forth. 

RECTOR  OF  THE  FEMALES, 
subs,  phr.  (venery). — The  penis  : 
see  PRICK. 

1647-80.  ROCHESTER,  Poems.  Then 
pulling  out  the  RECTOR  OF  THE  FEMALES, 
Nine  times  he  bath'd  him  in  their  piping 
tails. 

RED,  subs,  and  adj.  (thieves'). — I. 
Gold  :  also  RED-UN  :  Fr.  j'aune 
( =  yellow) ;  Ital.  rossume  (  = 
redness).  RED-ROGUE  (old)  =  a 
gold  piece ;  RED-TOY  (or  KETTLE) 
=  a  gold  watch ;  RED-TACKLE  = 
a  gold  chain.  Cf.  RUDDOCK. 
RED-UN  also  =  a  sovereign. 

1617.  FLETCHER,  Mad  Lover,  v.  4. 
There's  a  RED  ROGUE,  to  buy  thee  handker- 
chiefs. 

Macm.    Mag.,    xl.    502.       I 
a  RED  TOV  and  RED  TACKLE. 

1888.  SIMS,  Plank  Bed  Ballad 
\Refcrte,  12  Feb.].  A  toy  and  a  tackle- 
both  RED-'UNS. 

c.i886.  Sporting  Times [S.  J.  and  C.]. 
"There's  a  RED-'UN— or  in  other  words  ' a 
quid.'" 

1901.  D.  Telegraph,  14  May,  n,  5. 
You  have  got  a  fine  RED-'UN.  Ibid.  You 
just  now  alluded  to  your  watch  as  a  RED- 
'UN. — Cooper  :  I  did.  And  then  you  ex- 
plained that  "RED-'UN"  was  thieves' slang. 
— So  it  is. 

2.  (common).  —  Variously  ap- 
plied to  objects  red  in  colour  :  as 
(i)  a  RED  HERRING  (q.v.)  ;  (2)  in 
pi.,  the  menses  :  whence  RED-RAG 
=  the  menstrual  cloth  ;  TO  FLASH 


ichecPfbr 


THE  RED  RAG  =  to  have  one's 
courses  ;  (3)  in  pi.  =  blushes  : 

also  REET-RAG,  whence  TO  MOUNT 
THE  RED  RAG  (or  FLAG)  =  to 

blush ;  (4)  a  Red  Republican : 
spec.  (France  '93)  a  violent  revo- 
lutionary of  the  established  order. 
See  also  ADMIRAL,  RED-CENT, 
and  RED-COAT. 

COMBINATIONS  are  numerous 
—  The  RED- ACE  (or  C)  =  the 
female  pudendum :  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE ;  RED-BOOK  =  a  book 
of  the  officers  of  State  or  the 
Peerage  :  cf.  BLUE-BOOK  ;  RED- 
BREAST =  a  Bow-St.  runner  (they 
wore  red  waistcoats) ;  also  see 
infra  ;  RED-CENT  (see  quot.  1889, 
NARY  and  NICKEL)  ;  RED-COAT 
=  a  soldier :  also  THE  REDS  ; 
RED-COCK  =  an  incendiary  fire  ; 
RED-CROSS  (see  quot.  1626) ;  RED- 
DOG  (see  SHINPLASTER)  ;  RED- 
EEL  =  a  term  of  contempt ;  RED- 
EYE (or  RED  -  HEAD)  =  fiery 
whiskey  ;  RED  -  EYE  SOUR  = 
whiskey  and  lemon  ;  RED-FLAN- 
NEL =  the  tongue  :  see  RAG,  2 ; 

RED  -  FUSTIAN  =   (i)     port,       (2) 

claret  (B.  E.  and  GROSE),  and  (3) 
porter :  also  RED-TAPE  ;  RED- 
GRATE  (see  RED-LATTICE)  ;  RED- 
HEAD =  a  red-haired  person,  a 

CARROTS    (q.V.)',     RED-HERRING 

=  a  soldier  :  cf.  soLDlER^a  red- 
herring  ;  RED-HORSE  =  a  native 
of  Kentucky;  RED-HOT  (adj.)  = 
violent,  extreme :  RED-LETTER 
DAY  =  (i)  a  Church  festival 
(printed  in  red  characters  in  the 
Calendar)  :  hence  (2)  a  happy  day 
or  lucky  occasion  (GBOSE) : 
whence  RED-LETTER  MAN  =  a 
Roman  Catholic  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE)  ;  RED-LINER  (see  quot. 
1851)  ;  RED-PETTICOAT  {see 
quot.  1670) ;  RED-RAG  (see  RAG 
and  RED),  and  (2)  =  a  source  of 
annoyance  or  disgust :  usually  *  a 


Red. 


Red. 


RED-RAG  to  a  mad-bull ' ;  RED- 
RIBBON  =  brandy  (GROSE)  :  cf. 

WHITE-SATIN  ;  RED-SAIL  DOCKER 

=  a  buyer  of  stores  stolen  out  of 
the  royal  yards  and  docks 
(GROSE)  ;  RED-SKIN  =  a  North 
American  Indian. 

£.1485.  Lady  Bessy  (Queen  of  Henry 
VII.)  [Percy  Soc.  Pub.  xx.].  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,  i.  396.  We  now  first  hear  of 
READE  COATES,  Lord  Stanley's  soldiers  ;  a 
well-known  word  in  Cromwell's  day,  130 
years  later]. 

1626.  SMITH,  Treatise  on  English 
Sta  Terms  [ARBER],  262.  [OLIPHANT, 
New  English,  ii.  66.  An  English  ship  is 
called  a  RED  CROSSE]. 

1662.  Rump  Songs,  ii.  5.  Our  Po- 
litique  Doctors  do  us  teach,  That  a  Blood- 
snarling  RED-COAT'S  as  good  as  a  Leech. 

1670.  RAY,  Proverbs  ['BELL.],  59.  The 
lass  in  the  RED  PETTICOAT  shall  pay  for  it. 
Young  men  answer  so  when  they  are  chid 
for  being  so  prodigal  and  expensive  ;  mean- 
ing, they  will  get  a  wife  with  a  good 
portion,  that  shall  pay  for  it. 

1707.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv. ,  n.  iii. ,  24. 
A  drum  was  beaten  on  the  ground  By  an 
old  RED  COAT. 

£.1720.  OldtSong  [DuRFEY,  Pills  t  &c. 
(1720)  vi.  324].  Old  musty  Maids  that 
have  Money  .  .  .  May  have  a  Bit  for  their 
Bunny,  To  pleasure  them  in  their  Beds, 
Their  hearts  will  turn  to  the  RED-COATS. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering.  .  .  . 
We'll  see  if  the  RED  COCK  craw  not  in  his 
bonny  barn-yard  ae  morning  before  day 
dawning. 

1826.  COOPER,  Last  of  Mohicans 
[BARTLETT].  What  may  be  right  and 
proper  in  a  RED-SKIN  may  be  sinful  in  a 
man  who  has  not  even  a  cross  in  his  blood 
to  plead  for  his  ignorance. 

1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  80. 
A  tumbler  of  blue  ruin  fill,  fill  for  me,  RED 
TAPE  those  as  likes  it  may  drain. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  i.  ix. 
Famous  wine  this — beautiful  tipple — better 
than  all  your  RED  FUSTIAN. 

1848.  RUXTON,  Far  West,  8.  Jest 
then  seven  darned  RED  HEADS  top  the 
bluff.  Ibid.,  ii.  Being  as  a  REDSKIN, 
thirsting  for  their  lives. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Book  of  Snobs, 
xxv.  A  woman  who  was  intimate  with 
every  duchess  in  THE  RED  BOOK. 


1851.  MAYHEW,    London   Lab.t   ii. 
564.     The  RED  LINERS,  as  we  calls  the 
Mendicity  officers,  who  goes  about  in  dis- 
guise as  gentlemen,  to  take  up  poor  boys 
caught  begging. 

£.1852.  Traits  of  Amer.  Humour,  n. 
114.  With  their  furniture,  and  the  remains 
of  a  forty-two  gallon  RED-HEAD. 

1852.  BRISTED,  Upper  Ten  Thousand, 
144.     It  was  a  great  catch  for  Miss  Lewi- 
son,  without  a  RED  CENT  of  her  own. 

1861.  MACAULAY,  Eng.  Hist.,  iii. 
"  Oliver's  REDCOATS  had  once  stabled  their 
horses  there." 

1871.  DE  VERB,  Americanisms t  .  .  . 
' '  Salted  provisions  and  RED-EYE  to  boot " 
is  the  refrain  of  many  a  rude  song,  and  if 
the  latter  is  fiery  and  raw  it  is  none  tht 
less  welcome. 

1883.  C.  MARVIN,  Gates  of  Herat, 
98.  These  opinions  cannot  but  be  so  many 
RED  RAGS  to  English  Russophobists. 

1889.  Century  Diet.,  s.v.  RED.  Th« 
copper  cent  is  no  longer  current,  but  the 
phrase  RED  CENT  remains  in  use  as  a  mere 
emphatic  form  of  cent :  '  as  it  is  not  worth 
a  RED  CENT. 

1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,  15  Dec. 
When  I  got  up  on  election  morning  I 
hadn't  a  blamed  RED  in  my  pockets. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet- 
heart, 33.  Who  would  take  her  for  twenty- 
five,  and  an  old  traveller,  to  see  her  MOUNT- 
ING THE  RED  RAG  like  a  girl  of  fourteen  ? 

1896.  CRANE,  Maggie,  ix.  Not  a 
cent  more  of  me  money  will  yehs  ever  get 
—not  a  RED. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  217. 
Won't  it  be  fine  to  see  the  sojers  on  'orse- 
back  ?  I  hope  its  THE  REDS. 

1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack-room  Bal- 
lads. '  Tommy.'  The  publican  'e  up  an' 
sez,  '  We  serve  no  RED-COATS  here.' 

1892.  Globe,  28  Sept.  6,  x.  On  his 
journey  he  gathers  the  anathemas  of  those 
to  whom  the  literary  picture  is  the  RED  RAG. 

NEITHER  FISH,  FLESH,  FOWL, 

NOR    GOOD    RED-HERRING,  phr. 

(old). — Nondescript ;  neither  one 
thing  nor  another;  neither  hay 
nor  grass. — RAY. 

1528.  Rede  me  and  be  nott  Wrothe, 
i.  iij.  b.  Wone  that  is  NETHER  FLESSHE 

NOR   FISSHE. 


Redbreasts. 


Red-lane. 


1530.  TYNDALE,  Works  [Parker  Soc. 
i.  299].  We  know  not  whether  they  be 
good  or  bad,  or  whether  they  be  FISH  or 
FLESH. 

1546.    HEYWOOD,  Proverbs ;  i.  x.  Shee 

is    NEITHER  FISH,   NOR  FLESH,   NOR  GOOD 
RED   HERRING. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.,  iv.  3. 
She's  NEITHER  FISH  NOR  FLESH  \  a  man 
knows  not  where  to  have  her. 

1656.  Muses  Recr.  [HOTTEN],  94. 
They  are  NEITHER  FISH,  FLESH,  NOR  GOOD 

RED   HERRING. 

[?]  MARSDEN,  Hist.  Ch.  Churches,  \. 
267.  "They  were  neither  Parsons,  nor 
Vicars,  nor  stipendiary  curates ;  in  fact, 
They  were  NEITHER  FISH,  NOR  FLESH, 

NOR  GOOD  RED   HERRING." 

1683.  DRYDEN,  Duke  of  Guise,  Epil. 
Damn'd  Neuters,  in  their  Middle  way  of 
Steering,  Are  NEITHER  FISH,  NOR  FLESH, 
NOR  GOOD  RED  HERRING. 

To  PAINT  (or  VARNISH)  THE 
TOWN  RED  (or  CRIMSON),  verb. 
•bhr.  (American). — See  quot. 

1889.  Detroit  Free  Press,  9  Mar. 
PAINTING  THE  TOWN  RED  undoubtedly 
originated  among  the  cowboys  of  western 
Texas,  who,  upon  visits  to  frontier  towns, 
would  first  become  very  drunk,  or  pretend 
to  be  so,  and  then  mount  their  bronchos, 
gallop  up  and  down  the  principal  street, 
shooting  at  anything,  and  signifying  their 
intention  to  PAINT  THE  WHOLE  TOWN  RED 
if  any  opposition  to  their  origies  was 
attempted.  It  was  a  mere  extravagant 
threat :  one  constable  could  usually  put 
the  whole  band  in  the  calaboose. 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer  at  Cambridge, 
105.     Now,  do  come  ...  to  see  us  row. 
We've  got  a  good  chance  of  going  head, 
and  if  we  do,  my  eye,  won't  we  PAINT  THE 
WHOLE  PLACE  RED  on  Tuesday  night ! 

1892.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  17  Oct.,  2,  3. 
He  appears  here  as  the  typical  Johnnie 
.  .  .  whose  aid  is  sought  by  young  men 
who  are  desirous  of  PAINTING  THE  TOWN 
RED. 


REDBREASTS  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(military).  — i.  The  5th  (Royal 
Irish)  Lancers. 

2.  See  RED. 


RED  FEATHERS  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(military).— The  late  46th  Foot, 
now  the  2nd  Batt.  Duke  of  Corn- 
wall's Light  Infantry.  [A  light 
company  were  brigaded  with 
others  in  1777  as  "The  Light 
Battalion. "  The  Americans, 
harassed  by  the  Brigade,  vowed 
"No  Quarter."  In  derison,  to 
prevent  mistakes,  the  Light  Bat- 
talion dyed  their  feathers  red.] 
Also  "  Murray's  Bucks"  ;  "The 
Surprisers  "  ;  "  The  Lacede- 
monians " ;  and  "  The  Docs." 

REDGE  (or  RIDGE),  subs,  (old).— 
Gold  :  see  RED,  subs.  i.  Hence 
REDGE-CULLY  =  a  goldsmith. 

1665.  HEAD,  English  Rogue  (1874), 
i.  v.  52,  s.v.  RIDGE-CULLY. 

1741.  Kentish  Post,  No.  2479,  4,  i., 
s.v. 

1834.  AJNSWORTH,  Rookwood,  in.  v. 
With  my  thimble  [watch]  of  RIDGE. 

RED- KNIGHTS,  subs. phr.  (military). 
— The  Cheshire  Regiment  (for- 
merly the  Twenty-second  Regi- 
ment of  Foot).  [In  1795  it  was 
served  with  red  jackets,  waist- 
coats and  breeches  in  lieu  of  the 
proper  uniform.  ]  Also  THE  Two 
Two's. 

RED  (or  SCARLET)  LANCERS  (THE), 

subs.  phr.  (military). — The  i6th 
(The  Queen's)  Lancers.  [The 
only  Lancer  regiment  with  a 
scarlet  tunic.] 

RED-LANE  (-CLOSE  or -SEA),  subs. 
phr.  (old). — The  throat;  GUTTER- 
ALLEY  (q.v.\ — GROSE. 

1566.  UDAL,  Roister  Doister,  i.  3. 
M.  Mumb.  And  sweete  make  maketh  ioly 
good  ale  for  the  nones.  Tib  Talk.  Whiche 
will  slide  downe  the  LANE  without  any 
bones. 

1814.  COLMAN,  Poetical  Vagaries 
(1814),  75.  O  butter'd  egg,  best  eaten 
with  a  spoon,  I  bid  your  yelk  glide  down 
my  throat's  RED  LANE. 


Red-lattice. 


Red-tape. 


RED-LATTICE  (or  -LETTICE),  subs. 
phr.  (old).  —  An  ale-house  sign. 
Hence  RED-LATTICE  PHRASES  = 
pothouse  talk  :  also  GREEN  LAT- 
TICE ;  RED-GRATE  =  tavern  or 
brothel,  or  both  combined.  — 
B.  E.  and  GROSE. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Merry  Wives, 
ii.  2.  Vour  cat-a-mountain  looks,  your 
RED-LATTICE  phrases,  and  yfcur  bold  beat- 
ing oaths.  Ibid.  (1598),  2  Henry  IV.  ,  ii. 
i.  He  called  me  even  now,  my  lord, 
through  a  RED  LATTICE. 

1596.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  in  his 
Humour,  iii.  3.  I  dwell,  sir,  at  the  sign 
of  the  Water  Tankard,  hard  by  the  GREEN 
LATTICE  :  I  have  paid  Scot  and  lot  there 
any  time  this  eighteen  years. 

1602.  MARSTON,  Auton.  and  Mel- 
lida,  v.  No,  I  am  not  sir  Jeffery  Balurdo  : 
I  am  not  as  well  known  by  my  wit,  as  an 
alehouse  by  a  RED  LATTICE. 

c.  1607.  WILKINS,  Mis.  of  Inf.  Marr 
[DODSLEY,  OldPlays(RwD),  v.  44].  Be 
mild  in  a  tavern  !  'tis  treason  to  the  RED- 
LATTICE,  enemy  to  the  sign  post,  and  slave 
to  humour. 

1622.  MASSINGER,  Virgin  Martyr, 
iii.  3.  Spun.  I  see  then  a  tavern  and  a 
bawdy-house  have  faces  much  alike;  the 
one  hath  RED  GRATES  next  the  door,  the 
other  hath  peeping-holes  within-doors. 

REDRAW,    subs,    (back  slang).  —  A 
warder  ;  a  JIGGER-DUBBER 


1875.  GREENWOOD,  Low-life  Deeps. 
Shying  a  lump  of  wet  oakum  at  the  RED- 
RAW. 

REDSHANKS,    subs.     (old).  —  See 
quots.  —  GROSE. 

c.i  540.  ELDAR  [PINKERTON.  Hist. 
Scot.,  ii.  396].  Both  summer  and  winter 
.  .  .  going  always  barelegged  and  bare- 
footed .  .  .  therefore  ...  as  we  use  and 
delight,  so  to  go  always,  the  tender 
delicate  gentlemen  of  Scotland  call  us 
REDSHANKS. 

1542.  BOORDE,  Work*  [E.  E.  T.  S.] 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  495.  We  see 
REDSHANK  (applied  to  the  Irish,)]. 

1565.  STAPLETON,  Bedt,  B  iii.,  04. 
A  priest  .  .  .  called  Columban  cam  from 
Ireland  into  Britany  to  preche  the  woorde 
of  God  to  the  REDSHANKES  [Picti]  as 
dwelt  in  the  south  quarters. 


1577.  HOLINSHED,  Hist.  Scotland, 
318.  In  the  battle  of  Bannockburn  were 
three  thousande  of  the  Irish  Scots,  other- 
wise called  Kateranes  or  REDSHANKS. 

<f.i599.  SPENSER,  State  of  Ireland. 
He  [Robert  Bruce,  1306-30]  sent  over  his 
brother  Edward  with  a  power  of  Scots  and 
REDSHANKS  unto  Ireland,  where  they  got 
footing. 

1610.  England's  Eliza,  Mirr.  M.  804 
[NARES].  When  the  REDSHANKES  on  the 
borders  by. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works  [NARES]. 
High-land-men,  who  for  the  most  part 
speake  nothing  but  Irish  ;  and  in  former 
time  were  .  .  .  called  the  RED-SHANKES. 

1730.  BURT,  Letters,  i.  74  [Note]. 
In  the  lowlands  of  Scotland,  the  rough 
footed  Highlanders  were  called  RED- 
SHANKS from  the  colour  of  the  red -deer 
hair. 

1809.  SCOTT,  Lady  of  Lake,  Ix. 
[Note].  The  ancient  buskin  was  made  of 
the  undress'd  deer  hide  .  .  .  which  pro- 
cured the  Highlanders  the  well-known 
epithet  of  RED-SHANKS. 

3.  (Old    Cant).  —  A    turkey. 
[Properly  the  pool-snipe.] 

1707.  Old  Song,  '  Rum  Mort's 
Praise  of  Her  Faithless  Maunder  '  [FAR- 
MER, Musa  Pedestris  (1896),  36].  RED- 
SHANKS then  I  could  not  lack. 

C.172S-  Old  Song,  '  Retoure  my  dear 
dell  [New  Canting  Diet.}.  On  RED- 
SHANKS and  tibs  thou  shall  every  day  dine. 

4.  (Old    Cant).— A    duck    or 
drake.— HARM  AN  and  B.  E. 


RED-TAPE,  subs.  phr.  (common).— 
i.  Official  routine;  formality. 
Hence,  as  adj.  —  formal :  also 

RED-TAPERY  Or  RED-TAPEISM  = 

official  routine ;  RED-TAPIST  = 
(i)  a  government  clerk ;  and  (2) 
a  precisian.  Cf.  BLUE-TAPE. 

1775.  LORD  MINTO.  Letter,  31  Aug. 
[JV.  &  Q.,  6  S,  viii.  349]-  Howe  gets  the 
command.  The  ships  are  in  great  forward- 
ness. I  can't  say  so  much  for  the  army. 
Your  old  friend  sticks  to  rules,  TAPE  and 
pack  thread. 


Reeb. 


10 


Reeler. 


1838.  LYTTON,  Alice,  in.  i.  The 
men  of  more  dazzling  genius  began  to 
sneer  at  the  RED-TAPE  minister  as  a  mere 
official  manager  of  details.  Ibid.  (1853), 
My  Novel,  x.  xx.  Throw  over  that  stiff 

RED-TAPIST. 

1849.  KINGSLEY,  A  If  on  Lock,  iv. 
Fops  of  RED-TAPE  statesmen. 

1855.  DICKENS,  Prince  Bull  [Rep. 
Pieces].  He  had  a  tyrannical  old  god- 
mother whose  name  was  TAPE  (et  passim). 

1863.  BRADDON,  Aurora  Floyd,  xiii. 
A  brief  respite  from  parliamentary  minutes 
and  RED-TAPE. 

1871.  Daily  News,  29  Dec.  It  is 
more  RED  TAPE. 

1884.  SPENCER,  Man  v.  State,  59. 
The  press  and  criticisms  in  Parliament 
leave  no  one  in  ignorance  of  the  vices  of 
RED-TAPE  routine. 

1873.  W.  MATHEWS,  Getting  on  in 
World,  99.  In  no  country  is  the  RED- 
TAPEIST  so  out  of  place  as  here.  Every 
calling  is  filled  with  bold,  keen,  subtle- 
witted  men. 

1890.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  17  Feb.,  7,  i. 
An  amusing  instance  of  RED-TAPEISM  is 
reported  from  America. 

2.  See  RED. 

REEB,  subs,  (back  slang). — Beer  : 
TOP  OF  REEB  =  a  pot  of  beer. 

REEF,  subs,  (thieves'). — To  draw 
up  a  dress-pocket  until  the  purse 
is  within  reach  of  the  fingers. 

2.  (racing). — See  quot.  [from 
Century}. 

1888.  Atlantic,  Ixiv.  115.  When 
the  driver  moves  the  bit  to  and  fro  in  his 
mouth,  the  effect  is  to  enliven  and  stimu- 
late the  horse  ...  If  this  motion  be  per- 
formed with  an  exaggerated  movement  of 
the  arm,  it  is  called  REEFING. 

TO    LET    OUT    A    REEF,   verb. 

phr.  (common). — To  unfasten  a 
button  after  a  meal. 

TO  NEED  A  REEF  TAKEN  IN, 
verb.  phr.  (common). — To  be 
drunk  :  see  DRINKS  and 
SCREWED. 


REEFER,  subs,  (nautical). — i.  A 
midshipman. 

1834.  MARRY  ATT,  Peter  Simple,  iv. 
A  young  lady,  very  nicely  dressed,  looked 
at  me  very  hard,  and  said  ' '  Well,  REEFER, 
how  are  you  off  for  soap  ?  " 

1888.  Harper's  Mag.  [Century], 
The  gun-room,  the  home  of  darling 

REEFERS. 

2.    (colloquial). — A    short  all- 
round   jacket  ;    an    ARSE-HOLE 

PERISHER  or  BUM-FREEZER  (q.V.). 

REEK,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— Money  : 
see  RHINO. 

REEKIE.    See  AULD  REEKIE. 

REEL.  To  REEL  OFF  (or  OUT), 
verb.  phr.  (colloquial). — To  speak 
or  produce  easily.  OFF  THE 
REEL  =  in  succession ;  right  off. 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  26  Oct.  Win- 
ning three  nurseries  OFF  THE  REEL. 

1888.  Elec.  Rev.  [Century],  [They] 
REELED  OFF  exactly  the  same  number  of 
words. 

1894.  MOORE,  Esther  Waters,  xxx. 
First  five  'favourites  STRAIGHT  OFF  THE 
REEL,  three  yesterday,  and  two  second 
favourites  the  day  before. 

TO  DANCE  THE  MILLER'S-REEL 

(REEL  o'  STUMPIE  or  REEL  OF 
BOGIE),  verb.  phr.  (venery). — To 
copulate:  see  RIDE. 

3.1796.  Old  Scots  Song;  'The  Mill, 
Mill,  O'  [Merry  Muses  (collected  by 
Burns)].  Then  she  fell  o'er,  an'  sae  did  I, 
An'  DANC'D  THE  MILLER'S  REEL,  O. 

17  [?].  Old  Song;  '  Cald  Kaill  of  Aber- 
dene'  [SHARPE,  Ane  Pleasant  Garden], 
The  lasses  about  Bogingicht,  Their  eens 
they  are  baith  cleer  and  richt,  And  if  they 
are  but  girded  richt,  They'll  DANCE  THE 
REEL  OF  BOGIE. 

REELER,  subs,  (rhyming). — A  police- 
man ;  a  PEELER  (q.v.). 

1879.  HORSLEY  \_Macm.  Mag.,  xl. 
502  .  A  REELER  came  to  the  cell  and 
cross-kiddled  (questioned)  me. 


Reel-pot. 


II 


Regular. 


1888.  SIMS,  Plank  Bed  Ballad 
{.Referee,  12  Feb.].  I  guyed,  but  the 
REELER  he  gave  me  hot  beef. 

REEL-POT,  sub.  phr.  (old). —  A 
drunkard  :  see  LUSHINGTON. 
REELING = drunk  :  see  SCREWED. 

REFORM  ADO,  subs.  (old). — A  dis- 
banded soldier  :  a  degraded 
officer.  [In  Sp.  =  an  officer  de- 
prived of  his  command  but  re- 
taining rank  and  pay  :  Fr.  re- 
formt.']  As  adj.  =  degraded. 

1598.  ^JoNSON,  Ev.  Man  in  his 
Humour,  Hi.  2.  Into  the  likeness  of  one 
of  these  REFORMADOS  had  he  moulded 
himself. 

1663.  COWLEY,  Cutter  of  Coleman 
St.     A  troop  of  REFORMADO  officers  ;  most 
of  them  had  been   under  my    command 
before. 

1664.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  n.  ii.  113. 
I  grant  you  are  a  REFORMADO  saint. 

REENER,  subs,  (tramps').— A  coin  : 
as  in  quot. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Signer  Lippo,  xx. 
By  all  that  kind  of  cant  she  done  a  very 
good  thing,  and  she  had  to,  for  the  old 
man  never  give  her  a  REENER. 

R  E  E  s  B I N  ,  subs,  (tinkers').  — A 
prison ;  a  STIR  :  see  CAGE. 

REFLECTOR,  subs,  (gaming).  —  A 
prepared  card  :  the  pattern  on  the 
back  is  so  grouped  as  to  signalise 
its  face  value. 

REFRESHER,  subs,  (legal). — i.  A 
daily  fee  given  to  a  barrister  after 
the  retainer :  spec,  when  a  case  is 
adjourned. 

1616.  Court  and  Times  James  I. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  71.  A  man  is 
REFRESHED  with  money ;  a  well-known 
legal  phrase  now]. 

1841.  Punch,  \.  33,  2,  '  A  barrister's 
card.'  Mr.  Briefless,  feeling  the  injustice 
done  to  the  public  by  the  system  of  RE- 
FRESHERS, will  take  out  his  REFRESHERS 
in  brandy,  rum,  gin,  ale,  or  porter. 


^.1859.  PE  QUINCEY,  Sketches,  i.  73. 
Every  fortnight  or  so  I  took  care  that  he 
should  receive  a  REFRESHER. 

1886.  Times,    30    Mar.      Fees    had 
been  paid  and  extra  REFRESHERS  in  order 
to  swell  the  bill  of  costs. 

1887.  Fortnightly  Rev.,  N.S.  xl.  28. 
He  might  have  attained  to  the  dignity  of 
the  Bench,  after  feathering  his  nest  com- 
fortably with  retainers  and  REFRESHERS. 

1901.  Evening  Standard,  16  Feb.  i, 
i.  The  late  Sir  Charles  Russell  was 
familiar  with  fees  of  1000  guineas  a  brief 
and  REFRESHERS  of  100  guineas  a  day. 

2.  (common).— A  drink  ;  a  GO 
(q.v.}. 

1872.  Globe,  12  Mar.  That  species 
of  REFRESHER  which  in  some  parts  of  our 
country  is  known  as  a  '  morning '  is  also  a 
German  institution. 

1889.  Ally  Sloper,  3  Aug.,  242,  x. 
As  a  rule  barristers  don't  object  to  RE- 
FRESHERS, 


REGARDLESS.    See  GET-UP. 

REGULAR,  subs,  (thieves').— In  //. 
=  shares  of  a  booty  :  see  NAB.— 
GROSE,  VAUX,  and  BEE. 

ENGLISH  SYNONYMS.  —  To 
come,  or  stand  in  ;  to  go  rags ;  to 
whack,  to  go  whacks,  or  to  whack 
up ;  to  go  snacks. 

1828.  BEE,  Picture  of  London,  15. 
He  who  obtained  what  he  now  calls  the 
swagg,  paying  to  his  new  pal  an  undefined 
share,  which  the  thieves  persist  in  calling 
their  REGULARS,  though  nothing  can  be 
more  uncertain  than  such  divisions. 

1838.  REYNOLDS,  Pickwick  Abroad, 
223.  I  never  was  a  nose  for  the  REGULARS 
came  Whenever  a  pannie  was  done. 

^.1857.  MONCRIEFF,  Scamps  of  London, 
i.  2.     What  do  you  mean  by  REGULARS  ? 

1871.  Morning  Advertiser,  ii  May. 
He  knew  who  had  committed  the  robbery, 
and  as  they  had  not  paid  him  £20  as  his 
REGULARS  he  should  round  on  them. 

1891.  CAREW,  Auto,  of  Gipsy,  414- 
He  'cused  me  o'  playin'  Ananias  and 
Sapphira— pinchin'  the  REGULARS  as  we 
call  it.  Ibid.,  418.  I  touched  two-thirds 
and  Nat  and  Alf  napped  their  REGULARS. 


Regulator. 


12 


Relish. 


2.  (colloquial). — (i)  A  person 
keeping  stated  times  or  doing 
regular  duty ;  (2)  anything  re- 
curring periodically  :  as  a  daily 
passenger,  a  drink  taken  at  fixed 
hours,  &c. 

1397.  THIRNYNG,  in  Rolls  of  Parlia- 
ment [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  181.  He 
uses  rewelers  for  REGULARS,  speaking  of 
the  clergy]. 

1858.  PRATT,  Ten  Nights  in  a  Bar- 
room, ii.  i.  I've  been  in  the  habit  of 
taking  my  REGULARS  ever  since  I  was 
weaned. 

1888.  GOULD,  Double  Event,  23. 
He  had  his  breakfast  before  the  REGULARS 
came  down. 

Adj.  (colloquial). — Thorough  ; 
out-and-out  :  as  a  REGULAR 
tartar  =  a  shrew  (male  or  female)  ; 
a  REGULAR  sell  =  a  consummate 
swindle  ;  a  REGULAR  corpser  =  a 
knock-out  blow ;  a  REGULAR 
pelter  =  a  cat-and-dog  rain  ;  a 
REGULAR  crow  =  a  person  dis- 
mally garbed. 

1850.  SMEDLEV,  Frank  Fairlegh, 
403.  Our  fine  letter's  been  no  go, — turned 
out  a  REGULAR  sell,  you  see,  eh  ? 

1888.  Comhill  Mag.,  March,  228. 
If  Joanna  was  ever  so  blessed  as  to  hear 
her  sing  '  Hoop  la  ! '  it  would  be  a  REGULAR 
eye-opener  to  her. 

REGULATOR,  subs,  (venery). — i. 
The  female  pudendum:  see  MO- 
NOSYLLABLE. 

2.  (Western  American). — In 
//.  =  a  band  of  lynchers  ;  a 

VIGILANCE     COMMITTEE     (q.V.}. 

See  RUSTLER. 

1892.  Scotsman,  7  May,  '  Rustlers 
and  REGULATORS.'  By  this  band  the  REGU- 
LATORS were  besieged  for  about  three  days 
at  the  "Ta"  ranche,  where  they  had 
strongly  entrenched  themselves. 

REHOBOAM,  subs.  (old). — i.  See 
quot. 


1849.  BRONTE,  Shirley,  i.  The  whole 
surmounted  by  a  REHOBOAM,  or  shovel- 
hat,  which  he  did  not  seem  to  think  it 
necessary  to  lift. 

2.  (common).  —  A  quadruple 
MAGNUM  (y.v.) ;  a  double  JERO- 
BOAM (q.v.):  usually  of  champagne. 

REIGN,  verb.  (Australian  thieves'). 
— To  be  at  liberty. 

RELATION.  See  AVUNCULAR  RE- 
LATION. 

RELIEVE,  verb,  (common). — To 
ease,  (i)  the  bowels,  (2)  the  ttstes, 
and  (3)  sexual  desire. 

1868.  HALL  [LYNDESAY,  Works 
(E.  E.  T.  S.),  347,  Magin].  He  sees  her 
come  quietly  into  his  bedroom,  scans  her 
unconcealed  charms  with  great  relish,  and 
grows  amorous,  .  .  .  and  will  die,  unless 
she  RELIEVES  him. 

RELIEVER,  subs.  (old). — See  quot. 

1850.  KINGSLEY,  Cheap  Clothes  ana 
Nasty.     In  some  sweating  places  there  is 
an  old  coat  kept  called  the  RELIEVER,  and 
this  is  borrowed  by  such  men  as  have  none 
of  their  own  to  go  out  in. 

RELIEVING-OFFICER,  subs.  phr. — 
See  quot. 

1883.  GRENVILLE-MURRAY,  People  I 
Have  Met,  227.  Now  the  RELIEVING 
OFFICER,  or,  for  brevity's  sake,  the  "  R. 
O.,"  was  a  term  of  endearment  which  the 
Honourable  Felix,  in  common  with  other 
young  noblemen  and  gentlemen  at  Eton, 
applied  to  his  father. 

RELIGION.  To  GET  RELIGION, 
verb.  phr.  (American). — To  be 
'converted.' 

RELIGIOUS,  adj.  (Western  Ameri- 
can).— i.  Free  from  vice  :  speci- 
fically of  horses ;  and  (2)  of  a 
horse  given  to  going  on  his  knees  : 
see  DEVOTIONAL  HABITS. 

RELISH,  subs.  (old). — '  Carnal  con- 
nection with  a  woman'  (GROSE) : 
see  GREENS  and  RIDE. 


Remainder. 

— -  '  -        .. 

REMAINDER,  subs,  (booksellers').— 
I.  The  unsold  part  of  an  edition 
bought  to  be  re-sold  at  a  reduced 
price. 

.  1889.  Athenceum  [Century],  His 
mam  dealings  .  .  .  having  been  in  RE- 
MAINDERS, and  his  one  solitary  publica- 
tion a  failure. 

2.  (publicans').  — The  drainings 
of  pots  and  glasses  :  see  ALL 
NATIONS. 

REMEDY,  subs.  (Winchester).— i. 
A  holiday  :  cf.  WORK  ( =  pain) 
and  REMI. 

^.1519.     COLET,  Statu  tes  of  St.  Pauls 
School.     I  will  also  that  they  shall  have 
no  REMEDYES  .  .  .  excepte  the  Kynge  .  . 
desire  it. 

1530.  MAGNUS,  Endowment  Deed. 
Newark  Grammar  School.  Thomas  Mag- 
nus ordeyneth  .  .  .  that  the  said  maisters 
shall  not  be  myche  inclyned  ...  to  graunt 
REMEDY  for  Recreacyon. 

1593.  Rites  Durham  Cath.  [SuRTEES 
Soc.].  There  was  ...  a  garding  and  a 
bowling  allie  ...  for  the  Novices  sume- 
tymes  to  recreate  themselves  when  they 
had  REMEDY  of  there  master. 

£.1840.  MANSFIELD,  School  Life,  49. 
REMEDYS  were  a  kind  of  mitigated  whole 
holiday. 

1891.  WRENCH,  Word-Book,  s.v. 
REMEDY  .  .  .  Remedium  seems  to  have 
been  the  original  word  for  holiday  :  trans- 
lated REMEDY  .  .  .  The  tradition  of 
REMEDIES  being  granted  by  great  persons 
survives  in  the  custom  of  the  Judges  on 


Circuit  demanding  a  Half-REMEDY. 

2.  (Old  Cant).— A  sovereign; 
2O/-  :  see  RHINO. 

REMEDY-CRITCH,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  chamber-pot :  see  IT. 

REMEMBER.    See   PARSON    MEL- 
DRUM. 

REMI,  subs.  (Westminster  School). 
— A  holiday :  cf.  REMEDY. 


'3  Rep. 

' : 

REM-IN-RE,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial) 
—The  deed  of  kind  ;  copulation. 

TO  BE  CAUGHT  WITH  REM-IN- 
RE  =  to  be  taken  in  the  act. 

RENOVATOR,    subs,    (tailors').  —  A 
repairing  tailor  :  cf.  TRANSLATOR. 

RENT,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— Plunder; 

booty.  TO  COLLECT  RENT  =  to 
rob  travellers  on  the  highway 
(BEE).  Hence,  RENT-COLLECTOR 
=  a  highwayman  :  specifically 
one  whose  fancy  was  for  money 
only. 

RENTS  COMING  IN,  phr.  (old 
colloquial).--Dilapidated ;  ragged. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  PoliteConversation, 
i.  I  have  torn  my  Petticoat  with  your 
odious  Romping  ;  my  RENTS  ARE  COMING 
IN  ;  I'm  afraid,  I  shall  fall  into  the  Rae- 
man's  Hands. 

To  PAY  ONE'S  RENT,  verb.  phr. 
(old). — To  PUNISH  (<?.v.);  'to 
PAY  out'  (q.V.). 

nr    I37°'    rP°m'     Rick'     Cotr    de    Lion 

[WEBER]  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  86. 
Richard  PAYS  THE  Saracens  their  RENT  • 
like  our  "give  them  their  bellyfull."] 

REP,  subs,  (old).— i.  A  woman  of 
reputation  (GROSE)  :  whence  (2) 
a  harlot :  a  woman  of  a  certain 
reputation  :  also  demi-rep  :  cf. 
RIP.  Also  as  in  quot.  1732,  short 
for  '  repute.' 

1721.  DURFEY,  Two  Queens  oj 
Brentford,  i.  Flower'd  callicoes  that  fill 
our  shoars,  And  worn  by  dames  of  REP',  as 
well  as  whores. 

1732.  FIELDING,  Covent  Garden 
Tragedy,  13.  Nor  modesty,  nor  pride, 
nor  fear,  nor  REP  ;  Shall  now  forbid  this 
tender,  chaste  embrace. 

'PoN  (or  ON)  REP,  phr.  (old). — 
'  Upon  my  reputation.' 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
i.  Lady  Smart.  What !  .  .  .  Do  you 
say  it  UPON  REP  ?  Neverout.  Poz,  I  saw 
her  with  my  own  Eyes. 


Repairs. 


Responsions. 


1713.  ADDISON,  Spectator,  135. 
Some  of  our  words  ...  in  familiar  writ- 
ings and  conversations  .  .  .  often  lose  all 
but  their  first  syllables,  as  in  mob,  REP, 
pos,  incog,  and  the  like. 

3.  (Harrow). — A  repetition. 

1892.  ANSTEY,  Voces  Populi  'At  the 
Regent  Street  Tuzsanefs,'  65.  It's  not  in 
Selections  from  British  Poetry,  which  we 
have  to  get  up  for  REP. 

REPAIRS.  No  REPAIRS, phr.  (com- 
mon).— Said  of  a  reckless  con- 
test ;  neck  or  nought. 

See  ROAD. 

REPARTEE,  subs,  (old  :  now  recog- 
nised).— '  A  sudden  smart  Reply.' 
— B.  E.  (^.1696). 

REPEATER,  subs.  (American  poli- 
tical).— An  elector  voting  twice 
on  the  same  qualification. 

REPORTER,  subs,  (old  Irish). — A 
duelling  pistol  :  see  MEAT-IN- 

THE-POT. 

1827.  JONAH  HARRINGTON,  Personal 
Sketches  (1869),  i.  288.  A  tolerable  chance 
of  becoming  acquainted  with  my  friend's 
REPORTERS  (the  pet  name  for  hair-triggers). 
Idem,  288-9.  I  have  this  moment  sent  to 
the  mail  coach-office  two  bullet-moulds, 
not  being  certain  which  of  them  belongs  to 

the  REPORTERS. 

1865.  Cornhill  Mag.,  xi.  166.  In 
those  days  Irish  gentlemen  always  carried 
their  REPORTERS  or  pistols  with  them. 

R  E  POSER,  subs,  (common). — A  final 
drink  ;  a  NIGHTCAP  (g.v.). 

REPTILE,  subs.  (American  cadet). — 
i.  A  new  cadet :  cf.  RABID- 
BEAST. 

2.  (colloquial). — A  degraded 
wretch ;  a  baseling.  Hence 
REPTILE  PRESS  =  the  hireling 
press. 

REPUBLICAN,  subs,  (old  colloquial : 
now  recognised). — 'A  Common- 
wealths-man.'— B.  E.  (^.1696). 


REPUBLIC  OF  LETTERS,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — The  post-office. — BEE. 

REQUISITION,  verb.  (American 
military). — To  take  by  force  : 
now  recognised. 

1864.  SAL  A  [Daily  Telegraph,  2 
Aug.,  ['America  in  the  Midst  of  War']. 
Nothing  too  small  to  be  annexed.  From 
a  hundred  thousand  dollar  REQUISITION  on 
the  Municipality  of  a  Country  Town  to  a 
basket  of  eggs  and  a  housewife's  fresh 
butter. 

1871.  Morning  Advertiser,  i  Feb. 
We  have  all  heard  of  General  Butler,  We 
know  "how  Providence  plesht  him  mit 
teapots  and  shpoons"  whilst  he  was  RE- 
QUISITIONING down  south. 

RE- RAW,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
drinking  bout ;  drunk. 

RESERVOIR.  Au  RESERVOIR,  phr. 
(common). — 'Au  revoir.' 

1897.  MITFORD,  Romance  of  Cape 
Frontier,  i.  v.  "  '  Au  RESEVOIR,'  for  your 
way,  I  believe,  lies  past  the  dam." 

RESIDENTIAL  -  CLUB,  subs.  phr. 
(common). — An  habitual  assem- 
blage of  loafers :  spec,  a  crew  of 
idlers,  male  and  female,  frequent- 
ing the  reading-room  of  the 
British  Museum  for  the  sake  of 
shelter  and  warmth. 

RESPECTABLE,  adj.  (colloquial). — 
Chaste  ;  decent. 

1857.  DICKENS,  Little  Dorrit,  I.  35. 
Something  must  be  done  with  Maggy  .  .  . 
who  .  .  .  is — ha — barely  respectable. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xxvii. 
Some  .  .  .  bear  it  in  silence,  feeling  that 
it  is  the  price  of  'keeping  RESPECTABLE.' 

RESPOND,  verb,  (venery). — To 
share  the  sexual  spasm ;  TO 
COME  (q.V.\ 

RESPONSIONS,  subs.  (Oxford). — 
The  first  examination  for  candi- 
dates for  the  B.A.  degree. 

1888.  LANG,  XXII.  Ballades  in  Blue 
China,  '  Ballad  of  the  Midsummer  Term.' 
When  Lent  and  RESPONSIONS  are  ended. 


Respun. 


Revel-dash. 


RESPUN,  verb,  (tinkers').  —  To 
steal :  see  PRIG. 

REST.  AND  THE  REST?  phr. 
(common). — A  retort  to  anything 
incomplete,  or  in  which  something 
is  being  kept  back. 

REST-AND-BE-THANKFUL     (THE), 

subs.  phr.  (venery). — See  MONO- 
SYLLABLE. 

RESTY,  adj.  and  adv.  (old). — 
'  Head-strong,  Wayward,  Un- 
ruly, Masterless.'— B.  E.  (^.1696). 

RESURRECTION,  subs.  phr. — A  dish 
made  of  remains :  also  RESUR- 
RECTION-PIE. 

1884.  Cornhill Mag.,  April,  438.  He 
gave  us  RESURRECTION-PIE;  He  called  it 
beef-steak — O  my  eye  1 

RESURRECTIONIST  (or  RESURREC- 
TION-MAN, -COVE,  -WOMAN), 
subs.  phr.  (old:  now  rare). — I. 
A  body-snatcher.  Whence  RE- 
SURRECTION-RIG =  body-snatch- 
ing. —  PARKER,  GROSE,  and 
VAUX. 

1814.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering  .  .  . 
RESURRECTION  WOMEN,  who  had  promised 
to  procure  a  child's  body  for  some  young 
snrgeons. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  i. 
The  slavey  and  her  master— the  surgeon 
and  the  RESURRECTION-MAN—  .  .  .  they 
are  "all  there." 

1859.  DICKENS,  Tale  of  Two  Cities, 
ii.  xiv.  "Father,"  said  Young  Jerry, 
"what's  a  RESURRECTION  MAN?  .  .  . 
"Oh,  father,  I  should  so  like  to  be^  a 
RESURRECTION  MAN  when  I'm  quite 
growed  up." 

1862.  MAYHEW,  Lon.  Lab.,  iv.  26. 
Those  who  steal  dead  bodies— as  the 
RESURRECTIONISTS. 

1865.  MACDONALD,  Alec  Forbes, 
Ixvii.  The  RESURRECTIONISTS  were  at 
their  foul  work,  and  the  graveyard,  the 
place  of  repose,  was  itself  no  longer  a 
sanctuary ! 


1896.  J.  B.  BAILEY,  Diary  of  a 
RESURRECTIONIST,  vii.  The  information 
concerning  the  RESURRECTION  MEN  is 
very  scattered.  Idem,  p.  137.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  RESURRECTIONIST  business 
up  to  the  time  of  the  passing  of  the 
Anatomy  Act.  Et  passim. 

RESURRECTIONISTS  (THE),  subs. 
(military).— The  Buffs  (East  Kent 
Regiment).  [From  a  rally  at 
Albuera  after  dispersal  at  the 
hands  of  the  Polish  Lancers.] 
Also  "The  Buff  Howards"; 
"  The  Nutcrackers"  ;  and  "  The 
Old  Buffs." 

RES-WORT,  subs.  phr.  (back  slang). 
— Trousers :  see  KICKS. 

RETOURE.    See  TOURE. 

RETURNED  -  EMPTY,  subs.  phr. 
(clerical). — A  colonial  missionary 
preferred  to  a  place  at  home. 

1899.  Daily  Telegraph,  27  Jan.,  4,  5. 
There  are  two  classes  of  RETURNED 
EMPTIES,  those  who  are  called  home  to 
receive  dignities  and  those  who  are  not. 
Taken  in  the  lump,  a  returned  missionary 
does  not  turn  out  a  good  parish  priest, 
but  he  generally  turns  out  an  admirable 
dignitary. 

RET-SIO,  subs.  phr.  (back  slang). — 
An  oyster  :  RET-SIOS  =  oysters. 

REVELATION,  subs.  (American). — A 
drink;  a  GO  (q.v.). 

18  [?].  S.  COURIER,  Hard  and  Fast. 
Will  you  have  a  REVELATION,  Mr.  Jones, 
an  outpouring  of  the  spirit — Monongahela 
or  brandy — I've  got  'em  both  ? 

1863.  ARTEMUS  WARD,  Brigham 
Young.  Smith  used  to  have  his  little 
REVELATION  almost  every  day — sometimes 
two  before  dinner.  Brigham  Young  only 
takes  one  once  in  a  while. 

REVEL-DASH  (or  -ROUT),  subs, 
phr.  (old).— (i)  A  rough,  noisy, 
and  indecent  gathering  or  carouse. 
REVEL-ROUT  also  =  a  company 

of  SPREESTERS  (q.V.). 


Revenge. 


16 


Rex. 


1591.     SPENSER,  Mother  Hub.   Tale, 

1.  558.     Then  made  they  REVELL  ROUTE 
and  goodly  glee. 

</.i592.  GREENE,  Works,  i.  175.  Have 
a  flurt  and  a  crash,  Now  play  REVELDASH. 

1613.  PURCHAS,  Pilgrimage,  430. 
Laughing,  singing,  dauncing  in  honour  of 
that  God.  After  all  this  REUEL-ROUT 
they  demaund  againe  of  the  Demoniake  if 
the  God  be  appeased. 

1619.  FLETCHER,  Monsieur  Thomas, 
p.  465.  There  is  a  strange  thing  like  a 
gentlewoman,  Like  mistress  Dorothy  (I 
think  the  fiend),  Crept  into  the  nunnery, 
we  know  not  which  way,  Plays  REVEL- 
ROUT  among  us. 

c.i62o.  Fryar  and  Boye,  ii.  We'll 
break  your  spell  Reply'd  the  REVEL-ROUT. 

</.i625.  ROWLANDS,  Hist.  Rogues 
[RiBTON-TuRNER,  582],  They  chose  a 
notable  swaggering  rogue  called  Puffing 
Dicke  to  reuell  over  them,  who  plaid 
REVELL-ROUT  with  them  indeede. 

1632.     BROME,  Queen's  Exchange,  ii. 

2.  Wilt  thou  forsake  us,   Jeffrey  ?  then 
who  shall  daunce  The  hobby  horse  at  our 
next  REVEL  ROUT. 

1707.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  n.  v.  16. 
Amongst  the  rest  o'  th'  REVEL  ROUT,  Two 
crazy  Watchmen  crawl'd  about. 

1713.  ROWE,  Jane  Shore,  \.  i.  "My 
brother — rest  and  pardon  to  his  soul — Is 
gone  to  his  account :  for  this,  his  minion, 
The  REVEL-ROUT  is  done." 


REVENGE,  subs,  (common).  —  An 
opportunity  for  recouping  or 
retaliation. 

1710.  SWIFT,  Pol.  Conv.,  iii.  Lady 
Smart.  Well,  Miss,  you'll  have  a  sad 
husband,  you  have  such  good  luck  at 
cards.  Miss.  Well,  my  Lady  Smart,  I'll 
give  you  REVENGE  whenever  you  please. 

REVENGE  IN  LAVENDER,  phr. 
(old). — A  vengeance  in  store;  a 

ROD    IN    PICKLE    (q.V.). — B.    E. 

(^.1696);  GROSE  (1785). 
REVERENCE.  See  SIR  REVERENCE. 

REVERENT,  adj.  (American). — See 
quot. 


1886.  American  Slang  [The  State, 
20  May,  217].  A  whisky  or  brandy  which 
is  held  in  merited  respect  for  very  superior 
potency  is  entitled  REVERENT,  from  the 
same  kind  of  fancy  which  led  the  Scotch 
to  call  a  whisky  -jar  '  a  greybeard.' 

REVERSED,  adj.  (old).—  'A  Man 
set  (by  Bullies)  on  his  Head,  and 
his  Money  turn'd  out  of  his 
Breeches.'  —  B.  E.  and  GROSE. 

REVIEW.  REVIEW  OF  THE  BLACK 
CUIRASSIERS,  subs.  phr.  (old).  — 
A  visitation  of  the  clergy.  — 
GROSE. 

REVIVER,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
drink  ;  a  PICK-ME-UP  (y.v.)  ;  a 

GO  (q.V.). 

1876.  BESANT  and  RICE,  Golden 
Butterfly.  It  was  but  twelve  o'clock,  and 
therefore  early  for  REVIVERS  of  any  sort. 

2.  (common).  —  A  mending 
tailor  :  cf.  TRANSLATOR.  Hence, 
as  verb.  =  to  mend  ;  to  patch. 

1864.  The    Times,    2nd  Nov.     RE- 
VIVERS, who  rejuvenate  seedy  black  coats, 
and,  for  the  moment,  make  them  look  as 
good  as  new. 

1865.  CasseUs  Paper,  Article,  'Old 
CloV    They  are  now  past   'clobbering,1 
'REVIVING,'  or  'translating.' 

REV-LIS,  subs,  (back  slang).  —  Silver. 

REWARD,  subs,  (kennel).  —  Supper: 
specifically  the  blood  and  entrails 
of  the  quarry.  —B.  E.  (^.1696). 

REX.  To  PLAY  REX,  verb.  phr. 
(old).  —  To  handle  roughly  and 
terribly  ;  to  PLAY  HELL  WITH 


1586.  WARNER,  Alb.,  i.  vi.  22.  With 
these  did  Hercules  PLAY  REX  .  .  .  Not 
one  escapes  his  deadly  hand  that  dares  to 
show  his  head. 

1599.  BRETON,  Dream  of  Sir.  Effects^ 
17.  Love  with  Rage  KEPT  such  a  REAKES 
that  I  thought  they  would  have  gone  mad 
together. 


Rheumatism. 


Rhino. 


1599.  BRETON,  Dream  of  Strange 
Effects ,  17.  Love  and  Rage  kept  such  a 
REAKES  that  I  thought  they  would  have 
gone  mad  together. 

^.1509.  SPENSER,  View  of  Ireland^ 
445.  Thinke  it  to  be  the  greatest  indignity 
to  the  queene  that  may  be,  to  suffer  such  a 
caytiffe  to  PLAY  such  REX. 

1605.  SYLVESTER,  Du  Bartas,  504. 
Then  PLAIES  he  REX,  tears,  kils,  and  all 
consumes. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Faire  le 
diable  de  Vauvdt  To  keepe  an  old  coyle, 
horrible,  bustling,  terrible  swaggering  ;  to 
PLAY  monstrous  REAKS,  or  raks-jakes. 

1616.  Court  and  Times  Chas,  /.,  i. 
256.  Then  came  the  English  ordnance, 
which  had  been  brought  to  land,  TO  PLAY 
SUCH  REAKS  among  the  horse  that  they 
were  forced  to  fly. 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Sea  Voyage^  iv.  n. 
In  that  rage  (for  they  are  violent  fellows) 
they  play  such  REAKS  ! 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  HI.  ii. 
PLAYING  REEKS  with  the  high  and  stately 
timber,  and  preparing  .  .  .  for  the  eve  of 
the  great  Day  of  Judgment. 

1655.  FANSHAWE,  Luciad,  x.  65. 
With  fire  and  sword  he  overcomes  and 
breaks ;  In  Beadala  shall  his  blade  PLAY 
REX. 

RHEUMATISM  IN  THE  SHOULDER, 

subs.  phr.  (common). — Arrest. — 
GROSE. 


RHINO,  subs,  (old).— Money  : 
generic ;  specifically  ready  money. 
— B.  E.  (^.1696) ;  DYCHE(i748) ; 
GROSE  (1785).  Whence  RHINO- 
FAT  (or  RHINOCERAL)  =  rich. 

SYNONYMS. — Generic.  Actual; 
ballast ;  beans ;  bit  (bite  or  byte) ; 
blunt ;  brads ;  brass  ;  bustle ; 
Californians  ;  captain  (the)  ;  cara- 
van ;  change  ;  charms  ;  checks ; 
chink  ;  chinkers  ;  chips  ;  clink ; 
coal  (or  cole) ;  COD  (q.v.) ;  coin  ; 
coliander-seeds ;  coppers  ;  cork  ; 
corn  in  Egypt ;  crap  (or  crop) ; 
crisp  ;  cuckoos  ;  darby  ;  delog 
(back  slang) ;  dibs  ;  dimmock ;  di- 
narly  (or  dinarlies) ;  dingbat  ;  dirt  j 


dollars ;  dooteroomus  (or  doot)  ; 
dots  ;     ducats ;     dues  ;    dumps  ; 
dust  ;    dye-stuffs  ;     evil    (the)  ; 
family-plate;  fat ;  feathers  ;  flimsy 
(or  flim)  ;  flour ;  gent ;  gilt  (gelt, 
gelter,  or  gilt-tick) ;  gingerbread  ; 
gingleboys;  ginglers;  glanthorne; 
goree;  greed;  grocery;  HADDOCK 
(q.v.);    hard;    hardstuff;    hen; 
honey ;   horsenails ;  hoxters   (or 
huxters)  ;  iron  ;  jink  ;  John  (John 
Davis  or  ready-John)  ;  kelter  (or 
kilter)  ;  King's  (or  Queen's  pic- 
tures) ;    lawful    pictures ;    legem 
pone  ;   leaver  ;    lour  (or  loure)  ; 
£  s.   d.  ;    lurries  ;    mammon  ; 
metal ;  mopusses  ;  mouldy-'uns  ; 
moss  ;  muck ;  needful ;  nobbings  ; 
nonsense ;  nuggets  ;  ochre  ;  oil  of 
angels  ;  oil  of  palms  ;   ointment ; 
old  ;  oof  (or  ooftish  :  Yiddish) ; 
paint  ;   palm-oil ;  pan  ;  pap  (cf. 
SOFT)  ;  paper;  pee;  penny  ;  pew- 
ter ;  pieces ;  pile  ;  plate  ;  plums ; 
pocket;  pony;  portcullis;  posh; 
pot  ;   powder  ;    prey  ;     PUNCH- 
ABLE   (q.v.)  ;      purse  ;     queer  ; 
quids ;  rags  ;  ready  (ready-gilt  or 
ready-John) ;  redge  (or  ridge)  ; 
reek  ;   regulars  ;    ribbon ;    ring  ; 
rivets  ;  root  of  all  evil ;  rowdy  ; 
salt ;    sawdust ;  scads  ;  screens ; 
screeves  ;    scuds  ;  shadscales  (or 
scales) ;   shan  ;  shekels ;  shells ; 
shigs  ;     shiners  ;    shot  ;     shin- 
plasters  (or  plasters) ;  sinews  of 
war  ;    skin  ;    soap  ;    soft ;    soft- 
flimsy  (base) ;  Spanish  ;  spanks  ; 
spankers  ;  spondulicks ;    spoon  ; 
stamps  ;   steven ;   stevers  ;  stiff ; 
stuff ;  stumpy  ;  sugar  ;  tin ;  tea- 
spoons ;    tow;    wad;    wedge; 
wherewith     (or     wherewithal)  ; 
yellowboys  ;       yennoms      (back 
slang).    £1,000,000  =  marigold. 
£100,000  =  plum.     £1,000  = 
cow.     £500  =  monkey.    £100 
=  century.    £25  =  pony.     £10 
=  double-finnup  ;  long-tailed  fin- 
nup   (also    of    notes    of  higher 


Rhino. 


18 


Rhino. 


values) ;  tenner.  £5  =  ABRA- 
HAM NEWLAND  (g.v.)  ;  finnup  ; 
fiver ;  flimsy  ;  lil  (or  lill)  ;  Mar- 
shall ;  pinnif.  £1  (and  in  many 
eases  formerly  =  £1  Is)  = 

bean  (or  bien) ;  bleeder  ;  canary ; 
chip  ;  couter  (or  cooter) ;  dragon ; 
dunop ;  foont ;  George  (or  yellow- 
George)  ;  gingleboy  ;  glistener ; 
goblin  ;  goldfinch  ;  harlequin  ; 
horse  -  sovereign  ;  illegitimate  ; 
Jack  ;  James  ;  Jane  ;  Jemmy- 
o'-Goblin  (rhyming)  ;  job  (or 
jobe)  ;  meg  (cf.  mag  =  Jd)  ; 
monarch ;  mousetrap ;  ned  (or 
neddy) ;  new-hat ;  nob  ;  old  Mr. 
Gory  ;  ponte  ;  poona  ;  quid  ; 
red-'un ;  remedy  ;  ridge  (or 
redge) ;  shiner  ;  skin  ;  skiv  ; 
stranger;  strike;  thick-'un  (also 
°f  5/')  >  yellow-boy  ;  yellow- 
hammer.  10s  =  half-bean ;  half- 
couter  ;  half-Jack  :  half -James  ; 
half- Jane  ;  half-ned  (or  -neddy) ; 
net-gen  ;  smelt ;  young  illegiti- 
mate. 7s  =  spangle.  6s  6d 
=  George.  5s  3d  =  whore's 
curse.  5S  =  bull  (or  bull's-eye) ; 
caroon;  cart-wheel;  coach- wheel; 
case  ;  caser  ;  decus  ;  dollar  ; 
hind  coach  (or  cart)  wheel  ; 
Oxford  ;  thick-'un  ;  tusheroon  ; 
wheel.  2s  6d  =  coach-wheel ; 
five-pot  piece ;  flatch ;  fore-coach- 
wheel  ;  George ;  half-case ;  half- 
dollar  ;  half-Oxford  ;  half-yenork; 
madza-caroon  ;  slat.  2s  =  half- 
dollar.  Is  6d  =  hog  and  a  kye. 
IS  l^d  =  loonslate  (or  loonslatt) ; 
hangman's  wages.  Is  =  Abra- 
ham's willing  (rhyming)  ;  blow  ; 
bob;  bobstick;  borde ;  breaky- 
leg  ;  button  ;  deaner  (or  deener) ; 
gen  ;  generalise  ;  grunter  ;  hog  ; 
jogue  ;  levy  ;  lilywhite-groat  ; 
Manchester  sovereign  ;  mejoge ; 
north-easter ;  oner  ;  peg  ;  teviss ; 
thirteener  ;  touch-me  ;  twelver. 
10d  =  dacha-saltee  ;  jumper. 
9d  =  ill-fortune ;  picture  of  ill- 


luck.  6d  =  bandy  ;  bender  ; 
cripple  ;  croaker  ;  crook  ;  crook- 
back  ;  deaner  ;  downer  ;  fiddle  ; 
fiddler  ;  fyebuck ;  goddess  Diana ; 
griff-metol ;  grunter ;  half-borde ; 
half-hog  ;  hog ;  kick  ;  kye  ;  lord- 
of-the-manor ;  northeaster  ;  pig  ; 
pot ;  sice  ;  simon  ;  snide  ;  sow's- 
baby  ;  sprat ;  syebuck  ;  tanner  ; 
tester  ;  tilbury  ;  tizzy.  5d  — 
cinqua  soldi  ;  kid's-eye.  4d  = 
castle-rag  ;  flag  ;  groat ;  joe  (or 
joey).  3d  =  currants-and-plums; 
threps  ;  threeswins ;  thrums.  2d 
=  dace  ;  deuce  ;  duce.  Id  =  D  ; 
dibblish  ;  George  ;  harper  ;  pol- 
lard ;  saltee  ;  win  ;  yennep.  |d 
=  flatch  ;  madza-saltee  ;  Maggie 
Rab  (or  Robb)  ;  magpie ;  make 
(magg  or  mec) ;  post  ;  rap  ; 
scurrick  ;  tonic.  |d  =  Covent- 
garden  ;  fadge  ;  farden  ;  fiddler  ; 
gennitraf ;  grig  ;  Harrington  ;  jig 
(or  gigg)  ;  quartereen  ;  scrope. 

Base  coin  or  trick  pieces  = 

cap;  cover-down ;  dandy ;  double- 
header  ;  flats ;  fleet-note  ;  fletch 
(or  flatch)  ;  gaffing-coin ;  galley- 
halfpenny  ;  gammy  lour  ;  gray  ; 
hard  ;  hardware  ;  kone  ;  mopus  ; 
pony  ;  queer  ;  soft-flimsy ;  snide ; 
stumer. 

FRENCH  SYNONYMS. — Generic. 
Achetoires  ;  affure  ;  artiche  ; 
atout ;  bathe  ;  beurre  ;  bille  ; 
braise  ;  carme ;  ce  gut  se  pousse  ; 
de  quoi  ;  douille  ;  foin  ;  galette  ; 
galtos  ;  graisse  ;  graissage  ;  gras  ; 
huile  ;  huile  de  mains  ;  jaunets  ; 
(or  jauniau) ;  mttal ;  miche  (or 
miche  de  profonde)  ;  monaco  ; 
mornifle;  morlingue;  morninguc; 
mouscai lions  ;  nerf  ;  noyaux  ; 
oignons  ;  os  ;  oscille ;  patards  ; 
pecune  ;  ptpettes  ;  pedzale ;  pese 
(or  phe) ;  picaillons  ;  piesto  ; 
pimpions  j  pldtrc  ;  plombes  ; 
pognon  (or  poignon)  ;  pouiffe  ; 
poussier  ;  quantum  ;  quibus  ; 


Rhody. 


Ribald. 


ronds  ;  rouis  caillons  ;  rubis  ; 
sable  ;  sauvette  ;  sine  qud  non  ; 
sitnomen  ;  soldats ;  sonnettes  ; 
sous  ;  thTine  (or  tune)  ;  vaisselle 
de  poche  ;  zinc. 

ITALIAN  SYNONYMS. — Generic. 
Agresto  ( =  sour  grapes) ;  albume; 
argume  ;  asta  (or  asti)  ;  brunotti ; 
contramiglia  ;  cucchi  ;  lugani  ; 
penne  ;  smilzi  ;  squame. 

SPANISH  SYNONYMS. — Gene- 
ric. Amigos  ( =  friends) ;  caire  ; 
florin;  lana ;  lozurraco ;  mo- 
rusa  j  mosca  ;  numerario  ;  plume 
( =  feathers)  ;  sangrt  ( =  blood)  ; 
d  toca  teja  ;  unguento  (or  unguento 
de  Mejica}. 

1670.  Old  Ballad,  'The  Seaman's 
Adieu'  {Notes  and  Queries,  7  S.,  v.  417]. 
Some  as  I  know,  Have  parted  with  their 
ready  RING. 

1688.  SHADWELL,  Sq.  of  Alsatia,  i. 
Cole  is,  in  the  language  of  the  witty, 
money ;  the  ready,  the  RHINO.  Thou 
shall  be  RHINO-CERICAL,  my  lad. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
139.  For  getting  RHINO  here's  the  spot. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingold.  Leg.  (Sir 
Rupert  the  Fearless).  And  to  sum  up 
the  whole,  in  the  shortest  phrase  I  know, 
Beware  of  the  Rhine,  and  take  care  of  the 
RHINO  ! 

1848.  LOWELL,  Biglow  Papers,  i  S., 
Intro.  A  gold  mine  .  .  .  Containing 
heaps  heaps  of  native  RHINO. 

1899.  Scarlet  City,  65.  He  added, 
throwing  a  sovereign  on  the  table,  '  Split 
up  that  bit  of  RHINO." 

RHODY  (LITTLE),  subs.phr.  (Ameri- 
can). _  The  State  of  Rhode 
Island  :  the  smallest  in  the  Union. 

RHYME-SLINGER,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  poet. 

RHYMING  SLANG.— A  method  of 
indicating  words  by  a  rhyming 
or  quasi-rhyming  substitute ;  e.g. , 
ABRAHAM'S  WILLING  =  shilling  ; 
STAND  -  AND  -  SHIVER  =  river  ; 


ELEPHANT'S  TRUNK  =  drunk  ; 
PENNY-COME-QUICK  =  trick;  and 
so  forth.  First  in  vogue  during 
the  late  Fifties,  but  artistically 
developed  of  late  years  by  The 
Sporting  Times  or  Pink  'Un. 
With  use  the  rhyme  has  been 
suppressed  by  experts  :  e.g.>  FM- 
SO-FRISKY  =  whiskey  becomes 
FM-SO,  while  FLOUNDER-AND- 
DAB  =  cab  is  merely  FLOUNDER. 

RIB,  subs,  (common). — i.  A  wife  : 
whence  CROOKED  RIB  =  a  cross- 
grained  wife. — GROSE  (1785). 
See  DUTCH. 

1609.  HALL,  Soloman's  Divine  A  rts. 
How  many  have  we  known  whose  heads 
have  been  broken  by  their  own  RIB. 

1632.  JONSON,  Magnetic  Lady,  ii.  i. 
An  ample  portion  for  a  younger  brother, 
With  a  soft,  tender,  delicate  RIB  of  man's 
flesh. 

1707.  FARQUHAR,  Beaux' Stratagem, 
v.  Mrs.  Sullen.  Spouse  !  Squire  Sul. 
RIB. 

1732.    FIELDING,  Mock  Doctor,  i. 
Go  thrash  your  own  RIB,  Sir,  at  home. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
133.  Your  dunder-pate  Shan't  use  your 
RIB  at  such  a  rate. 

1857.  TROLLOPS,  Three  Clerks,  xlvi. 
Half  a  dozen  married  couples  all  separat- 
ing, getting  rid  of  their  RIBS  and  buckling 
again,  helter-skelter,  every  man  to  some- 
body else's  wife. 

2.  (common). — In//.  =  a  stout 
person. 

See  DEVIL'S  BONES. 

RIBALD  (RIBOLD  or  RIBAUD),  subs. 
(old  colloquial  :  long  recognised). 
— A  profligate,  male  or  female ; 
spec,  (a)  a  harlot,  and  (b)  a  PONCE 

(q.V.)  Or  MUTTON-MONGER  (q.V.). 

Whence  RIBALDRY  (RIBAUDRY, 
or  RIBBLE-RABBLE)  =  (i)  inde- 
cency, *  profligate  talk'  (GROSE), 
and  (2)  the  mob,  the  scum  of 
of  society ;  RIBAUDOUR  =  a  re- 
tailer of  SMUT  (q.V.}  J  RIBALDIST 


Ribald. 


20 


Rib-roast. 


(RIBAUDROUS,  or  RIBAUDRED)  = 
whorish,  whoreson,  filthy  and  the 
like;  RIBBLE-ROW  =  (i)  a  list  of 
the  rabble  :  whence  (2)  an  inven- 
tory. 

1360.  CHAUCER,  Rom.  of  Rose,  5673. 
Many  a  RIBAUDE  is  mery  and  baude. 

1362.  LANGLAND,  Piers  Plowman 
(C),  vii.  435.  On  fasting-dais  by-fore  noon 
iche  fedde  me  with  ale,  Out  of  reson, 
a-mong  RYBAUDES  here  RYBAUDRYE  to 
huyre.  Ibid.  (A),  vii.  66.  lonete  of  the 
stuyues,  And  Robert  the  RIBAUDOUR. 

1376.  [RiBTON-TuRNER,  Vagrants, 
&*c.,  52].  In  the  last  year  of  this  reign 
we  find  the  Commons  petitioning  the  King 
"  that  RIBALDS  .  .  .  and  Sturdy  Beggars 
may  be  banished  out  of  every  town." 

1491.  Destr.  of  Troy  [E.  E.  T.  S.], 
7651.  Ephistafus  hym  presit  with  his 
proude  wordes,  As  a  RIBOLD  with  reueray 
to  his  roide  speche. 

*573-  BARET,  Alyearie  [NARES].  A 
RIBAUDROUS  and  filthie  tongue,  os  inces- 
turn,  obscanum,  impurum,  et  impudicum. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  ix.  Rhymed 
in  rules  of  stewish  RIBALDRY. 

1608.  SHAKSPEARE,  Ant.  &>  Cleop., 
iii.  8.  Yon  RIBAUDRED  nag  of  Egypt 
Whom  leprosy  o'ertake. 

l6ll.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  S.V.  RlBAULD. 

A  rogue,  ruffian,  rascale,  scoundrele,  valet, 
filthie  fellow;  also  a  RIBAULD  fornicator, 
whore  -  munger,  bawdie- house  haunter. 
s.v.  RIBAULDE.  A  whore,  queane,  punke, 
gill  flurt,  common  hackney,  doxie,  mort. 
[See  also,  s.v.  RIBAUDAILLE,  RIBAUDINE, 

ROYAKS,  RlBAULDS,  RlBAULDES,  &C.] 

1641.  MILTON,  Def.  of  Humb. 
Remons.  As  for  the  proverb,  the  Bishop's 
foot  hath  been  in  it,  it  were  more  fit  for  a 
Scurra  in  Trivio,  or  som  RIBALD  upon  an 
Ale-bench. 

1630.    TAYLOR,  Works  [NARES],    A 

RIBBLE-RABBLE  of  gossips. 

1670.  COTTON  [Works  (1734),  119]. 
This  witch  a  RIBBLE-ROW  rehearses,  Of 
scurvy  names  in  scurvy  verses. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  i.  vii.  6. 
Such  uncouth,  wretched  RIBBLE-RABBLE. 

1841-6.  BROWNING,  Bells  and  Pome- 
granates, 'Pied  Piper.'  Insulted  by  a 
lazy  RIBALP. 


RIBBIN    (RIBBON    or     RIBBAND), 

subs.  (old). — i.  Money  :  generic. 
Hence,  THE  RIBBIN  RUNS  THICK 
(or  THIN)  =  '  the  breeches  are 
well  lined '  (or  '  there's  little  cash 
about').— B.  E.  (^.1696);  GROSE 
(1785);  VAUX  (1812). 

2.  (common). — In//.  =  reins  : 
whence  TO  HANDLE  (or  FLUTTER) 
THE  RIBBONS  =  to  drive.  See 
HANDLE  and  add  quots.  infra. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick  (1857),  36. 
Give  the  gen'l'man  the  RIBBINS. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends, 
1  St.  Odille.'  'Tis  the  same  with  a  lady,  it 
once  she  contrives  To  get  hold  of  the 
RIBANDS. 

See  BLUE  RIBBON. 


RIB-ROAST  (-BASTE  or  -TICKLE), 

verb.  (old).  —  To  thrash  ;  TO 
PUNISH  (q.v.).  Whence  RIB- 
ROASTING  (&C.  :  also  RIB-BEND- 
ING or  RIBBING)  =  a  pummelling; 

RIB-ROASTER  (&C.  :  also  RIB- 
BENDER,  RIBBER,  or  A  RIB  OF 

ROAST)  =  (pugilists')  a  blow  on 
the  body,  or  in  the  ribs,  which 
brings  down  an  opponent's  guard 
and  opens  up  the  head. — B.  E. ; 
MARTIN  (1754);  GROSE. 

1576.  GASCOIGNE,  Steel  Glass,  Ess. 
Ded.  [ARBER].  Though  the  shorneful  do 
mocke  me  for  a  time,  yet  in  the  ende  I 
hope  to  giue  them  al  a  RYBBE  TO  ROSTE 
for  their  paynes. 

1595.  HALL,  Maroccus  Extalicus. 
Such  a  piece  of  filching  as  is  punishable 
with  RIB-ROAST. 

1620.  ROWLANDS,  Night-raven 
[NARES].  Tom,  take  thou  a  cudgell  and 
RIB-ROAST  him. 

1663.  BUTLER,  Hudibras.  And  he 
departs,  not  meanly  boasting  Of  his  mag- 
nificent RIB-ROASTING. 

^.1704.  L'ESTRANGE,  Works  [Ency. 
Diet.  ].  I  have  been  .  .  .  well  RIBROASTED 
.  .  .  but  I'm  in  now  for  skin  and  all. 

1762.  SMOLLETT,  Sir  L.  Greaves,  \. 
v.  In  which  he  knew  he  should  be  RIB- 
ROASTED  every  day,  and  murdered  at  last. 


Ribstone. 


21 


Ride. 


1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  51.  While 
RIBBERS  rung  from  each  resounding  frame. 

1857.  _  CUTHBERT  BEDE,  Verdant 
Green,  n.  iv.  To  one  gentleman  he  would 
pleasantly  observe  ..."  There's  a  regu- 
lar RIB  -ROASTER  for  you  !  " 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jack,  284. 
It  was  some  time  before  he  recovered  the 
RIB-BENDER  he  got  from  the  fat  show- 
woman. 

1886.  Phil  Times,  6  May.  There 
was  some  terrible  slogging  .  .  .  Cleary 
planted  two  RIB-ROASTERS,  and  a  tap  on 
Langdon's  face. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  g  Feb.  Re- 
paid the  compliment  with  another  RIB- 
BENDER. 

RIBSTONE,    subs,    (common).  —  See 
PIPPIN. 

1883.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads 
[Punch,  ii  Oct.].  'Ow  are  yer,  MY  RIB- 
STONE. 

RIB-TICKLER,    subs.   phr.     (collo- 
quial). —  i.   Thick    soup  ;    GLUE 


2.  See  RIB-ROAST. 

RICE-  BAGS,  subs.  phr.  (common).  — 
i.  TROUSERS  :  see  KICKS. 

2.  (American).  —  In    sing.  =  a 
rice  planter. 

RICH,  adj.  and  adv.  (colloquial).  — 
I.  Outrageous  ;  (2)  ridiculous  ; 
and  (3)  SPICY  (g.v.). 

£•.1350.  Turnament  of  Totenham 
[HAZLITT,  Early  Pop.  Poet.,  iii.  91].  Alle 
the  wyues  of  Totenham  come  ...  To  fech 
home  thaire  husbondis  .  .  .  With  wispys 
and  kixes,  that  was  a  RICH  sight. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  ii. 
The  left-hand  side  of  the  bar  is  a  RICH  bit 
of  low  life. 

1840.  PORTER,  Southwestern  Tales, 
57.  Thar  we  was  .  .  .  rollin1  with  laughin' 
and  liquor,  and  thought  the  thing  was 

RICH. 

1844.  DISRAELI,  Coningsby,  viii.  i. 
'Was  Spraggs  RICH  ?'—'  Wasn't  he  1  I 
have  not  done  laughing  yet  ...  Killing  ! 
.  .  .  The  RICHEST  thing  you  ever  feeard.' 


1897.  MITKORD,  Romance  of  Cape 
Frontier,  ix.  The  notion  of  Allen  bother- 
ing anyone  to  take  out  a  bees'  nest  .  .  . 
struck  them  all  as  ineffably  RICH. 

RICH-FACE,  subs.  phr.  (old). — *A 
Red-face.'— B.  E.  (^.1696). 

RICHARD,  subs,  (common). — A  dic- 
tionary: also  RICHARD  SNARY 
and  RICHARDANARY.— GROSE. 
Fr.  musicien. 

1622.  TAYLOR  (Water  Poet),  Motto, 
Intro.,  s.v.  RICHARD  SNARY. 

RICK-MA-TICK,  subs.  phr.  (Scots'), 
—i.  A  concern ;  a  business ;  a 
thing  :  as  *  The  whole  blessed 
RICK-MA-TICK  went  to  smash.' 

2.  (school).— Arithmetic. 

RICOCHET,  adj.  (American  cadet). 
— Gay;  splendid. 

RID.  To  RID  THE  STOMACH,  verb, 
phr.  (common). — To  vomit. 

RIDDLEMEREE,  subs,  (old).— See 
quot. 

c.1772.  J[UNIUS,  Letters  [WOODFALL], 
ii.  316.  This  style,  I  apprehend,  Sir,  is 
what  the  learned  Scriblerus  calls  rigmarol 
in  logic— RIDDLEMEREE  amongst  School- 
boys. 

RIDE,  verb,  (venery). — i.  To  possess 
carnally;  to  SWIVE  (g.v.).  Fr. 
chevaucher  (=  to  swive)  and 
chevaucherie  ( =  a  swiving)  (Cox- 
GRAVE,  1611 ;  and  GROSE,  1785). 

ENGLISH  SYNONYMS  (also  see 
GREENS).  —  To  accommodate  ; 
Adamize ;  ballock  ;  belly-bump 
(URQUHART)  ;  bitch  (generic) ; 
block  ;  bob  (FLETCHER)  ;  bore ; 
bounce ;  brush  ;  bull;  bum ;  bum* 
baste  (URQUHART)  ;  bumfiddle 
(DAVIES  of  Hereford)  ;  bung ; 
buttock  ;  caress ;  caulk ;  cavault ; 
chauver  ;  chuck  ;  clicket  (FiET- 


Ride. 


22 


Ride. 


CHER,  GROSE)  ;  club ;  cock  ; 
come  about  ;  come  aloft  (E. 
SPENSER)  ;  compress  ;  couple 
with  ;  cover  ;  cross  ;  cuddle  ; 
dibble ;  diddle ;  do  (SHAKSPEARE, 
JONSON,  generic) ;  dock  ;  dog ; 
do  over  ;  ease  ( =  (i)  to  rump,  and 
(2)  to  deflower) ;  embrace  ;  ferret 
(FLETCHER)  ;  fiddle ;  flap ;  flesh 
(FLORIO)  ;  flimp ;  flourish  ;  flut- 
ter ;  foin  (generic)  ;  fondle ;  fora- 
minate  (URQUHART);  frisk  ;  fuck 
(LYNDSAY,  FLORIO,  BAILEY, 
BURNS)  ;  fuckle ;  fugle  (DuR- 
FEY)  ;  fulke ;  fumble  (FLETCHER); 
futter  (R.  BURTON)  ;  get-into ; 
ginicomtwig  (FLORIO)  ;  goose  ; 
goose-and-duck  (rhyming)  ;  go 
through  ;  handle  ;  have  ;  hog  ; 
hole  ;"  hoist ;  horse  ( JONSON)  ; 
huddle  ;  huffle ;  hug  (FLETCHER, 
BURNS)  ;  hump ;  hustle  ;  impale ; 
invade ;  jack  ;  jape  (SKELTON, 
PALSGRAVE,  LYNDSAY,  FLO- 
RIO) ;  jig-a-jig ;  jiggle  ;  jink 
(RAMSAY,  ROBERTSON,  of 
Struan) ;  job  (BURNS)  ;  jock  ; 
jog  (MlDDLETON) ;  jolt ;  jottle  ; 
jounce  ;  jumm  (URQUHART)  ; 
jumble  (or  jumble  up  :  STANY- 
HURST,  DURFEY)  ;  jump  (RAN- 
DOLPH) ;  kiss  (RAMSAY,  MOR- 
RIS) ;  knock  (for  nock  :  DURFEY, 
RAMSAY)  ;  know  (Biblical) ;  lay 
out ;  lard ;  leacher  (COTGRAVE)  ; 
leap  (SHAKSPEARE,  JONSON, 
DRYDEN)  ;  lerricompoop  ;  lie 
with  ;  line  (SHAKSPEARE)  ; 
love  ;  man  ;  meddle  with ;  inell 
(LYDGATE,  SHAKSPEARE)  ; 
mount  (SHAKSPEARE,  JONSON)  ; 
mow  (Scots' :  LYNDSAY,  DUR- 
FEY, BURNS)  ;  muddle  ;  mump  ; 
muss  ;  nibble  ;  nick  ;  nidge 
(Scots');  nig;  niggle  (DEKKER, 
ROWLANDS,  BROME)  ;  nock 
(FLORIO,  ASH)  ;  nodge  (Scots') ; 
nub  ;  nug  ;  oblige  ;  occupy 
(SHAKSPEARE,  FLORIO,  JONSON)  ; 
peg  ;  perforate  ;  perform  on ; 


pestle  ;  phallicize  ;  pizzle  ;  please 
(CHAPMAN,  BURNS)  ;  pleasure; 
plough  (SHAKSPEARE)  ;  plowter ; 
pluck  (SHAKSPEARE)  ;  plug  ; 
poke  (DURFEY)  ;  pole  ;  poop  ; 
possess  (MASSINGER,  SMOLLETT); 
pound ;  priapize  ;  prick  ;  prig ; 
push  ;  qualify  ;  quiff ;  quim  ; 
rake  ;  rasp  ;  relish  ;  rig  ;  roger ; 
rummage ;  rump  ;  rut  ;  Saint- 
George  ;  sard  (LYNDSAY,  FLO- 
RIO) ;  scour ;  screw  ;  see  ;  serve  ; 
sew  up  ;  shag  ;  shake  ;  smock  ; 
smoke  (FLETCHER)  ;  snabble  ; 
snib  ;  solace  ;  spike  ;  split  ; 
stick  ;  strike;  stroke;  stitch  (DOR- 
SET) ;  spread  ;  strain  ;  strum ; 
swinge  (FLETCHER)  ;  swive  ;  tail ; 
taste  (FIELDING)  ;  thrum ;  towze ; 
touzle  (FIELDING)  ;  tread  ;  trim 
(SHAKSPEARE,  FLETCHER)  ; 
trounce  ;  tumble  ;  tup  (SHAK- 
SPEARE) ;  turn  up ;  up ;  vault ;  wap 
(Old  Cant) ;  womanize  ;  work. 

FRENCH  SYNONYMS  [R.  = 
RABELAIS]. — Abattre  (or  abattre 
du  bois)  ;  s'dboucher ;  abuser ; 
acclamper  (R.) ;  accointer  (faccoin- 
ter  or  avoir  des accointances  :  R.) ; 
accoler  (R.);  accommoder  (R.); 
accomplir  (accomtilir  son.  dhir  or 
plaisir) ;  accorder  sa  flute  ;  accou- 
pandir  (R.);  s1  decoupler ;  accou- 
trer  ;  accrocher  (R.) ;  accueillir  ; 
affiler  le  bandage  (R.)  ;  affronter 
(R.) ;  aforer  le  tonel(Q.  Fr.)  ;  agir 
(LA  FONTAINE)  ;  aimer  (conven- 
tional); ajuster  (R.) ;  ALLER  a 
Cythere,  a  dame,  a  la  charge,  a 
pinada,  au  bcurre,  au  bonheur, 
au  choc,  au  del,  au  gratin^ 
aux  armes,  aux  tpinards  (cf. 
GREENS),  d'attaque  (y),  F  amble  > 
and  se  faire  couper  les  cheveux  ; 
allumer  le  flambeau  d"1  amour  ; 
anhaster  (R.)  ;  apaiser  sa 
braise  (LA  FONTAINE)  ;  ap- 
point'er  (R.) ;  apprivoiser ;  ap- 
procher  ;  approvisionner  ;  arieter 


Ride. 


Ride. 


(R.)  ;  arr acker  son  copeau  ; 
arresser  (R.) ;  ar river  a  sesfins ; 
ar river  au  but ;  assailler  (R.  : 
also  assaillir)  ;  astiquer ;  AVOIR 
commerce,  contentement,  duplaisir, 
forfait,  la  cheville  au  trou ;  la 
jouissance,  les  bonnes  graces,  le 
solaz,  son  plaisir,  and  une  bonne 
fortune.  BADIGEONNER  ;  badiner 
(  =JAPE)  ;  baguer  (STITCH,  q.v.} ; 
baiser  (KISS,  q.v.}  ;  ballotter  ; 
bar  after  ;  bdter  d'dne(R.) ;  battre 
le  briquet ;  battre  les  car  tiers  (R.) ; 
battre  la  laine  (R.) ;  beliner  (R.)  ; 
beluter  (R.) ;  bistoquer ;  bistouriser 
(R.)  ;  bluter  ;  bobeliner  (R.) ; 
boire  (also  boire  la  coupe  de 
plaisir} ;  boudiner  ;  bourrer ; 
bourriquer  ;  boxonner  ;  branler  le 
cul  (or  la  croupiere}  ;  braque- 
marder  (R.)  ;  brecolfrttiller ; 
bricoler  (R.);  brimballer  (R.) ; 
brisgoutter  (^.} ;  brochier  ;  brode- 
quiner ;  broquer ;  brouiller  (  = 
JUMBLE,  £.#.);  brulerune  cierge  ; 
brusquer.  CALENDOSSER  (also 
encaldosser)  ;  calfeutrer  (cf. 
CAULK);  carabiner  (R.);  ^wa- 
«>/<fr  (R.)  ;  caramboler ;  caresser 
(LA  FONTAINE)  ;  carillonner 
(R.) ;  cauquer  ;  causer;  CHANTER 
/a  messe,  Voffice  de  la  Vierge, 
fintroil,  or  un  couplet ;  charger  ; 
chauldronner  (R.)  ;  cheminer 
autrement  que  des  pieds  ;  chevau- 
cher  (R.  :  RIDE,  q.v.} ;  cheviller ; 
choser  ;  cliqueter  (R.  =CLIQUET)  ; 
coc her  ( R. ) ;  co&  ner  ( R. ) ;  se  coller  ; 
combattre  ;  commettre  la  folie  (or 
le  forfaif)  ;  conailler ;  conftrer  ; 
confesser ;  conjoindre  (also  se  con- 
joindre} ;  conjouir ;  connditre 
(also  connditre  au  fond  :  KNOW, 
q.v.}  ;  conniller ;  conceuvrer  ; 
consoler  ;  consommer  le  sacrifice  ; 
contenter  (CONTENT,  q.v.  :  also 
contenter  Penvie,  ses  dtsirs,  or 
sa  flamme) ;  converser  ;  copuler  ; 
coucher  (LIE  WITH,  q.v.} ;  coudre 
(LA  FONTAINE  :  SEW  UP,  q.v.} ; 


se  coupler  (R.) ;  COURIR,  un  poste, 
or  des  posies,  Faiguillettc,  la  lance, 
"amble,  or  sur  le  ventre  ;  courier  ; 
couvrir  (R.  :  COVER,  q.v.); 
cramper  ;  cr&ver  P ceil ;  CUEILLIR 
des  lauriers,  la  f raise,  la  noisette, 
or  un  bouton  de  rose  sur  le  nom- 
bril;  culbuter ;  culler  (O.  Fr.)  ; 
cultiver.  DANSER,  aux  noces, 
la  basse  danse  (R.),  la  basse 
note,  le  branle  de  un  dedan 
et  deux,  dehors,  le  branle  du 
loup,  une  bourrte,  and  une 
sarabande ;  darder ;  debar- 
bouiller  (R.)  ;  dtbraguetter  (R.); 
dtcrotter  ;  dlduire  ;  dtliter  ; 
dtniaiser  y  dlpScher  ;  dlpenser  ses 
cotelettes ;  des  crater  (R.)>  se 
dtsennuyer ;  dlshouser  (O.  F.  = 
to  scour)  ;  deviser ;  dire  ses 
oraison  ;  disposer  s'en  DONNER  ; 
se  donner  carriere,  de  la  satis- 
faction, des  lemons  de  droit,  des 
preuves  d'estime,  des  secousses,  au 
ban  temps,  and  duplaisir  ;  donner 
Vaubade,  I'avoine,  Vassant,  le 
picotin,  un  branle,  une  le$on  de 
physique  exptrimentale,  une 
venue,  du  contentement,  and 
un  clyster  I ;  dormir ;  doubler. 
S'EBATTRE  ;  s'tbaudir  (R.)  ; 
s'ldifier ;  s'lwuir ;  embloquer  a 
la  cupidique  (R.) ;  emboiter ;  em- 
boucher ;  emboudiner;  embourrer; 
embriconner  (also  R.  =  to  seduce) ; 
embrocher  (R.)  ;  emmancher ; 
s'dmoucheter ;  empe~cher  (R.  and 
LA  FONTAINE)  ;  enchtiver ;  en- 
clouer ;  encocher  (R.)>  enconner 
(cf.  R.  BURTON'S  'encunt'  = 
TO  PUT  IN)  ;  ENFERRER  ;  enfilcr 
(R.)  :  en] 'oncer ;  enfourcher(  = 
TO  SPREAD)  ;  enfourner ;  en- 
gatner  (also  engainer  sa  virgule) ; 
enjamber  (cf.  crop) ;  entamer  le 
cuir ;  entoiser ;  s1  entrefaire  le 
jeu  ;  entreprendre ;  ENTRER  au 
couple,  en  champ  clos,  en  danse, 
en  guerre,  en  joute,  and  en  lice  ; 
entretenir  ;  envahir  ;  enviander ; 


Ride. 


24 


Ride. 


epousseter  ;  s'escarmoucher^WS- 
SEAU)  ;  essayer  un  lit ;  estocadtr  ; 
dialler;  ETEINDRE  sa  braise,  sa 
chandelle,  and  sesfeux  ;  Wrangler; 
Y  ETRE  ;  $tre  aux  mains,  aux 
prises,  en  action,  en  ctuvre,  im- 
pertinent, and  vainqueur ;  fore  de 
corvte  a  la  viande ;  Driller  ; 
tvacuer  ;  extcuter ;  exercer  (R.  : 
also  exercer  les  bons  membres}  ; 
exptdier  (LA  FONTAINE)  ;  ex- 
ploiter (also  exploiter  au  Pa*'s- 
bas  \  R.).  Fa$ onner ;  FAIRE 
( =  TO  DO),  une  bar  be,  une  fa$on, 
bataille,  beau  bruit  de  culetis  (R.), 
bonne  chtre,  campagne,  ca,  cela 
(ViLLON),  connaissance,  des  bi- 
tises,  des  galipettes,  dia,  Rue 
Haut ;  s* en  faire  donner  ;  sefaire 
donner  la  fesste  ;  faire  du  bon 
compagnon ;  faire  en  levrette 
(  =  DOG-FASHION)  ;  se  le  faire 
*aire  ;  faire  f£te,  folie  de  son 
corps,  galanterie,  la  belle  joir, 
la  besogne,  la  bete  a  deux  dos 
(R.,  SHAKSPEARE),  la  bonne 
chose,  la  cause  (or  chose)  pourquoi 
(R.),  la  ckasse  aux  conins,  la 
chosette,  le  c<zur,  la  culbute,  la 
fete,  la  folie  (LA  FONTAINE  :  also 
la  folie  auxgar$ons),  la  grenouille, 
la  guerre  (VOLTAIRE),  Paubade, 
la  pauvr£t£,  and  la  vilenie ;  le 
faire;  faire  I'acte  v&nlrien, 
V  amour,  I'amoureux  tripot, 
V androgyne,  le  cas,  le  dtduit 
(TALLEMENT  DES  REAUX,  &c.), 
dtlit,  dtsir,  devoir,  heurtebelin, 
jeu  d1  amour,  Fceuvre  de  nature, 
le  pa^net,  ptcht,  le  petit  ver- 
minage,  le  saut  (LA  FONTAINE: 
also  le  saut  de  Michelet),  le  reste, 
le  trite,  penitence,  plaisir,  river 
son  clou,  sa  besogne,  sa  f$te,  sa 
partie,  sa  voluntt,  service,  ses 
besognettes  (ViLLON),  ses  choux 
gras,  ses  petites  affaires,  ses  pri- 
vantts,  son  bon,  son  deilit,  son 
devoir,  son  plaisir,  son  talent, 
and  son  vouloir ;  faire  tort,  tout. 


un  duel,  une  charade,  une  poli- 
tesse,  tin  tour  de  cul,  tin  tron^on 
de  bon  ouvrage,  un  fronton  de 
chiere  lie  (R.)>  virade,  une 
pirouette  sur  le  nombril,  comptet 
les  so  lives  a  une  femme,  chou 
blanc,  and  pan-pan  ;  se  faire 
de '  °raiscr  ;  faire  zizi;  fanfrelucher 
(R.) ;  farfouiller  (R.)  \fatrouiller 
(O.  Fr.)  ;  favoriser ;  fergier ; 
ferrer  ;  festoyer  ( VOLTAIRE)  ; 
feter  (VOLTAIRE :  also  ffrer  le 
Saint- Pria-be} ;  Jicher  ;  flatter  ; 
f oilier  (R.);  foraminer  (R.);  se 
forfaire  ;  forger ;  forligner  (of 
women :  LA  FONTAINE)  ;  forriller 
(R.)  ;  fouailter  (R.);  fouiller  ; 
fouler ;  fourbir  (R.)  ;  fourcher 
(R.) ;  fourgonner  (R.)  ;  fournir 
(ja\sofournir  la  carriere] ;  f  outre 
(=  FUCK,  q.v.}  ',  foutriller  ; 
franc hir  le  saut ;  frayer  ;  frttiller 
(also  frltiller-nature  and  frttin- 
fretailler  :  R.  =  O.  Fr.  =  TO 
FRISK)  ;  fringoter  ;  fringuer  (also 
fringasser)  ;  FROTTER  sou  lard, 
la  coine  and  la  conenne  (R.). 
Galantiser ;  galler  (O.  Fr.  = 
s'amuser) )  g£sir  (O.  Fr.  =  cou- 
cher} ;  gesticular;  gimbretter  (R.); 
glisser ;  gouter  les  £bats,  les 
plaisirs  or  les  joies  ;  grappiller  ; 
greffer  ( VOLTAIRE)  ;  gribouiller 
(R.);  grimper  (R. ) ;  guerroyer  ; 
guincher.  Habeloter  ;  habiller  ; 
habiter  ;  haillonner  (R.)  ;  hanter; 
harigoter  (R. )  ;  hennequiner  ; 
hocher  (R.  =  shake)  ;  hoder  (R.) ; 
hoguiner  (R.) ;  houbler ;  hourde- 
biller  (R. ) ;  housser  (O.  Fr.  = 
to  scour)  ;  houspiller  ;  hubir  ; 
hurter;  hurtibiller  (R.  :  O.  Fr. 
=  s'accoupler)  ;  hutiner  (R.). 
s'lNCARNER  ;  incruster  ;  inir  ; 
instruire  (also  finstruire]  ;  in- 
strumenter  (R.) ;  investir.  /an- 
culer  ;  jaser  (also  jazer) ;  ioc - 
queter  (R.) ;  joindre  (also  se 
joindre} ;  JOUER  (LA  FONTAINE), 
a  la  b$te  a  deux  dos,  a  la  corniche 


Ride. 


Ride. 


(R.) ;  a  cul-bas  (R.) ;  £  la  fossette 
(R.  £/.  CHERRY-PIT)  ;  a  Vhomme, 
au  passe-temps  de  deux  &  deux, 
au  piquet  (R.),  au  r ever  sis, 
aux  cailles,  aux  dames  rabat- 
tues  (R.).  oux  quilles,  ce  jeu- 
la,  de  la  braguette,  de  la  flute, 
de  la  marotte,  de  la  navette 
(R.),  de  la  saque-boute,  des  basses 
marches  (R.)>  des  cymbales,  des 
gobelets,  des  mannequins,  des 
reins,  du  cul,  du  serre-cropiere 
(R.),  du  mirliton,  du  piston,  and 
de  Famorabaquine  ;  jouir  ;  j  outer 
(also  jouter  a  la  quint aine  :  R.). 
Labourer ;  se  laisser  atter  (also 
laisser  aller  le  chat  au  fromage, 
se  le  laisser  fair e,  and  laisser  tout 
faire)  ;  larder  (R.)  ;  lever  la 
chemise  (la  cotte,  le  cul,  le  devant, 
or  son  droif)  ;  levretter  (R.)  ; 
Her  son  boudin ;  loger  les 
aveugles  (or  les  nus) ;  lutter. 
Manger  de  la  chair  criie  (or  de  la 
viande  de  Vendredi)  ;  manier ; 
manipuler  ;  margauder  (R. )  ; 
mar  j  oiler  (R.);  marteler ;  le 
METTRE,  se  mettre  &  la  besogne,  cl 
la  juchte,  a  fouvrage,  chair  vive 
en  chair  vive  ;  mettre  dedans,  en 
besogne,  en  ozuvre,  en  presse, 
andouille  aupot,  la  charrue  devant 
les  bcsujs,  la  queue  entre  les 
jambes  ;  le  corps  en  presse,  ses  reins 
en  besogne,  un  membre  dans  un 
autre  ;  mettre  du  lard  en  botiteille  ; 
"nonter  (also  monter  d  Vassant  or 
sur  la  bete) ;  moudre  (GRIND, 
q.v. );  mouvoir  des  reins.  Nego- 
cier ;  niguer  (R.)-  Obliger ; 
officier ;  ourser.  Paffer ;  pail- 
larder  (ViLLON)  ;  parler  ;  PASSER 
le  pas,  les  detroits,  par  la  par  les 
mains,  par  les  piques,  par  V Ma- 
mine,  sa  fantaisie,  son  appttit, 
son  envie,  and  sur  le  ventre  ;  payer 
la  bienvenue  (also  les  arrtrages  de 
f  amour,  son  tcot,  or  la  com^die  ft 
Ferdinand}  ;  p£cher  ;  percer  ; 
piner  (cf.  TO  JOCK,  TO  COCK,  TO 


PRICK) ;  planter  (des  homines  ou 
des  femmes  :  also  le  cresson  and 
le  mat) ;  pousser  un  argument 
naturel  et  irresistible  (also  sa 
pointe,  faventure  b,  bout,  or  une 
moulure] ;  polluer ;  pamper  (R.) ; 
ponifler ;  pourvoir ;  PRENDRE 
chamelle  Hesse,  le  dtduit,  le 
pdture,  le  passe-temps,  le  provandc, 
ses  Ibats  (LA  FONTAINE),  ses 
rafraichissements,  son  dtduit,  son 
dtlit,  son  plaisir,  soulas,  or  une 
poignte ;  prier  ;  promiscuiter  j 
putasser.  Quiller  (R.)  J  quouail- 
ler  (R.)-  Raccointer  (R.);  ^«- 
coutrer  ;  ralentir  sa  braise  ;  ramo- 
ner  (R.);  rataconniculer  (R.); 
ratisser ;  rec,evoir  un  clyster e  (also 
une  lefon,  or  Passaut :  of  women 
or  pathics) ;  recogner  (also  recoig- 
ner)  ;  recueillir  la  jouissance 
(also  le  fruit  d' amour) ;  rtgaler  ; 
rehausser  le  linge  (LA  FONTAINE); 
se  rejouir  ;  rembourrer  ;  remuet 
le  croupion  (R.)  ;  rcmpdler ; 
remuer  (BERANGER  :  also  remuer 
les  f  esses,  or  les  reins']  ;  rendre  le 
devoir  ;  repasser  ;  retaper ;  retour 
de  matines  (LA  FONTAINE)  ; 
ribauder ;  rire  ;  river  le  bis  ; 
rompre  un  lance  ;  rouscailler  (&.) ; 
roussiner  (R.)-  Sabouler  (R.')  ; 
saccader  (R.)  ;  sacrificitr  (of 
women) ;  saigner  entre  deux orteils 
(R. ) ;  saillir  (R. ) ;  sangler  (R. ) ; 
se  satisfaire  (also  satisfaire  & 
son  plaisir) ;  se  faire  sauter ; 
sauter ;  savonner  (also  donner 
une  savonnade) ;  secouer  (  =  TO 
SHAKE :  also  secouer  le  pelisson) ; 
seutir  douceur  (also  sentir  de  la 
volupte)  ;  stringuer  ;  serrer ; 
servir  (LA  FONTAINE  :  also  se 
servir);  solacier ;  sender  ;  sonner 
V antiquaille ;  soufflcr  en  cul; 
souler  la  volontt ;  soumettre  (also 
soumettre  d  ses  dtsirs} ;  supposer. 
Tabourer  (also  tabourder :  O.  Fr. 
=  battre  du  tambour :  R.) ;  tocher 
(BERANGER)  ;  talocher  (R.)  j 


Ride. 


26 


Ride. 


tamiser  (R.)  ;  tantarer  (R.); 
tarabuster  ;  tdter  (also  tdter  de  la 
chair  or  la  sauce) ;  tfter ;  ther- 
mome'triser  ;  TIRER  a  la  cordelle, 
au  blanc,  au  naturel,  sa  lance, 
son  plaisir,  du  nerf^  une  venue 
(R. ) ;  TOMBER,  a  la  renverse,  and 
sur  le  dos ;  toucher  (LA  FON- 
TAINE); tracasser  ;  trafarcier  ; 
travailler  (also  travailler  a  la 
vigne  or  du  cut}  ;  trousser  (BE- 
RANGETR).  User.  Vendanger ; 
VENIR  (en);  venir  a  I'abordage, 
au  choc  ;  en  venir  aufait,  or  aux 
prises  ;  venir  la  ;  ventouser ; 
ventrouiller ;  verger;  ver miner 
(R.)  ;  vervignoler  (R.);  vttiller 
(R. ) ;  vitceuvrer  ;  voir.  Ziguer. 

c.1520.  Mayd  Emlyn  [HAZLITT,  Pop. 
Poet.,  iv.  96].  And  bycause  she  loued 
RYDYNGE,  At  thestewes  was  her  abydynge. 

[ ].    MS.   [Bodleian,   548].    The 

hares  haveth  no  seson  of  hure  love,  that  as 
I  sayde  is  clepid  RYDYNG-TYME. 

^.1529.  SKELTON,  Bowge  of  Courte, 
400.  I  let  her  to  hyre,  that  men  maye  on 
her  RYDE. 

c.iS42.  D.  LYNDSAY,  On  Jos.  V.  his 
Three  Mistresses.  RYD  not  on  your  Oli- 
fauntes,  For  hurting  of  thy  Geir. 

1598.  FLORID,   Worlde  of  IVordes, 
s.v.    Baiarda,   a    common,   filthie,   ouer- 
RIDDEN  whore. 

1599.  SHAKSPEARE,  Henry  V.,  iii.  7, 
60.      They  that  RIDE  so  and  RIDE   not 
warily. 

1607.  WEBSTER  and  DEKKER,  West- 
ward Hoe,  ii.  2.  You  know  gentlewomen 
used  to  come  to  lords'  chambers,  and  not 
lords  to  the  gentlewomen's  :  I'd  not  have 
her  think  you  are  such  a  rank  RIDER. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May-Day,  i.  i.  I 
have  heard  of  wenches  that  have  been  won 
with  singing  and  dancing,  and  some  with 
RIDING,  but  never  heard  of  any  that  was 
won  with  tumbling  in  my  life. 

c.  1618-19.  FLETCHER,  Mad  Lover,  iv. 
5.  He  RIDES  like  a  nightmare,  all  ages, 
all  conditions.  Ibid.,  1637  [?],  Elder 
Brother,  iv.  4.  He'll  RIDE  you  the  better, 
Lily. 


c.  1620-50.  Percy  Folio  MS.,  200,  '  Lye 
Alone.'  If  dreames  be  true,  then  RIDE  I 
can  :  I  lacke  nothing  but  a  man,  for  tis 
onlye  hee  can  ease  my  moane. 

^1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  III. 
in.  i.  2.  The  adulterer  sleeping  now  was 
RIDING  on  his  master's  saddle. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  iii. 
If  you  find  any  .  .  .  females  worth  the 
pains  .  .  .  get  up,  RIDE  upon  them. 

1656.  FLETCHER,  Martiall,  xi.  105. 
The  Phrygian  Boyes  in  secret  spent  their 
seed  As  oft  as  Hector's  wife  RID  on  his 
steed. 

1656.  Muses  Recr.  [HOTTEN],  74.  A 
smooth  and  gentle  hand  keeps  women 
more  in  awe  of  due  command  Than  if  we 
set  a  ganneril  on  their  Docks,  RIDE  them 
with  bits,  or  on  their  Geer  set  locks. 

1692.  DRYDEN,  Juvenal,  'Tenth 
Satire '  (Ed.  3,  1702,  p.  218).  How  many 
Boys  that  Pedagogue  can  RIDE. 

17  [?].  Old  Scots'  Song,  '  Heigh  for 
Bread  and  Cream.'  She  poppit  into  bed, 
And  I  popp't  in  beside  her  ;  She  lifted  up 
her  leg,  And  I  began  to  RIDE  her. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Homer  Burlesque, 
127.  More  than  nine  long  tedious  years 
Paris  has  RODE  my  brother's  gear. 

1786.  BURNS,  The  Inventory.  Frae 
this  time  forth  I  do  declare,  I'se  ne'er 
RIDE  horse  nor  hizzie  mair. 

£.1796.  MORRIS,  Plenipotentiary,  13. 
She  had  been  well  RID. 

£.1796.  Old  Scots'  Song,  '  Ye'se  get  a 
Hole  to  Hide  it  in.'  [FARMER,  Merry 
Songs  and  Ballads  (1897),  iv.  269].  O 
baud  it  in  your  hand,  sir,  Till  I  get  up  my 
claes,  Now  RIDE  me,  as  you'd  ride  for  life. 

2.  (old). — To  rob  on  the  high- 
way. 

1605.  London  Prodigal,  v.  i.  It  is 
well  known  I  might  have  RID  out  a  hun- 
dred times  if  I  would 

PHRASES. — To  RIDE  AND  TIE 
see  quot.  1742) ;  TO  RIDE  THE 
FRINGES  (see  quot.  ^.1787);  TO 
RIDE  AS  IF  FETCHING  THE  MID- 
WIFE =  to  go  post  haste ;  TO 
RIDE  OUT  =  to  adopt  the  pro- 
fession of  arms.  See  BACK; 
BLACK  DONKEY  ;  BODKIN  ; 
BROSE  ;  COWLSTAFF  ;  GRUB  ; 


Rider. 


Riff-raff. 


HOLBORN  HILL  ;  HIGH-HORSE  ; 
HOBBY-HORSE  ;  MARYLEBONE 
STAGE  ;  ROMFORD  ;  ROUGH- 
SHOD ;  SPANISH  MARE  ;  STANG  ; 
WILD-MARE. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  Gen. 
Prol.,  45.  A  knight  ther  was  .  .  .  That 
fro  the  time  that  he  firste  began  To  RIDEN 
out,  he  loved  chevalrie. 

1737.  BOSWELL,  Johnson,  \.  v.  note. 
Both  used  to  talk  pleasantly  of  this  their 
first  journey  to  London.  Garrick  .  .  . 
said  one  day  in  my  hearing,  '  We  RODE 

AND  TIED.' 

1742.  FIELDING,  Joseph  A  ndrews,  ii. 
2.  They  .  .  .  agreed  TO  RIDE  AND  TIE 
.  .  .  The  two  ...  set  out  together,  one 
on  horseback,  the  other  on  foot :  he  on 
horseback  .  .  .  when  he  arrives  at  the 
distance  agreed  on  ...  is  to  dismount, 
TIE  his  horse  to  some  gate,  tree,  post  .  .  . 
and  then  proceed  on  foot ;  when  the  other 
comes  up  to  the  horse,  he  unties  him, 
mounts,  and  gallops  on  ;  till  having  passed 
by  his  fellow  traveller,  he  likewise  arrives 
at  the  place  of  TYING. 

£•.1787.  Ireland  Sixty  Years  Ago 
(1847),  51.  To  guard  themselves  from  en- 
croachment, the  citizens  from  time  im- 
memorial perambulated  the  boundaries  of 
their  chartered  district  every  third  year, 
and  this  was  termed  riding  their  franchises, 
corrupted  into  RIDING  THE  FRINGES. 

RIDER,  subs,  (common). — A  question 
or  clause  added  to  a  geometrical 
problem,  an  Act  of  Parliament, 
an  examination  paper,  &c. 

1852.  DICKENS,  Bleak  House,  xxxix. 
Vholes  finally  adds,  by  way  of  RIDER  to 
this  declaration  of  his  principles  .  .  .  per- 
haps Mr.  C.  will  favour  him  with  an  order 
on  his  agent. 

1885.  Report  of  Com.  of  Council  on 
Education  in  Scotland  for  1884,  285. 
They  showed  a  very  satisfactory  know- 
ledge of  Euclid's  propositions,  and  a  very 
creditable  porportion  of  students  worked  a 
considerable  number  of  the  RIDERS. 

2.  See  RIDE,  verb.  i. 

3.  (old). — A  Dutch  coin  with 
a  man  on  horseback,  worth  about 
twenty-seven    shillings  :    also    a 
Scots  gold  piece  issued  by  Tames 
VI. 


1647.  FLETCHER,  Woman's  Prize, 
i,  2.  His  mouldy  money!  Half  a 
dozen  RIDERS,  That  cannot  sit,  but  stampt 
fast  to  their  saddles. 

4.  (old). — A  commercial  travel- 
ler; a  BAGMAN  (q.V.). 

1810.  CRABBE,  Borough,  iv.  The 
come  to  us  as  RIDERS  in  a  trade. 

1825.  LAMB,  Letters,  cxii.  A  RIDER 
in  his  youth,  travelling  for  shops. 

RIDGE  (or  REDGE),  stibs.  (old). — 
Gold  :  manufactured  or  specie  : 
in  latter  case  specifically  =  a 
guinea.  Whence,  RIDGE-MONTRA 
=  a  gold  watch  ;  CLY  FULL  OF 
RIDGE  =  a  pocket-full  of  money ; 
RIDGE-CULLY  =  a  goldsmith. — 
B.  E.  (^.1696) ;  PARKER  (1781) ; 
GROSE  (1785) ;  VAUX  (1812). 

RIDICULOUS,  adj.  (provincial). — See 
quot.  1847. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Archaic  .  .  . 
Words,  &c.,s.v.  RIDICULOUS  .  .  .  Some- 
thing very  indecent  and  improper  is  under- 
stood ;  as,  any  violent  attack  upon  a 
woman's  chastity  is  called  "  very  RIDICU- 
LOUS behaviour  :"  a  very  disorderly,  and 
ill-conducted  house,  is  also  called  a 
"RIDICULOUS  one." 

1889.  Notes  and  Queries,  ^  S.,  ix. 
453.  A  man  once  informed  me  that  the 
death  by  drowning  of  a  relative  was  most 

RIDICULOUS. 

RIDING-HAG,  subs.phr.  (colloquial). 
— The  night-mare :  also  THE 

RIDING  OF  THE  WITCH. 

RIFF-RAFF  (RAFF  or  RAFFLE),  subs. 
(old).— I.  Refuse,  lumber;  (2) 
the  mob:  spec.  (Oxford  Univ.) 
TOWN  (q.v.)  as  opposed  to  GOWN 
(q.v.),  or  vice  versd;  and  (3) 
booty  :  as  adj.  =  worthless. 
Whence  RAFF-MERCHANT  =  a 
marine-store  dealer  ;  RAFFISH  = 
disreputable  ;  RAFFISHNESS  = 
scampishness.  As  verb.  RAFF  (or 
RAFFLE)  =  to  live  filthily,  to  PIG 
IT  (q.v.).  RAFFLE-COFFIN  =  ' a 
ruffian,  ribald  fellow.'— B.  E. 
(^.1696);  GROSE  (i 785). 


Rifle. 


28 


Rig. 


d.i-210.  M APES,  Appendix,  340.  Maken 
of  the  rym  and  RAFF  Suche  gy lours  for 
pompe  and  pride. 

c.i  337.  MANNING,  TV.  French  Poem 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng. ,  i.  21.  The  French 
words  are  quash  .  .  .  RIFF  AND  RAFF]. 

i4f?].  MS.  [Lincoln,  A.  i.  17,  fol. 
148].  Ilk  a  manne  agayne  his  gud  he 
gaffe,  That  he  had  tane  with  RYFE  AND 

RAFFE. 

1531-47.  COPLAND,  Spyttel  Hous 
[HAZLITT,  Pop.  Poet.,  iv.  41].  And  euer 
haunteth  among  such  RYF  RAF. 

1611.  FLORID,  Ital.  Diet.  Gentaglia, 
common  or  base,  RIFFE-RAFFE,  the  scum 
of  the  earth,  the  base  multitude  of  common 
people.  Ibid.  Ciarpance,  RIFF-RAFF, 
luggage,  trash. 

^.1677.  BARROW,  Unity  of  the  Church. 
The  synod  of  Trent  was  convened  to  settle 
a  RAFF  of  errors  and  superstitions. 

1709.  HEARNE,  Diary,  10  Sept.  He 
has  his  RIFF-RAFF  notes  upon  Lycophron. 

1847.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair, 
xxix.  There  is  no  town  of  any  mark  in 
Europe  but  it  has  its  little  colony  of 
English  RAFFS. 

1851.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  i.  325. 
'  People,  you  see,'  he  said,  '  wont  buy 
their  "accounts"  of  RAFF;  they  won't 
have  them  of  any  but  respectable  people. ' 

1884.  CLARK  RUSSELL,  Jack's  Court- 
ship, xvii.  Her  main  deck  was  a  surface 
of  straw,  dirt,  wet,  and  what  sailors  call 

RAFFLE. 

1886.  D.  Tel.,  i  Ap.  Shipping  all 
sorts  of  sea-faring  RIFF-RAFF. 

1888.  KIPLING,  Departmental 
Ditties,  'The  Galley."  And  the  topsmen 
clear  the  RAFFLE. 

RIFLE,  verb,  (venery). — To  grope 
or  possess  a  woman  :  see  RIDE. 

1620.  PERCY,  Folio  MS.,  p.  194. 
Then  lets  imbrace  and  RIFFLE  and  trifle. 

RlG,  subs.,  adj.)  and  verb.  (old). — 
i.  Generic  for  wantonness.  As 
subs.  =  (i)  a  wanton  (also  RIG- 
MUTTON  and  RIGSBY)  ;  (2)  a 
drinking  or  wenching  bout ;  (3) 
anything  dubious,  as  a  knock-out, 
a  cross  fight,  a .  cheat ;  (4)  an 
unscrupulous  person ;  and  (5)  a 
half  -or  whole  gelding  (see  quots. 


1647  and  1678).  As  verb.  =  (i) 
to  play  the  wanton ;  (2)  TO 
SPREE  (y.v.);  (3)  to  trick,  to 
steal  ;  and  (4)  to  ride  pick-a- 
back. Hence  RIGGISH  =  wanton ; 
RIGOLAGE  =  wantonness  ;  TO 
RUN  (PLAY  or  CARRY)  A  RIG 
=  to  play  fast-and-loose ;  TO  RIG 
THE  MARKET  =  to  raise  or  depress 
prices  for  one's  private  advantage : 
hence  to  swindle  ;  UP  TO  THE 
RIGS  =  expert,  wide-awake,  FLY 
(q.v.). — GROSE  (1785). 

c.1320.  Cursor  Mundi,  MS.  Coll. 
Trin.j  Cantab.,  f.  i.  In  ryot  and  in  RIGO- 
LAGE Spende  mony  her  youthe  and  her 
age. 

1551.  STILL,  Gammer  Gurton's 
Needle  [DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  ii. 
43.  Nay,  fy  on  thee,  thou  rampe,  thou 
RYG,  with  al  that  take  thy  part. 

1557.  TUSSER,  Husbandrie,  Sept., 
39.  Some  prowleth  for  fewel,  and  some 
away  RIG  Fat  goose  and  the  capon. 

1570.  LEVINS,  Manip.  Vocab,,  119. 
To  RIGGE,  lasciuire  puellam. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Galluta,  a  cockish,  wanton,  or  RIGGISH 
wench.  Ibid.  Mocci'acca  ...  a  RIGGE, 
a  harlot. 

1608.  SHAKSPEARJE,  Antony  and 
Cleopatra,  ii.  2.  For  vilest  things  Become 
themselves  in  her  ;  that  the  holy  priests 
Bless  her  when  she  is  RIGGISH. 

1647.  FLETCHER,  Women  Pleased, 
ii.  6.  A  pox  o'  yonder  old  RIGEL. 

1650.  FULLER,  Pisgah  Light,  iv.  vi. 
Let  none  condemn  them  [the  girls]  for  RIGS 
because  thus  hoyting  with  the  boys. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  in.  ix. 
The  mad-pate  REEKS  of  Bedlam. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
[  Works  (1725),  64].  I  hate  a  base  cowardly 
Drone,  Worse  than  a  RIGIL  with  one 
Stone. 

1739.  DUKE  OF  MONTAGUE  [quoted 
by  Theodore  Hook  in  Odd  People, 
'An  Honest  Practical  Joke'].  "Now 
all  my  wig-singeing,  and  nose-blacking 
exploits,  will  be  completely  outdone  by  the 
RIG  [that  was  the  favorite  word  in  the  year 
1739]  I  shall  run  upon  this  unhappy  devil 
with  the  tarnished  lace." 


Rig. 


29 


Right. 


1775.  Old  Song,  '  The  Potato  Man  ' 
[FARMER,  Musa  Pedestris  (1896),  55]. 
I'm  up  to  all  your  knowing  RIGS. 

1782.  COWPER,  John  Gilpin,  25.  He 
little  dreamt  when  he  set  out  Of  RUNNING 
such  a  RIG. 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
ii.  6.  We  haven't  had  a  better  job  a  long 
vile  nor  the  shabby  genteel  lay.  That, 
and  the  civil  RIG  told  in  a  pretty  penny. 

1836.  MARRYAT,  Japhet,  ii.    Some- 
times I  carry  on  my  RIGS  a  little  too  far. 

1837.  DICKENS,     Pickwick    (1857), 
351.     One  expressed  his  opinion  that  it 
was  "  a  RIG,"  and  the  other  his  conviction 
that  it  was  "a  go." 

1848.  LOWELL,  Biglow  Papers,  .  .  . 
Who  ever'd  ha'  thought  sech  A  pisonous 
RIG  Would  be  RUN  by  a  chap  thet  wuz 
chose  fer  a  Wig? 

1857-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  iii. 
144.  You're  up  to  the  RIGS  of  this  hole  ; 
come  to  my  hole — you  can't  play  there  ! 

1851.  Chamber's  Journal,  xv.  103. 
A  pawnbroker  contributes  the  linen,  an 
exuberant  quantity  of  which  is  generally 
one  of  the  characteristics  of  the  RIG  Sale. 

1855.  TOM  TAYLOR,  Still  Waters 
[DICKS],  13.  We  must  RIG  THE  MARKET. 
Go  in  and  buy  up  every  share  that's 
offered. 

1892.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  28  Oct.,  6,  2. 
Mr.  Burr,  without  the  knowledge  of  Mr. 
Westmacott,  issued  underwriting  agree- 
ments, and  proceeded  to  ...  RIG  THE 

MARKET. 

1892.  HENLEY  and  STEVENSON, 
Deacon  Brodie,  I.  vii.  That's  the  RIG, 
Deacon. 

1901.  D.  Telegraph,  29  April,  4,  4. 
He  never  thought  of  RUNNING  such  A  RIG 
as  that  which  caused  his  appearance  before 
Mr.  Sheil,  at  Westminster  Police-court,  on 
Saturday.  Ibid,,  21  Dec.,  2,  7.  Yesterday 
the  RIG  in  Scotch  pig-iron  collapsed. 

2.  (common).  —  Dress ;  style  : 
whence  =  a  turn-out,  or  outfit : 
also  RIG-OUT  and  RIGGING.  As 
verb  =  to  equip  ;  RIGGED  = 
dressed ;  TO  RIG  A  BLOSS  =  to 
strip  a  wench  ;  RUM  RIGGING 
=  fme  clothes.— B.  E.  (^.1696); 
GROSE  (1785). 

1594.  NASHE,  Unf.  Traveller  \.Wks. 
v.  164].  Her  wardrop  was  richly  RIGD. 


1625.  JONSON,  Staple  of  News,  ii.  i. 
?  A  wr",*?1  RIGGED»  sir  5  setting  forth  some 
lady  Will  cost  as  much  as  furnishing  a  fleet. 

1639.  MASSINGER,  Unnatural  Com- 
bat, iv.  2.  But  if  you  will  look  on  the 
malecontent  Belgarde,  ne-.vly  RIGG'D  UP, 
with  the  train  that  follows  him, 'twill  be 
an  object  worthy  of  your  noting. 

1677.  WYCHERLEY,  Plain  Dealer, 
iv.  i.  You  shall  see  how  I  RIGGED  my 
squire  OUT,  with  the  remains  of  my  ship- 
wrecked  wardrobe. 

1709.  CENTLIVRE,  Busie  Body,  ii. 
Buy  a  Lady's  Favour  at  the  Price  of  a 
thousand  Pieces,  to  RIG  OUT  an  Equipage 
for  a  Wench. 

1729.  GAY,  Polly,  i.  2.  She  is  in 
most  charming  RIGGING  ;  she  won't  cost 
you  a  penny,  Sir,  in  cloaths  at  first  setting 
out. 

1757.  FOOTE,  Author,  i.  He's  very 
young,  and  exceedingly  well  RIGGED. 

1789.  PARKER,  Life's  Painter,  62. 
We  shortly  after  RIGGED  her  with  an  entire 
new  and  very  neat  change  of  wearables. 

1818.  BYRON,  Beppo,  v.  Such  as  in 
Monmouth  Street,  or  in  Rag  Fair,  would 
RIG  you  OUT  in  seriousness  or  joke. 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
5.  This  toggery  will  never  fit— you  must 
have  a  new  RIG-OUT. 

1878.  BESANT  &  RICE,  By  Celia's 
Arbour,  ch.  ix.  I  was  saluted  in  the 
street — it  was  on  the  Hard — by  a  tall  and 
good-looking  young  sailor,  in  his  naval 
RIG,  the  handiest  ever  invented. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xvii.  A 
fad  every  week  at  the  'osiers  shops  .  .  . 
and  ...  a  new  RIG-OUT  for  every  fad. 

RlGGEN.  TO  RIDE  THE  RIGGEN, 
verb.  phr.  (provincial). — To  be 
very  intimate. 

RIGGER,  subs.  (Durham  School),— 
A  racing  boat. 

RIGHT,  adj.  and  adv.  (old  collo- 
quial). —  Very  ;  just ;  quite. 
COLLOQUIALISMS  are  numerous  : 
RIGHT  AS  RAIN  (AS  NINEPENCE, 
MY  LEG,  ANYTHING,  A  FIDDLE, 
TRIVET,  &c.)  =  absolutely  de- 
pendable ;  TO  RIGHTS  =  com- 


Right. 


Right. 


pletely  to  one's  satisfaction  ; 
RIGHT  THERE  =  on  the  spot  ; 
RIGHT  GREAT  =  very  much  ; 
RIGHT  NOW  =  instanter ;  RIGHT 

SO  =  just  SO  ;   TO  DO  ONE  RIGHT 

(or  REASON)  =  (i)  to  do  justice, 
and  (2)  to  pledge  in  drinking ; 
RIGHT  OUT  =  to  a  finish ;  RIGHT 
DOWN  =  downright  ;  RIGHT 
SMART = extremely  clever;  RIGHT 
AWAY  (OUT,  or  STRAIGHT), 
RIGHT  OFF  (HERE  or  OUT)  = 
immediately;  TO  TURN  (or  SEND) 

TO  THE   RIGHT-ABOUT  =  to   dis- 

miss  ;  RIGHT  YOU  ARE  =  a  com- 
plete acquiescence  ;  ALL  RIGHT 
=  certainly,  O.  K.  (GROSE) ;  A 
BIT  OF  ALL  RIGHT  =  extremely 
good ;  RIGHT  ALONG  =  at  these 
presents ;  RIGHT  UP  TO  THE 
HANDLE  =  excellent ;  TO  DO  (or 
HAVE)  ONE  TO  RIGHTS  =  to  serve 
one  out ;  TO  SET  TO  RIGHTS  = 
to  put  in  order ;  RIGHT  ON  = 
entirely,  straightforward ;  RIGHT 
FORTH  =  straight ;  BY  GOOD 
RIGHTS  =  it  should  be  so ;  RIGHT 
ROYAL  =  drunk.  See  LEG. 

^.1307.    Rel.  Antiq.,  ii.   19.    As  RYT 

AS  RAMIS  ORN. 

1340.  Gamelyn  [OLIPHANT,  New 
Eng.,  i.  39.  Men  dress  (set)  things  TO- 
RIGHTES  ;  this  adverb  (few  recognise  it)  is 
the  source  of  our  setting  things  TO  RIGHTS]. 

1350.  William  ofPalerne [E.E.T.S.], 
3066.  The  quen  er  the  day  was  dight  wel 
TO  RIGHTES  Hendli  in  that  hynde-skin  as 
swiche  bestes  were.  Ibid.,  4268.  Sche 
swalt  for  sorwe  and  swoned  RIT  THERE. 

1356.  MANDEVILLE,  Travels,  181. 
And  he  hem  turnethe  alle  the  Firmament 
RIGHTE  as  dothe  a  Wheel  that  turneth  be 
his  Axille  Tree. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  3629 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  127.  There  are 
new  phrases  like  RIGHT  (just)  NOW  .  .  .]. 

c.1440.  Merlin  [E.  E.  T.  S.],  ii.  129. 
Thei  asked  yef  thei  hadde  grete  haste; 
and  thei  ansuerde,  '  Ye,  RIGHT  GRETE.' 

£.1450.  Knight  of  La  Tour-Landry 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  284.  We  have 
RIGHT  so  ...  where  we  now  s&yjust  so}. 


d.  1460.  LYDGATE  [MS.  Harl. ,  172,  71], 
Conveyde  by  lyne  RYGHT  AS  A  RAMMES 
HORNE. 

^.1529.  SKELTON,  Why  Come  Ye  Not, 
&°c.  ?  86.  Do  ryght  and  doe  no  wronge, 

As   RYGHT  AS   A   RAMMES    HORNE.      Ibid., 

Speke  Parrot,   498.      So  myche  raggyd 

RYGHTE    OF     A     RAMMES     HORNE.      Ibid., 

Colyn    Cloute,    1200.      They    say    many 
matters  ar  born  Be    hyt   RYGHTE  AS  A 

RAMBES   HORN. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Henry  IV.,  v. 
3.  Why  now  you  have  DONE  ME  RIGHT. 
Ibid.  (1609),  Tempest,  iv.  i.  101.  And  be 
a  boy  RIGHT  OUT. 

1605.  SYLVESTER,  Du  Bartas,  ii. 
I  doo  adiure  thee  (O  great  King)  by  all 
That  in  the  World  we  sacred  count  or  call, 
To  DOE  ME  RIGHT. 

1607.  W[ENTWORTH]  S[MITH],  Puri- 
tan, i.  i.  He  was  my  brother,  as  RIGHT 

AS  RIGHT. 

1612-5.  HALL,  Contentp.  [TEGG],  v. 
176.  A  prudent  circumlocution  which 
RIGHT  DOWN  would  not  be  digested. 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Beggar's  Bust,  ii. 
3.  'Tis  freely  spoken,  noble  burgomaster 

I'll  DO  YOU  RIGHT. 

1624.  MASSINGER,  Bondman,  ii.  3. 
These  glasses  contain  nothing  ;  DO  ME 
RIGHT  As  e'er  you  hope  for  liberty. 

1663.  TUKE,  Adv.  Five  Hours 
[DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  xii.  26], 
Your  master's  health,  sir— I'LL  DO  YOU 
REASON,  sir. 

1703.  FARQUHAR,  Inconstant,  ii.  2. 
Oh,  pardon  me,  sir,  you  shall  DO  ME 
RIGHT  .  .  .  Now,  sir,  can  you  drink  a 
health. 

1726.  SWIFT,  Gulliver's  Travels,  n. 
viii.  They  let  the  hulk  drop  into  the  sea, 
which  by  reason  of  many  breaches  made 
in  the  bottom  and  sides,  sunk  TO  RIGHTS. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  26.  God  knows  if  his  heart  lay  in 
the  RIGHT  place. 

18  [?].  HUMPHREYS,  Yankee  in  Eng- 
land. Aunt.  Bring  back  an  answer, — 
quick.  Doolittle.  In  a  jiffing,  I'll  be  back 
TO  RIGHTS. 

1842.  DICKENS,  American  Notes,  ii. 
I  now  saw  that  "RIGHT  AWAY"  and 
"directly"  meant  the  same  thing.  Ibid. 
(1854),  Hard  Times,  iv.  TURN  this  girl 
TO  THE  RIGHT-ABOUT,  and  there's  an  end 
of  it. 


Right-abouts. 


Rigmarole. 


1855.  TAYLOR,  Still  Waters,  ii.  2. 
'How    are   you?'   .    .   .    'RIGHT   AS    A 
TRIVET,  my  prince  of  prospectus  mongers. 

1856.  STOWE,  Dred,  i.  209.    She  had 
RIGHT  SMART  of  life  in  her,  and  was  always 
RIGHT  BUSY    'tending    to    something    or 
other.     Ibid.,  i.     Get  the  carriage  out  for 

me  RIGHT  AWAY. 

1856.  "WEBSTER,   Correspondence,  i. 
339.     We  will  shut   ourselves  up  in  the 
office  and  do  the  work  RIGHT  OFF. 

1857.  OLMSTED,  Texas,  301.     Each 
man's  ration  consisting  of  a  pint  of  mouldy 
corn  and  a  RIGHT  SMART  chunk  of  bacon. 

1876.  MACAULAY,  Life  and  Letters, 
i.  235.  I  guess  I  must  answer  him  RIGHT 
slick  AWAY. 

1882.  McCABE,  New  York,  xliii.  570 
Take  hold  of  it,  my  boy,  RIGHT  NOW. 

1883.  HAWLEY  SMART,   At   Fault, 
in.  viii.  125.     "  RIGHT  YOU  ARE,  Dickin- 
son," replied  Mr.  Usher,  rubbing  his  hands 
softly. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  Street,  ix.  If 
yer  want  to  get  it  TO  RIGHTS.  Ibid.,  xviii. 
He  is  simply  '  RIGHT  '  from  top  to  toe. 


RIGHT-ABOUTS  (THE),  subs,  (mili- 
tary).— The  Gloucestershire  Regi- 
ment. Also  ' '  The  Old  Braggs  "  ; 
"The  Slashers";  and  "The 
Whitewashes." 


RIGHT- EYE  (or  HAND).  MY  RIGHT- 
EYE  ITCHES,  phr.  (old  colloquial). 
— See  quot. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
iii.  Lady  Answ.  And  MY  RIGHT  EYE 
ITCHES  ;  I  shall  cry.  Ibid.  Lady  Smart. 
And  MY  RIGHT  HAND  ITCHES  ;  I  shall 
receive  Money. 


RIGHT-HANDER,  subs.  phr.  (pugi- 
lists').— A  hit  with  the  right 
hand. 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown's  School- 
days, ii.  5.  Tom  gets  .  .  .  deposited  on 
the  grass  by  a  RIGHT-HANDER  from  the 
Slogger. 


RIGHT-SIDE.  To  RISE  ON  THE 
RIGHT-SIDE,  verb.  phr.  (old).  _ 
A  happy  augury  :  cf.  WRONG 
SIDE  (q.v.)  of  the  bed. 

1607.  MARSTON,  WJiat  you  Will 
[Works  (1633),  sig.  Rb].  You  RISE  ON 
YOUR  RIGHT  SIDE  to-day,  marry. 

1614.     Terence  in  English  [NARES]. 

C.  What  doth  shee  keepe  house  alreadie  ? 

D.  Alreadie.     C.  O  good  God  :  WE  ROSE 

ON  THE  RIGHT  SIDE  to-day. 

£.1620.     FLETCHER,  Women  Pleased  ,  i. 
[end  of  act]. 

1633.  MACHIN,  Dumb  Knight,  iv.  i. 
Sure  I  said  my  prayers,  RIS'D  ON  MY  RIGHT 
SIDE  .  .  .  No  hare  did  cross  me,  nor  no 
bearded  witch,  Nor  other  ominous  sign. 

RIGHT-SORT,  subs.  phr.  (old).  — 
Gin  :  see  WHITE  SATIN.—  The 
Fancy  (1820). 

RIGHTEOUS,  adj.  (colloquial).—  An 
inverted  appreciation  :  e.g.,  a 
RIGHTEOUS  (i.e.,  fine)  as  distin- 
guished from  a  WICKED  (q.v.) 
day,  &c.  :  cf.  RELIGIOUS. 

MORE  HOLY  THAN  RIGHTEOUS, 

phr.  (common).  —  Applied  to  a 
tattered  garment  or  person. 

RIGMAROLE,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  A 
tedious  story  ;  twaddle  ;  a  rambling 
statement  :  also  RAGMAN  ROLL, 

RIG-MY-ROLL,  and  RIG-MAROLE. 
As  adj.  =  roundabout,  nonsensical 
(GROSE).  [A  corruption  of  RAG- 
MAN ROLL  —  i.e.,  the  Devil's  Roll  : 
cf.  RAGEMAN—  applied  apparently 
to  any  document  containing  many 
details;  also  to  an  old  game  in 
which  a  parchment  roll  played  a 
part.] 


^.1529. 

[DvCE,  i.  420],  1490.  I  did  what  I  cowde 
to  scrape  out  the  scrollis,  Apollo  to  rase 
out  of  her  RAGMAN  ROLLIS. 

1533.  Pardoner  and  Frere  [HALLI- 
WELL].  Mayster  parson,  I  marvayll  ye 
wyll  gyve  lycenc  To  this  false  knave  .  .  . 
To  publish  his  RAGMAN  ROLLES  with  lyes. 


Rigol. 


Ring. 


^.1556.  UDALL  [SMYTH  PALMER].  A 
RAGMAN'S  REWK  ...  we  call  a  long  geste 
that  railleth  on  any  person  by  name  or 
toucheth  a  bodyes  honesty  somewhat  near. 

1753.  RICHARDSON,  Sir  Chas. 
Grandison,  iv.  iv.  You  must  all  of  you 
go  in  one  RIG-MY-ROLL  way,  in  one  beaten 
track. 

1757.  FOOTE,  Author,  ii.  You  are 
always  running  on  with  your  RIGGMON- 
ROWLES,  and  won't  stay  to  hear  a  body's 
story  out. 

1874.  MRS.  H.  WOOD,  Johnny  Lud- 
low,  ist  S.,  No.  xii.,  203.  Mrs.  Blair  has 
been  writing  us  a  strange  RIGMAROLE, 
which  nobody  can  make  head  or  tail  of. 

RlGOL  (or  RiG\L).—See  RIG,  suds.  I. 

RILE  (ROIL  or  ROYLE),  verb.  (old). 
— To  vex  ;  to  irritate ;  to  disturb. 
Hence  RILY  =  cross-grained  ; 
RILEMENT  =  ill  temper.  [Origi- 
nally =  to  make  turbid.]  Fr. 
cavalcr  (or  COM  ir)  sur  le  haricot. 

1656-8.  GURNALL,  Christian  in 
A  rtnour,  in.  296.  There  are  dregs  enough 
within  to  ROYLE  and  distemper  the  spirit. 

1740.  NORTH,  Exanten,  359.  The 
lamb  down  stream  ROILED  the  wolfs  water 
above.  Ibid.,  Lives  of  the  Norths,  i.  415. 
He  took  a  turn  or  two  in  his  dining  room 
and  said  nothing,  by  which  I  perceived 
that  his  spirits  were  very  much  ROILED. 

1843.  DICKENS,  Chuzzlewit,  xxi. 
My  feller  critters  .  .  .  RILE  up  rough, 
along  of  my  objecting  to  their  selling  Eden 
off  too  cheap. 

1847.  ROBB,   Squatter  Life,   64.     I 
gin  to  sit  RILEY.    Ibid.,  31.  RILE  him  up, 
and  sot  his  liver  workin  ? 

1848.  LOWELL,  Biglow  Papers,  .  .  . 
We  begin  to  think  it's  natur  To  take  sarse 
and  not  be  RILED. 

1849.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis,  Ixiv. 
What  vexed  and  "  RILED  "  him  (to  use  his 
own  expression)  was  the  infernal  indiffer- 
ence and  cowardly  ingratitude  of  Clavering. 

1883.  Sat.  Rev.,  13  Jan.,  42,  2.  It 
is  not  surprising  that  .  .  .  they  [his 
speeches]  "  RILED  "  some  of  Sir  Charles's 
political  friends  not  a  little.  But  it  was 
perhaps  a  little  surprising  that  the  RILE- 
MENT was  so  little  manifested  among  Sir 
Charles's  audiences. 


RiMBLE-RAMBLE,   subs.  phr.    (old). 

—Nonsense  :    as  adj.  —  nonsen- 
sical. 

1690.  Pagan  Prince  [NARES].  The 
greatest  part  of  the  task  was  only  RIMBLE- 
RAMBLE  discourse. 

RINDER,  subs.  (Queen's  University). 
— An  outsider. 


RlNER,      TO  SHED  RINERS  WITH  A 

WHAVER,  verb.  phr.  (old). — To 
cap ;  to  surpass. 

RING,  subs,  (venery). — I.  The  fe- 
male pudendum  :  also  HAIRY 
RING,  HANS  CARVELS  RING 
(q.v.)  and  BLACK-RING.  Hence 
CRACKED  (or  CLIPPED)  IN  THE 
RING  =  seduced. 

1597.  LYLY,  Woman  in  Moon,  iii.  2. 
Lear.  Will  Pandora  be  thus  light?  Gun. 
If  she  were  twenty  graines  lighter  I  would 
not  refuse  her,  provided  alwayes  She  be 

CLIPT  WITHIN   THE   RING. 

1613.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER, 
Captain.  Come  to  be  married  to  my  lady's 
woman,  After  she's  CRACK'D  IN  THE  RING. 

1622.    ATLEY,  Book  of  Airs,  s.v. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  m. 
xxviii.  Never  fail  to  have  continually  the 
RING  of  thy  wife's  Commodity  upon  thy 
ringer. 

1660.    WATSON,  Cheerful  Airs,  s.v. 

c.1700.  PRIOR,  Hans  Carvel.  Hans 
took  the  RING  .  .  .  And,  thrusting  it 
beyond  his  joint,  '  'Tis  done,  he  cry'd "... 
'  What's  done,  you  drunken  bear,  You've 
thrust  your  finger  God  knows  where  ! ' 

2.  (colloquial). — A  place  set 
apart  for,  or  a  concourse  engaged 
in,  some  specific  object  :  as 
(racing)  =  (i)  an  enclosure  used 
for  betting,  and  (2)  the  book- 
makers therein ;  (pugilists')  =  (3) 
the  circle,  square,  or  parallelo- 
gram within  which  a  fight  takes 
place  :  hence  THE  PRIZE  RING 
=  the  world  of  pugilists ;  (horse- 


Ring. 


33 


Ring. 


dealers')  =  (4)  the  space  within 
which  horses  are  exhibited  at  fair, 
market,  or  auction  ;  (general)  = 
(5)  a  combination  for  controlling 
a  market  or  political  measure  ;  in 
America  a  TRUST. — B.  E.  (c. 
1696) ;  GROSE  (1785).  Hence 

RINGMAN^a  BOOKMAKER  (y.V.). 

1705.  FARQUHAR,  Twin  Rivals,  i.  i. 
I  fly  at  nobler  game ;  THE  RING,  the 
Court,  Pawlett's  and  the  Park. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  57. 
Ruffian'd  the  reeling  youngsters  round  the 
RING. 

1822.  SCOTT,  Fortunes  of  Nigel,  ii. 
Cold  water  and  .  .  .  vinegar  applied  .  .  . 
by  the  bottle-holders  in  a  modern  RING. 

1845.  DISRAELI,  Sybil,  i.  ii.  'Will 
any  one  do  anything  about  Hybiscus?' 
sang  out  a  gentleman  in  the  RING  at 
Epsom. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Vanity^  Fair,  xix. 
One  day,  in  THE  RING,  Rawdon's  Stanhope 
came  in  sight. 

1855.  TAYLOR,  Still  Waters,  ii.  i. 
I  should  have  done  better  to  have  stuck 
by  Tattersall's  and  the  Turf.  The  RING 
are  sharp  fellows. 

1857.  LAWRENCE,  Guy  Livingstone, 
ix.  No  RINGMEN  to  force  the  betting  and 
deafen  you  with  their  blatant  proffers. 

1871.  Manchester  Guardian,  23  Dec. 
'  American  RINGS  and  Lobbyists.'  The 
modern  political  RING  he  described  as  a 
combination  of  selfish  bad  men,  formed  for 
their  own  pecuniary  advancement. 

1877.  Nation,  xiii.  333  [Century]. 
A  [political]  RING  is,  in  its  common  form, 
a  small  number  of  persons  who  get  posses- 
sion of  an  administrative  machine,  and 
distribute  the  offices  or  other  good  things 
connected  with  it  among  a  band  of  fellows, 
of  greater  or  less  dimensions,  who  agree  to 
divide  with  them  whatever  they  make. 

1888.  D.  Chronicle,  12  July.  The 
victory  was  very  popular,  and  by  the 
success  of  Satiety  the  RING  sustained  a 
severe  blow. 

3.  (old). — '  Money  extorted  by 
Rogues  on  the  High-way,  or  by 
Gentlemen  Beggers.'  —  B.  E. 
(^.1696);  GROSE  (1785). 

Verb,  (common).— i.  To  ma- 
nipulate ;  spec,  to  change  : 
e.%.,  TO  RING  CASTORS  =  to  ex- 
change hats  (GROSE)  ;  TO  RING 


THE  CHANGES  =  (i)  to  Substitute 

bad  money  for  good  ;  and  (2)  so 
to  bustle  that  change  is  given 
wrong. — GROSE  (1785) ;  VAUX 
(1812). 

1678.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  HI.  iii. 
The  skill  To  wind  and  manage  it  at  will 
.  .  .  And  RING  THE  CHANGES  upon  cases. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  4.  The  CHANGES  were  just  be- 
ginning TO  RING  upon  some  new  subject. 

1828.  BEE,  Liv.  Pict.  London,  45. 
Jarvis  .  .  .  after  turning  your  money  over 
and  over  .  .  .  declares  they  ring  bad,  and 
you  must  change  them  for  good  ones.  If 
you  appear  tolerably  'soft,'  and  will 
'stand  it,'  he  perhaps  refuses  these  also, 
after  having  RUNG  THE  CHANGES  once 
more.  This  is  called  a  double  do. 

2.  (thieves'). — See  quot. 

1863.  Cornhill  Mag. ,  vii.  91.  When 
housebreakers  are  disturbed  and  have  to 
abandon  their  plunder  they  say  that  they 
have  RUNG  themselves. 

3.  (Australian).  —  To    patrol 
cattle  by  riding  round  and  round 
them.     Also  TO  RING  UP. 

4.  (American).  —  To   create  a 
disturbance;  TO  RACKET  (q.v.\ 

5.  (old).— To    talk:    spec,    to 
scold  :  of  women. — GROSE. 

PHRASES. — To  RING  THE 
HORSESHOES  (tailors')  =  to  wel- 
come a  man  returning  from  a 
drinking  bout ;  TO  GO  THROUGH 
THE  RING  =  to  go  bankrupt, 
to  be  WHITEWASHED  (q.v.)  ;  TO 
RING  IN  (American)  =  (i)  to 
quote  ;  to  implicate,  (2)  to  get  the 
better  of,  (3)  in  gaming,  to  add 
to  (or  substitute)  cards  in  a  pack 
surreptitiously  :  whence  TO  RING 
IN  A  COLD  DECK  =  to  substitute 
a  prepared  pack  of  cards  ; 
CRACKED  IN  THE  RING  =  (i) 
flawed;  (2)  see  subs.,  sense  i  ; 
TO  COME  ON  THE  RING  =  to 
take  one's  turn  ;  TO  TAKE  THE 

MANTLE  AND  RING  =  to  VOW  per- 

petual  widowhood. 


Ring-dropper. 


34 


Rip. 


<f.i4oo.  CHAUCER,  Good  Women,  1887. 
Judge  infernal  Mynos  .  .  .  Now  cometh 
thy  lotte  !  now  COMESTOWON  THE  RYNGE. 

....].  Gesta.  Grayorum,  '  Progr.  of 
Eliz.  ,'ii.  54.  His  highness*  master  of  the 
ordnance  claimes  to  have  all  peeces  gul'd 
in  the  touch-hole  or  broken  WITHIN  THE 

RINGE. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hamlet ';  ii.  2, 
448.  Pray  God  your  voice,  like  a  piece  of 
uncurrent  gold,  be  not  CRACK'D  WITHIN 

THE  RING. 

1632.  JONSON,  Magnetic  Lady. 
Light  gold,  and  CRACK'D  WITHIN  THE 
RING.  [This  quot.  also  illustrates  sense  i.  ] 

1887.  FRANCIS,  Saddle  and  Mocassin. 
Between  them  they  RUNG  IN  A  COLD  DECK 
in  a  faro-box. 

1889.  LESTER  WALLACK,  Memories 
[Scribner,  iv.  723].  They  want  TO  RING 
me  INTO  it,  but  I  do  not  see  anything  in  it 
I  can  do. 

RING-DROPPER  (or  -FALLER),  subs, 
phr.  (thieves'). — See  quot.  1851- 
61  :  hence  RING-DROPPING  :  see 
FAWNEY-DROPPER.  —  AWDELEY 
(1567) ;  PARKER  (1781). 

1843.  DICKENS,  Martin  Chuzzlewitt 
xxxvii.  Tom's  evil  genius  did  not  .  .  . 
mark  him  out  as  the  prey  of  RING-DROPPERS 
...  or  any  of  those  bloodless  sharpers. 

1849.  MACAULAY,  Hist,  of  Eng., 
xviii.  The  crowd  of  pilferers,  RING- 
DROPPERS,  and  sharpers  who  infested  the 
capital. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 
389.  In  RING-DROPPING  we  pretend  to 
have  found  a  ring,  and  ask  some  simple- 
looking  fellow  if  it's  good  gold,  as  it's  only 
just  picked  up  [they  then  get  the  fellow  to 

RINGER,  subs,  (common). — A  bell ; 
a  tinkler.  Fr.  battante;  brandil- 
lante. 

RING- MAN,  subs.  phr.  (old). — The 
middle,  or  ring  finger  :  cf.  DARK- 
MANS  ;  RUFF-MANS,  &C. 

1544.  ASCHAM,  Toxophilus,  137. 
When  a  man  shooteth,  the  might  of  his 
shoote  lyeth  on  the  foremost  finger,  and 
on  the  RING-MAN. 

2.  See  RING,  subs,  i. 


RING-TAIL,  subs,  (military).  —  A 
recruit  :  see  SNOOKER. 

RING-TAILED  ROARER,  subs.  phr. 
(American).  —  The  nonsense  name 
of  some  imaginary  beast.  — 
Century. 

RINK.  To  GET  OUT  OF  ONE'S 
RINK,  verb.  phr.  (old  colloquial). 
—  To  sow  wild  oats.  [RiNK  =  a 
course,  a  race,  ring,  or  circle.] 

RINSE,  subs,  (common).  —  Any  sort 
of  potable;  LAP  (q.v.).  Hence 
as  verb.  =  to  drink  ;  TO  LUSH 


RIOT  ACT.  To  READ  THE  RIOT 
ACT,  verb.  phr.  (colloquial).—  To 
administer  a  jobation  ;  to  reprove. 

RIOTOUS-LIVING,  subs.  phr.  (col- 
loquial). —  Luxuries.  [Cf.  Luke 
xv.  13.] 

RIP,  subs,  (common).  —  A  repro- 
bate; a  RAKE  (<?.v.).  Hence  any- 
thing censurable  :  as  a  SCREW 
(q.v.)  of  a  horse  (GROSE),  'a 
shabby  mean  fellow'  (GROSE): 
sometimes  in  jest. 

1827.  PEAKE,  Comfortable  Lodgings, 
i.  a.  Roue.  So,  at  last  at  Paris  ;  and  I'll 
be  bound  I'm  the  greatest  RIP  in  it. 

1853.  DICKENS,  Bleak  House,  Iv.  If 
it's  ever  broke  to  him  that  his  RIP  of  a 
brother  has  turned  up  I  could  wish  .  .  . 
to  break  it  myself. 

1892.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  20  Oct.,  6,  i. 
The  prisoner  said  a  RIP  (an  Americanism 
for  low  woman)  has  told  him  that  she  had 
been  employed  by  the  police  to  track  him. 

1900.  KIPLING,  Stalky  &*  Co.,  25. 
1  Hold  on,  till  King  loses  his  temper,'  said 
Beetle.  '  He's  a  libellous  old  RIP,  an'  he'll 
be  in  a  ravin'  paddywhack.  ' 

Verb,  (old  :  now  chiefly  Ameri- 
can). —  i.  To  take  one's  own 
course  ;  to  go  as  one  will  : 
to  tear  along  ;  to  drive  furiously  : 


Ripe. 


Ripping. 


usually  in  phr.  LET  HER  RIP  : 
also  TO  RIP  AND  STAVE.  Whence 
RIPPER  =  a  tearer  ;  TO  RIP  AND 
TEAR  =  to  be  furious  ;  TO  RIP 
OUT  =  to  explode  ;  also  as  an 
oath,  RIP  ME  !  =  BLAST  ME  ! 


c.i6is.  FLETCHER,  Woman's  Prize,  i. 
i.  Do  all  the  ramping,  roaring  tricks  a 
whore,  Being  drunk  and  tumbling-RiPE. 


1600.  DECKER,  Shorn.  Holiday 
[Works  (1873],  i.  29].  Auaunt  kite-bin- 
stuffe,  RIPPE,  you  browne  bread  tannikin, 
out  of  my  sight. 

1  848.  JONES,  Sketches  of  Travels,  78. 
He  RIPPED  OUT  an  oath  that  made  the 
hair  stand  on  my  head. 

1869.  H.  B.  STOWE,  Old  Town 
Folks,  607.  If  she  don't  do  nothing  more 
.  ,  .  why,  I  say,  let  'er  RIP. 

1877.  Temple  Bar,  May,  109.  It 
has  its  drawbacks,  the  principal  of  which 
is  a  growing  tolerance  of  misrule  and  mis- 
conduct in  office.  "Let  him  RIP,"  is  a 
common  verdict  ;  "  we  can  turn  him  out 
when  his  time  is  up." 

1885.  STEVENSON,  Princt  Otto,  ii. 
7.  'You  may  leave  the  table,'  he  added, 
his  temper  RIPPING  OUT. 

1895.  MARRIOTT-WATSON  [New  Re- 
view, 2  July].  "  RIP  ME,"  says  he, 
starting  up,  d'ye  think  I  could  not  ha' 
been  in  the  job  myself?  " 

2.  (old).—  To  search;  to  rum- 
mage :  espec.  with  a  view  to 
plunder  ;  hence  (3)  to  steal. 
RIPPER  =  a  robber. 

[.  .  .  .].  Ormulum,  10,212.  To  RIP- 
PENN  hemm  and  raefenn. 

£.1388.  Towneley  Myst.,  112.  Com 
and  RVPE  oure  howse,  and  then  may  ye  se 
Who  had  hir. 

[....].  Robin  Hood  and  Beggar 
[CHILD,  Ballads,  v.  190],  And  loose  the 
strings  of  all  thy  pocks,  I'll  RIPE  them  with 
my  hand. 

1816.  SCOTT,  Old  Mortality,  xxiii. 
I  e'en  RIPED  his  pouches,  as  he  had  dune 
mony  an  honester  man's. 

RIPE,  adj.  and  adv.  (common).— 
I.  Drunk;  and  (2)  ready. 

1609.  SHAKSPEARE,  Tempest,  v.  z. 
Trinculo  is  reeling  RIPE  :  where  should 
they  find  this  grand  liquor  that  hath 
gilded  'em? 


.  .  BROWN,  Works,  I  272.  To 
show  you  how  soon  the  Women  of  this  age 
grow  RIPE  .  .  . 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  178. 
Jerry  was  now  RIPE  for  anything. 

1842.  TENNYSON,  Poems,  'Will 
Water-proof.'  Half  mused  or  reeling- 

RIPE. 

RIPON  (or  RIPPON),  subs,  (old).— 
I.  A  spur ;  and  (2)  a  sword. 
[The  Yorkshire  City  was  formerly 
famous  for  its  fine  steel.] — GROSE 
(1785). 
1625.  JONSON,  Stable  of  News,  i.  3. 

Why  there's  an  angel,  if  my  SPURS  Be  not 

right  RIPPON. 

1636.  WITS  [DoDSLEY,  Old  Plays 
(REED),  viii.  501].  Whip  me  with  wire, 
headed  with  rowels  of  Sharp  RIPPON 

SPURS. 

RIPPER,  subs,  (colloquial). — Any- 
thing especial  :  a  good  ball 
(cricket)  ;  a  knock-down  blow 
(pugilistic) ;  a  fine  woman ;  an 
outrageous  lie,  &c.  Hence  RIP- 
PING =  great,  excellent,  STUN- 
NING (g.v.). 

1851.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  i.  237. 
The  .  .  .  battle  between  the  two  young 
ladies  of  fortune  is  what  we  call  a  RIPPER. 

1877.  Belgravia,  xxxii.  241.  Mr. 
Wilkie  Collins's  last  novel  is  a  RIPPING 
book. 

1881.  HOWELLS,  Dr.  Breen's  Prac- 
tice, ii.  Barlow  says  it's  the  hottest  day 
he's  ever  seen  here.  .  .  .  "  It's  a  RIPPER. 

1884.  HAWLEY  SMART,  Post  to 
Finish,  i.  What  a  RIPPING  race  it  was. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet* 
heart,  209.  'How  are  you  getting  on 
with  her?'  'RiPPiNGLY  as  far  as  she  is 
concerned.' 

1896.  COTSFORD  DICK,  Ways  of 
World,  53.  He  calls  the  sunrise  a  '  RIPPIN 
show.' 

RIPPING,^.  (Eton  College).— A 
ceremony  incidental  to  the  de- 
parture of  a  Senior  Colleger  for 
King's  College,  Cambridge :  when 


Rise. 


Roach. 


he  has  '  got  King's '  his  gown  is 
stitched  up  that  it  may  be  RIPPED 
afterwards. 

Adj.     See  RIPPER. 

RISE,  subs,  (colloquial). — An  ad- 
vance :  in  salary,  price,  betting, 
status,  rank,  &c.  See  RAISE. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  liii. 
Eighteen  bob  a-week,  and  a  RISE  if  he 
behaved  himself. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  ii. 
42.  A  friend  or  two  in  London  .  .  .  gave 
me  a  bit  of  a  RISE,  so  I  began  as  a  coster- 
monger. 

1864.  TENNYSON,  Ay  Inzer's  Field. 
Wrinkled  benchers  oft  talk'd  of  him  Ap- 
provingly, and  prophesied  his  RISE. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  70. 
As  to  my  chance  of  a  RISE  wot  do  you 
think,  old  pal ! 

Verb,  (colloquial). — I.  To  play 
into  one's  hands ;  to  listen  credu- 
lously. 

1856.  WHYTE  -  MELVILLE,  Kate 
Coventry,  xvi.  John  ROSE  freely  in  a 
moment  ...  he  burst  out  quite  savagely. 

2.     See  RAISE. 

To  GET  (HAVE  or  TAKE)  A 
RISE  OUT  OF  ONE,  verb.  phr. 
(common). — To  mortify  ;  to  make 
ridiculous ;  to  outwit. 

1600.  KEMP,  Dance  to  Norwich 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  52.  The  new 
substantives  are  pipe,  a  RISE  (leap); 
whence  comes  "  GET  A  RISE  OUT  OF  HIM  "]. 

d.iSsg.  DE  QUINCEY,  Spanish  Nun. 
Possibly  TAKING  A  RISE  out  of  his  worship 
the  Corregidor. 

1901.  Sporting  Times,  6  Ap.,  i,  4. 
But,  I  don't  care  how  hard  he  tries,  He 
out  of  me  can't  TAKE  A  RISE. 

PHRASES. — To  RISE  A  BARNEY 
(showmen's)  =  to  collect  a  crowd  ; 

TO    RISE    ARSE     UPWARDS  =  '  A 

sign  of  good  luck '  (RAY). 

RISING,  quasi-adv.  (colloquial). — i. 
Upwards  of ;  and  (2)  approaching 
to. 


1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  i. 
7.  When  Mr.  Verdant  Green  was  (in 
stable  language]  RISING  sixteen. 

RISPIN.     See  RESPIN. 

RITES  OF  LOVE,  subs.  phr.  (con- 
ventional). —  Copulation  :  see 
GREENS. 

^.1638.     CAREW,    The  Rapture.      We 
only  sin  when  LOVE'S  RITES  are  not  done. 

1733.  BAILEY,  Coll.  Eras.,  'The 
Uneasy  Wife.'  There  are  some  Women 
who  will  be  querulous,  and  scold  even 
while  the  RITES  OF  LOVE  are  performing. 

RIVER  LEA,  subs.  phr.  (rhyming).  — 
The  sea. 

RIVER-  RAT,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
—  A  riverside  thief:  specifically 
one  who  robs  the  corpses  of 
men  drowned. 

RIVER  TICK.     See  TICK. 

RIVET,  subs,  (common).  —  In  pi.  = 
money  :  see  RHINO. 

Verb,  (colloquial).  —  To  marry  ; 
TO    HITCH     (q.V.)  ;     TO     SPLICE 


1700.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  the  World, 
i.  2.  "  Sir,  there's  such  coupling  at  Pan- 
eras  that  they  stood  behind  one  another  as 
'twere  in  a  country  dance  ...  so  we 
drove  round  to  Duke's  Place,  and  there 
they  were  RIVETTED  in  a  trice." 

Riz.    See  RAISE. 

RIZZLE,  verb,  (provincial).  —  See 
quot. 

1890.  Cassetts  Sat.  Jour.,  -2.  Aug., 
1068,  i.  The  newest  of  new  verbs  is  the 
verb  to  RIZZLE  ...  to  enjoy  a  short 
period  of  absolute  idleness  after  a  meal. 

R.M.D.,  phr.  (common).  —  Ready 
Money  Down;  immediate  pay- 
ment. 

ROACH.    See  SOUND. 


Road. 


37 


Roaratorio. 


ROAD,  subs,  (venery).— i.  The  fe- 
male pudendum  :  also  ROAD  TO 
HEAVEN  (or  PARADISE)  :  see 
MONOSYLLABLE.  Whence  ROAD- 
MAKING  (or  ROAD  UP  FOR  RE- 
PAIRS) =  menstruation.  Also  (2) 
a  harlot. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.,  ii. 
2,  182.  This  Doll  Tearsheet  should  be 
some  ROAD. 

£.1796.      BURNS,    Merry   Muses,   112. 
TO  TAKE  TO  THE   ROAD,  Verb. 

phr.  (various). — To  turn  high- 
wayman (THE  ROAD  also  =  high- 
way robbery) ;  footpad  ;  beggar  ; 
tramp ;  or  commercial.  Whence 

ROAD-AGENT,     GENTLEMAN     (or 

KNIGHT)  OF  THE  ROAD  =  (i)  a 
highwayman,  and  (2)  a  com- 
mercial traveller. 

1704.  [AsHTON,  Social  Life,  &>c.,  n. 
242].  There  is  always  some  little  Trifle 
given  to  Prisoners,  they  call  Garnish ;  we 
OF  THE  ROAD  are  above  it. 

1730.  SWIFT,  Copt.  Creichton  [OLi- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  162.  Among  the 
verbs  are  ...  GO  UPON  THE  ROAD  (as  a 
highwayman)  .  .  .]. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  13.  I  do  not  think  you  are  fool 
enough  to  make  any  bones  about  consort- 
ing with  GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  ROAD. 

1883.  STEVENSON,  Silverado  Squat- 
ters, 15.  The  highway  robber — ROAD- 
AGENT,  he  is  quaintly  called. 

1893.  Standard,  29  Jan.,  2.  Now 
suppose  we  are  ON  THE  ROAD  .  .  .  and  we 
meet  a  josser  policeman. 

1895.  MARRIOTT- WATSON  [New  Re- 
view, July,  8].  But  if  a  GENTLEMAN  _OF 
THE  ROAD  must  be  hindered  by  the  im- 
pudent accidents  of  the  weather,  he  had 
best  .  .  .  settle  down  with  empty  pockets 
afore  a  mercer's  counter. 

ROAF,  adj.  (back  slang). —Four. 
Hence  ROAF  -  YANNEPS  =  four- 
pence;  ROAF-GEN  =  four  shillings. 

ROACH -AND- DACE,  subs.  phr. 
(rhyming).— The  face  :  see  DIAL. 


ROADSTER,  subs,  (hunting). —  A 
person  who  prefers  the  road  to 
cross  country  riding. 

1885.  Field,  4  Ap.  Once  in  a  way 
the  ROADSTERS  and  shirkers  are  distinctly 
favoured. 

ROARER,  subs,  (common). — Any- 
thing especially  loud  :  e.g.  (i)  = 
a  broken-winded  horse  (GROSE) ; 
(2)  a  pushing  newsvendor;  (3) 
a  stump-orator.  Hence  ROAR  = 

(1)  to  breathe  hard :    of  horses ; 

(2)  to   RANT  (q.V.)  ;   ROARING  = 

the    disease    in    horses    causing 
broken  wind. 

1752.  JOHNSON,  Rambler,  No.  144. 
The  ROARER  .  .  .  has  no  other  qualifica- 
tions for  a  champion  of  controversy  than  a 
hardened  front  and  a  strong  voice. 

1837.  PEAKE,  Quarter  to  Nine,  i. 
His  horse  is  neither  a  crib  biter  nor  a 

ROARER. 

^.1841.  HOOK,  Man  of  Many  Friends. 
His  stalls  at  Melton  inhabited  by  slugs 
and  ROARERS. 

1841.  THACKERAY,  Sketches,  'A 
Night's  Pleasure.'  Cox's  most  roomy  fly 
...  in  which  he  insists  on  putting  the 
ROARING  gray  horse. 

1847.  ROBB,  Traits  of  Squatter 
Life,  64.  Ben  was  an  old  Mississip" 

ROARER. 

1850.  STOWE,  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin, 
viii.  Tom's  a  ROARER  when  there's  any 
thumping  or  fighting  to  be  done. 

1865.  Evening  Citizen,  7  Aug.  One 
of  a  class  of  men  known  as  ROARERS  went 
round  with  a  few  evening  papers  which  he 
announced  to  be  "extraordinary  editions." 

1872.  Figaro,  30  Nov.  Greeley'stoo 
great  a  ROARER,  and  depended  too  much 
on  the  stump. 

1872.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch,  xxiii. 
The  horse  was  a  penny  trumpet  to  that 
ROARER  of  yours. 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  5  Jan.,  2,  6. 
Prosecutor,  after  paying  for  the  mare,  dis- 
covered her  to  be  a  ROARER. 

ROARATORIO,  subs.  (old).  —  An 
oratorio.— GROSE  (1785)- 


Roaring. 


Roaring-forties. 


ROARING,  adj.  and  adv.  (common). 
— Brisk  ;  successful ;  strong  :  see 

DRIVE,  HUMMING,  &C. 

1831.  PLANCHE,  Olympic  Revels,  3. 
But  what  a  ROARING  trade  I'm  driving, 
burn  me !  But  I  can  scarcely  tell  which 
way  to  turn  me. 

1837.  MARRY  ATT,  Snarleyow,  xii. 
You've  got  a  ROARING  fire,  I'll  bet. 

1883.  Referee,  20  May,  2,  4.  Rain 
having  kindly  come  to  the  rescue  of 
managers  on  Whit- Monday,  most  theatres 
did  a  ROARING  trade. 


ROARING-BOY    (•  BLADE,     -GIRL, 

-LAD,  -RUFFIAN, &C.,  or  ROARER), 
subs.  phr.  (old). — A  street  bully  : 
late  1 6th  and  I7th  centuries : 

also  OATMEAL  (q.V.)  and  TER- 
RIBLE-BOY (q.V.).  Also  ROAR, 
verb.  =  to  riot  ;  to  swagger  ; 
ROARING  =  riotous.  As  adv.  = 
extravagantly,  noisily,  superbly. 
— B.  E.  (^.1696);  GROSE  (1785). 

<r.i6oo.  Brave  English  Gypsey  [CoL- 
LIER,  Roxburgh  Ballads  (1847),  185]. 
Our  knockers  make  no  noise,  We  are  no 

ROARING  BOYES. 

1603.  DEKKER,  London's  Tempe. 
The  gallant  HOARS  ;  ROARERS  drink  oathes 
and  gall. 

1609.  SHAKSPEARE,  Tempest,  i.    i. 
What  care  these  ROARERS  for  the  name  of 
King? 

1610.  BEAUMONT   and    FLETCHER, 
Philaster,  v.  4.     We  are  thy  myrmidons, 
thy  guard,   thy  ROARERS.     Ibid.   (1616), 
Widow,  ii.  3.  Two  ROARING-BOYS  of  Rome 
that  made  all  split. 

1611.  MIDDLETON,     THE   ROAR- 
ING GIRL  [Title].     Ibid.  (1617),  A  Paire 
Quarrell,  v.  i.     I  saw  a  youth,  a  gentle- 
mun,  a  ROARER. 

c.i  620.  Court  and  Times  James  I. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  58.  The  new 
cant  word  ROARING  BOY  comes  up  in 
p.  322]. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works  [NARES]. 
Virago  ROARING  GIRLES,  that  to  their 
middle,  To  know  what  sexe  they  were, 
was  halfe  a  riddle. 


1640.  HUMPHRY  MILL.  Night's 
Search,  Sect.  8,  42.  Two  ROARING 
BLADES  being  on  a  time  in  drink. 

1640.  The  Wandering  Jew.  "lam 
a  man  of  the  Sword  ;  a  Battopn  Gallant, 
one  of  our  Dammees,  a  bouncing  Boy,  a 
kicker  of  Bawdes,  a  tyrant  over  Puncks,  a 
terrour  to  Fencers,  a  mewer  of  Playes,  a 
jeerer  of  Poets,  a  gallon-pot-flinger  ;  in 
rugged  English,  a  ROARER." 

1658.  ROWLEY  [NARES],  i.  2.    One 
of  the  country  ROARING  LADS  ;  we  have 
such,  as  well  as  the  city,  and  as  arrant 
rakehells  as  they  are. 

1659.  MASSINGER,  City  Madam,  iii. 
z    know   them,    swaggering,    SUBURBIAN 
ROARERS,  Sixpenny  truckers. 

1664.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie  (ist 
ed.),  10.  A  Crew  of  drunken  ROARING 
RUFFINS. 


ROCHESTER,  Song  {Works}. 
Room  for  a  bold  blade  of  the  Town  That 
takes  delight  in  ROARING. 

1697.  VANBRUGH,  Prov.  Wife,  iii.  2. 
We's  got  a'  ROARING  FOW. 

1759.  TOWNLEY,  High  Life  Below 
Stairs,  i.  ».  We'll  have  a  ROARING  night. 

1791.  BURNS,  Tarn  o'Shanter.  That 
every  naig  was  ca'd  a  shoe  on  The  smith 
and  thee  gat  ROARING  FOU  on. 

1822.  SCOTT,  Fort,  of  Nigel,  xvii. 
The  tarnished  doublet  of  bald  velvet  .  .  . 
will  best  suit  the  garb  of  a  ROARING  BOY. 

1834.  MARRY  AT,  Peter  Simple, 
xxviii.  Three  of  our  men  whom  he  had 
picked  up,  ROARING  DRUNK. 

ROARING  BUCKLE.    See  BUCKLE. 

ROARING-  FORTIES,  subs.  phr.  (nau- 
tical). —  The  degrees  of  latitude 
between  40°  and  50°  N  —  the  most 
tempestuous  part  of  the  Atlantic  : 
also,  occasionally  to  the  same 
zone  in  the  South  Atlantic. 

1883.  BUCHAN    [Ency.    Brit.,    xvi. 
146,  2.    The  region  of  the   'brave  west 
winds,1  the  ROARING  FORTIES  of  sailors. 

1884.  LADY  BRASSEY,  The  Trades, 
Tropics,  and  '  ROARING  FORTIES'  [Title]. 

1893.  J.  A.  BARRY,  Steve  Brown's 
Bunytp,  165.  They  found  the  ROARING 
FORTIES  quite  strong  enough  for  them. 


Roaring  game. 


39 


Roast. 


ROARING  GAME  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(Scots').  —  Curling.  [BURNS  : 
'  The  curlers  quest  their  ROARING 

PLAY.'] 

ROARING  MEG,  subs.  phr.  (old).  — 
(i)  A  very  famous  piece  of  ord- 
nance ;  whence  (2)  anything  loud, 
efficient,  or  extraordinary. 

1575.  CHURCHYARD,  Chipper,  'Siege 
of  Edenbrough  Castell.'  With  thondryng 
noyes  was  shot  of[f]  ROERING  MEG. 

1602.  MIDDLETON,  Blurt.  Master 
Constable,  n.  ii.  O,  Cupid,  grant  that  my 
blushing  prove  not  a  hntstock,  and  give 
fire  too  suddenly  to  the  ROARING  MEG  of 
my  desires. 

1621.  BURTON,  A  nat.  efMetan.  A 
ROARING  MEG  against  melancholy,  to  rear 
and  revive  the  languishing  soul. 

1623.  FLETCHER  and  ROWLEY,  Maid 
of  the  Mill,  in.  ii.  I'll  sell  my  mill,  and 
buy  a  ROARING  MEG  ;  I'll  batter  down  his 
house. 


1630.  TAYLOR,  Works  [NAKES].  Thy 
name  and  voice,  more  fear'd  then  Guy  of 
Warwick,  Or  the  rough  rumbling,  ROAR- 
ING MEG  of  Barwicke. 

1638.  WHITING,  A  Ibino  ana  Bellama. 
Beates  downe  a  fortresse  like  a  ROARING 
MEG. 

ROAST,  verb.  (old).  —  I.  To  ridicule; 
TO  QUIZ  (q.v.}.  —  GROSE. 

^.1732.    ATTERBURY,  Epist.  Corr.,  ii. 

gr.  Bishop  Atterbury's  ROASTING  lord 
>  ningsby  about  the  topick  of  being  priest- 
ridden. 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Peregrine  Pickle, 
Ixxi.  Who  no  sooner  entered  the  room 
than  the  mistress  of  the  house  very  kindly 
desired  one  of  the  wits  present  to  ROAST 
the  old  put. 

1780.  LEE,  Chapter  of  Accidents, 
iii.  i.  But  I  must  keep  my  own  counsel, 
or  my  old  beau  of  a  brother  will  ROAST  me 
to  death  on  my  system  of  education. 

1854.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  General 
Bounce,  xiii.  "  Let  them  but  lay  a  finger 
on  my  '  Medea,'  and  I'll  give  them  such  a 
ROASTING  as  they  haven't  had  since  the 
days  of  the  '  Dunciad.'  " 

1807.  MITFORD,  Romance  of  Cape 
Frontier,  i.  ix.  Poor  Allen  was  ROASTED 
unmercifully  on  the  strength  of  it. 


2.  (thieves').— (a)  To  watch 
closely  ;  TO  STALL  (?.».).  Also 

TO       ROAST      BROWN     and      TO 

GET  (or  GIVE)  A  ROASTING  :  Fr. 
pousser  de  la  ficelle.  Thus  (old) 

TO    SMELL    OF    THE    ROAST  =  to 

get  into  prison. — B.  E.  (^.1696) ; 
GROSE  (1785). 

1587.  Mir  our  for  Magistrates 
[NARES].  My  souldiers  were  slayne  fast 
before  mine  owne  eyes,  Or  forc'd  to  flie, 
yeilde,  and  SMELL  OF  THE  ROST. 

1879.  HORSLEY,  Jottings  from  Jail 
[Mac.  Mag.,  xl.  504].  I  see  a  reeler 
giving  me  a  ROASTING,  so  I  began  to  count 
my  pieces  for  a  jolly. 

1888.  SIMS,  Plank  Bed  Ballad 
[Referee,  12  Feb.].  A  reeler  was  ROASTING 

ME  BROWN. 

PHRASES.— To  RULE  THE 
ROAST  =  to  lead,  to  domineer 
(B.  E.,  GROSE)  ;  TO  CRY 
ROAST  MEAT  =  to  chatter  about 
one's  good  fortune  (B.  E.,  GROSE); 

TO     MAKE     ROAST      MEAT      FOR 

WORMS  =  to    kill ;    TO     GIVE 

ROAST    MEAT   AND    BEAT    WITH 

THE  SPIT  =  '  to  do  one  a  Curtesy, 
and  Twit  or  Upbraid  him  with  it ' 

(B.    E.)  ;  TO   ROAST  SNOW  IN  A 

FURNACE  =  to  attempt  the  un- 
necessary or  absurd.  Also  PRO- 
VERBIAL SAYINGS  : — '  Set  a  fool 
to  ROAST  eggs,  and  a  wise  man 
to  eat  them ' ;  c  You  are  in  your 
ROAST  MEAT  when  others  are  in 
their  fod '  ;  *  There's  reason  in 
ROASTING  of  eggs '  ;  '  Great 
boast  and  small  ROAST  make  un- 
savoury mouths.'  Cf.  RIB- 
ROASTER. 

c.-i 380.  Debate  of  the  Carpenters' 
TW/tHAZLiTT,  Early  Pop.  Poet,  i.  85]. 
My  mayster  yet  shall  REULE  THE  ROSTE. 

d  K52Q.  SKELTON,  Why  Cortte  Ye  not 
to  Court.  He  RULETH  all  THE  ROSTE 
With  bragging  and  with  boste. 


Roast-and-boiled. 


40 


Robe. 


1594.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Henry  IV.,  \. 
i.  "  Suffolk,  the  new-made  duke,  that 
RULES  THE  ROAST."  Ibid.  (1608),  Pericles, 
i.  3.  Pand.  The  poor  Transylvanian  is 
dead,  that  lay  with  the  little  baggage. 
Boult.  Ay,  she  quickly  poop'd  him ;  she 
made  him  ROAST  MEAT  FOR  WORMS. 

1606.  CHAPMAN,  Gentleman  Usher, 
v.  Ah,  I  do  domineer,  and  RULE  THE 
ROAST. 

1634.  LENTON,  Innes  of  Court  A  nag. 
[NARES],  They  boast  Of  dainty  cates, 
and  afterwards  CRY  ROAST. 

^.1662.  GAUDEN,  Tears  of  the  Church, 
682.  He  might .  .  .  not  have  PROCLAIMED 
on  the  housetop  to  all  the  world  the  ROST- 
MEAT  he  hath  gotten. 

1670.  COTTON,  Scoffer  Scofft  [  Works 
(1725),  256].  Why  then,  if  I  may  RULE 
THE  ROAST,  I  affect  naked  Women  most. 

1719.  DURFEY,  Pills,  iii.  22.  When 
you  GIVE  a  Man  ROAST-MEAT,  AND  BEAT 
WITH  THE  SPIT. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random,  li. 
Who  was  hand  and  glove  with  a  certain 
person    who    RULED    THE    ROAST.     Ibid. 
(1749),  Gil  Bias  [ROUTLEDGE],  362.     She 
began  to  see  that   there  was  REASON  IN 

ROASTING  OF  EGGS. 

1749.  FIELDING,    Tom  Jones,  iv.   v. 
To  trumpet  forth  the  praises  of  such  a 
person    would  ...    be    CRYING    ROAST 
MEAT. 

1809.  LAMB,  Chris? s  Hospital.  The 
foolish  beast,  not  able  to  fare  well  but  he 
must  CRY  ROAST  MEAT  .  .  .  would  needs 
proclaim  his  good  fortune  to  the  world 
below. 

1829.  MONCRIEFF,  Giovanni  in 
London,  i.  3.  Now,  sirs,  I  hope  you'll 
own  we  are  your  wives,  the  rulers  of  the 

ROAST. 

ROAST  -  AND  -  BOILED,  subs.  phr. 
(old).— The  Life  Guards:  'who 
are  mostly  substantial  house- 
keepers, and  eat  daily  of  ROAST 
AND  BOILED '  (GROSE). 

ROASTER,  subs.  (Irish). — See  quot. 

1888.  D.  Tel.,  29  Nov.  The  meaning 
of  "ROASTERS"  was  turnspits  for  land- 
lords ;  that  the  names  of  the  "ROASTERS  " 
were  kept  ;  that  when  particular 
"ROASTERS  "  were  to  be  boycotted  it  was 
the  League  that  boycotted  them  ;  and  that 
he  dare  not  work  for  the  men  whose  names 
were  on  the  list. 


ROASTING-JACK,  subs.  phr.  (ve- 
nery). — The  female  pudendum: 
see  MONOSYLLABLE. 

ROAST- MEAT  CLOTHES,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — Sunday  or  holiday  gear 
(B.  E.,  GROSE). 

ROB.    See  BARN,  PETER. 
ROBA.     See  BONA-ROBA. 

ROB-ALTAR,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
sacrilegious  plunderer. 

^.1655.    ADAMS,  Works,  i.  179.     What 
law  can  be  given  to  ROB-ALTARS  ? 

ROBBERY.  EXCHANGE  is  NO  ROB- 
BERY, phr.  (old). — An  excuse  for 
a  forced  or  jesting  imposition. — 
HEYWOOD  (1546);  RAY  (1760). 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  35.  Since  you  have  taken  a  fancy 

to  it,  an  EXCHANGE  IS  NO  ROBBERY  ...  a 

genteel  way  enough  of  making  a  present. 

ROB -DAVY  (or  ROB-O'-DAVY),  stibs. 
phr.  (old  colloquial). — Metheglin. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works  [NARES]. 
Peter-see-mea,  or  headstrong  Charnico, 
Sherry,  nor  ROB-O'-DAVY  here  could  flow. 

ROBE.  GENTLEMAN  OF  THE 
LONG  ROBE,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
A  lawyer :  see  LONG  ROBE  for 
addit.  quots. 

1677.  YARRANTON,  Eng.  Impr.,  34. 
Three  worthy  GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  LONG 
ROBE. 

1702.  STEELE,  Grief-a-la-Moae, 
Pref.  Far  be  it  from  any  Man's  Thought 
to  say  there  are  not  MEN  of  strict  Integrity 
OF  THE  LONG  ROBE,  tho"  it  is  not  every 
Body's  good  Fortune  to  meet  with  them. 

1856.  MOTLEY,  Dutch  Republic,  i. 
377.  Rich  advocates,  and  other  GENTLE- 
MEN OF  THE  ROBE. 

1863:  THACKERAY,  Roundabout 
Papers,  xviii.  His  honour  being  even 
then  a  GENTLEMAN  OF  THE  LONG  ROBE. 


Roberd' s-man. 


Rob-pot. 


ROBERD'S-MAN  (-KNAVE,  or  Ro- 
BERTS'-MAN),  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
'The  third  (old)  Rank  of  the 
Canting  Crew,  mighty  Thieves, 
like  Robin-hood.'— B.  £.(^.1696); 
GROSE  (1785). 

1362.  LANGLAND,  Piers  Plowman, 
3.  In  glotonye  .  .  .  Go  thei  to  bedde, 
And  risen  with  ribaudie  Tho  ROBERDES 
KNAVES. 

1838.      TOMLINS,    Law.    Diet.,    s.v. 

ROBBERSMEN,    Or   ROBBERDSMEN      were   a 

sort  of  great  thieves  mentioned  in  the 
statutes  (5  Edw.  3,  &c.]  ...  of  whom 
Coke  says,  that  Robin  Hood  lived  in  the 
reign  of  King  Richard  I.,  on  the  borders 
of  England  and  Scotland  by  robbery, 
burning  of  houses,  rapine  and  spoil,  &c., 
and  that  these  ROBBERDSMEN  took  name 
from  him. 

ROBERT  (or  ROBERTO),  subs,  (com- 
mon).— A  policeman. 

1870.  Figaro,  18  Nov.  That  intoler- 
able nuisance,  the  "  British  Peeler" — who 
is  always  poking  his  nose  where  he  is  not 
wanted,  and  is  never  to  be  found  when  he 
is — is,  after  all,  a  sensitive  creature.  The 
blood  of  the  ROBERTS  is  at  length  aroused. 

1880.  SIMS,  An  Awful  Character. 
The  guilt  of  one  person  is  well  to  the  fore, 
For  our  ROBERTS  so  terribly  fly  are. 

ROBIN,  suds,  (common). — A  penny: 
see  RHINO. 

1 894.  Chatham  and  R  ochester  News , 
20  Jan.,  7,  5.  Witness  asked  him  how 
much  he  got,  and  he  said  "  Seventeen  and 
a  ROBIN." 

2.    (American).  —  '  A    flannel 
under-shirt. ' — BARTLETT. 

See  ROUND  ROBIN. 

ROBIN  HOOD.  Many  phrases  trace 
back  to  the  legend  of  this  heroic 
thief.  Thus  ROBIN  HOOD,  subs. 
=  a  daring  lie  ;  ROBIN  HOOD'S 
PENNYWORTH  (see  quots.  1662 
and  1682)  ;  *  GOOD  EVEN,  GOOD 
ROBIN  HOOD'  (said  of  civility 
extorted  by  fear)  ;  '  Many  talk 
of  ROBIN  HOOD  that  never  shot 


in  his  bow '  =  Many  speak  of 
things  of  which  they  have  no 
knowledge  ;  '  Tales  of  ROBIN 
HOOD  are  good  enough  for  fools.' 

1509.  BARCLAY,  Ship  of  Fooles  (1570), 
fol.  250.  I  write  no  ieste  ne  TALE  OF 
ROBIN  HOOD. 

d.  1 529.  S  KELTON,  Why  Come  Ye,  &c. , 
193.  Is  nat  my  reason  good?  GOOD 
EUYN,  GOOD  ROBYN  HOOD  !  Some  say 
yes,  and  some  Syt  styll  as  they  were  dom. 

i6[?].  Star  Chamber  Case  [Camden 
Soc.,  117].  "Walton  the  Bayliffejleavyed 
of  the  poore  mans  goods  77/2'  att  ROBIN- 

HOOU'S   PENIWORTHS." 

1633.  T-  NEWTON,  Lennies  Touch- 
stone of  Complexions,  129.  Reporting  a 
flim-flam  TALE  OF  ROBIN  HOOD. 

1652.  ASHMOLE,  Theat.  Chem.  Brit., 
175.  Many  man  spekyth  wyth  wondreng 
Of  ROBYN  HODE,  and  of  his  bow,  Whych 
never  shot  therin,  I  trow. 

1662.  FULLER,  Worth.  Eng.,  315. 
To  sell  ROBIN  HOODS  PENNYWORTHS. — It 
is  spoken  of  things  sold  under  half  their 
value  ;  or  if  you  will,  half  sold  half  given. 
ROBIN  HOOD  came  lightly  by  his  ware,  and 
lightly  parted  therewith  ;  so  that  he  could 
afford  the  length  of  his  Bow  for  a  yard  of 
Velvet. 

1682.  BARNARD,  Life  of  Heylin, 
cxli.  Soldiers  seized  on  all  ...  for  the 
use  of  the  Parliament  (as  they  pretended) 
but  sold  as  they  passed  along  to  any 
chapman,  inconsiderable  rates,  ROBIN 

HOOD'S  PENNYWORTHS. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  i.  viii.  8. 
Many  Fools,  their  Parts  to  show  Will 
TALK  OF  ROBIN  AND  HIS  Bow  That  never, 
by  Enquiry,  knew  Whether  'twas  made  ot 
Steel  or  Yew. 

ROBIN    REDBREAST,    subs.    phr. 
(old). — A  Bow-street  runner  :  also 

ROBIN  and  REDBREAST. 

ROBIN'S-EYE,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
— A  scab. 

ROBINSON.    See  JACK  ROBINSON. 

ROB-POT,    subs.   phr.    (old). — A 

drunkard  ;  a  MALT-WORM  (y.v.). 

1622.     MASSINGER,    Virgin  Martyr, 

ii.  i.     Bacchus,   the  god  of  brew'd  wine 

and  sugar,  grand  patron  of  ROB-POTS. 


Rob-the-ruffian. 


42 


Rocker. 


ROB-THE-RUFFIAN,  subs.  phr. 
(venery).— The  female  pudendum: 
see  MONOSYLLABLE. 

ROB-THIEF,  subs.  phr.  (old). — See 
quot. 

<£.i655.  ADAMS,  Works,  i.  195.  Now 
he  plays  ROB-THIEF,  and  steals  from 
himself. 

ROBY  DOUGLAS,  subs.  phr.  (nau- 
tical).— The  breech  :  see  MONO- 
CULAR-EYEGLASS. 

ROCHESTER- PORTION,  subs.  phr. 
(old).— 'Two  torn  Smocks,  and 
what  Nature  gave.' — B.  E.  (c. 
1696);  GROSE  (1785). 

ROCK,  subs,  (common). — Generic 
for  hard  eatables  :  —  (i)  =  a 
cheese  made  from  skim-milk, 
and  said  to  be  '  used  in  making 
pins  to  fasten  gates'  (Hampshire) ; 
(2)  a  kind  of  hard  sweetmeat ;  (3) 
school  bread  as  distinguished 
from  '  baker's  -  bread  '  (Derby 
School) ;  (4)  a  hard  kind  of  soap  : 
see  quot.  18  .  .  ;  &c.,  &c. 

1857.  KINGSLEY,  Two  Years  Ago, 
xv.  Promising  them  ROCK  and  bull's-eyes. 

1885.  W.  L.  CARPENTER,  Soap  and 
Candles,  254.  Calcium  stearate  and  oleate 
are  formed  .  .  .  These  .  .  .  when  mixed 
together  constitute  an  insoluble  soap, 
technically  called  ROCK. 

1888.  Harpers  Mag.,  Ixxvi.  625. 
Pieces  of  peppermint  ROCK  .  .  .  prized  by 
youthful  gourmands. 

5.  (common). — A  rock  pigeon. 

1885.  Field,  4  Ap.  Being  a  bit  slow 
in  firing,  a  fast  ROCK  escaped  him. 

6.  (American).  —  In    pi.  — 
money.     Hence  POCKETFUL  OF 

ROCKS  =  flush  J    ON   THE   ROCKS 
=  STRANDED  ($.V.). 

1846.  Pickings  from  the  New  Orleans 
Picayune.  Spare  my  feelings,  Squire, 
and  don't  ask  me  to  tell  any  more.  Here 
I  am  in  town  without  a  ROCK  in  my 
pocket,  and  without  a  skirt  to  my  coat,  or 
crown  to  my  hat. 


1847.  ROBB,    Squatter   Life,    165. 
You  know  if  I  had  a  POCKET  FULL  OF 
ROCKS  you  should  share  them. 

7.  (American).  —  A  pebble;  a 
stone  (at  Winchester  =  a  medium- 
sized  stone)  :  as  verb.  =  to  throw 
stones. 

i8[?].  Joneskorough  (Tenn.)  Whig 
[BARTLETT].  They  commenced  ROCKING 
the  Clay  Club  House  in  June,  on  more 
occasions  than  one,  and  on  one  occasion 
threw  a  ROCK  in  at  the  window. 

1848.  Georgia    Scenes,    193.     S  - 
came  home  in  a  mighty  bad  way,  with  a 
cold  and  a  cough  ;  so  I  put  a  hot  ROCK  to 
his  feet,  &c. 

1872.  O.  W.  HOLMES,  Poet  at 
Break/.  Table,  xii.  The  boys  would 
follow  .  .  .  crying,  c  ROCK  him  !  '  .  .  . 
He's  got  a  long-tailed  coat  on. 

1893.  BRET  HARTE,  Soc.  on  the 
Stanislaus.  Nor  should  the  individual 
.  .  .  Reply  by  heaving  ROCKS  at  him. 

8.  (common).  —  A    cause    of 
difficulty,  defeat,  or  annoyance  : 
as  an   over-trump  at  cards,   an 
obstacle  suddenly  placed  in  one's 
way,  and  so  forth. 

1601.  SHAKSPEARE,  Henry  VIII.,  i. 
i,  113.  Lo,  where  comes  that  ROCK,  That 
I  advise  your  shunning.  [Enter  Cardinal 
Wolsey.] 


<f.i6s4.      SELDEN,     Table    Talk 
Every  Church 


,     57. 

govern  d    tse,  or  else  we 
must  fall  upon  that  old  foolish  ROCK,  that 


vern  'd  itself,  or 
t  old  foolish  RO, 
St.  Peter  and  his  Successours  govern'd  all. 


THE  ROCK,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon). — Gibraltar. 

TO   DO   BY   ROCK  OF  EYE  AND 

RULE  OF  THUMB,  verb.  phr. 
(tailors'). — To  substitute  guess- 
work for  exact  measurement. 

See  BEDROCK,  ROCKER. 

ROCKER  (or  ROKKER),  verb. 
(tramps' :  originally  Gypsy). — I. 
To  understand  ;  (2)  to  speak. 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jack,  231. 
Can  you  ROCKER  Romany,  Can  you  patter 
flash? 


Rocketer. 


43 


Roger. 


1893.  Standard,   99   Jan.,    t.    We 
have  to  be  out  in  the  road  early,  you  know 
to  secure  pur   "Toby"  (great  laughter)! 
Thats  plain.     We  don't  ROCK  Romany 
all  day  long  (laughter). 

1894.  A.  MORRISON  [Strand  Mag., 
July,  60].     Hewitt  could  ROKKER  better 
than  most  Romany  chals  themselves. 

ROCKETER,  subs,  (sporting). —A 
flushed  pheasant,  rising  quick  and 
straight  ;  ROCKETTING  =  rising 
straight. 

1869.  Quarterly  Rev.,  cxxvii.  387. 
The  driven  partridge  and  the  ROCKETING 
pheasant  are  beyond  the  skill  of  many  a 
man  who  considers  himself  a  very  good 

1884.  Field,  6  Dec.  It  is  nonsense 
to  say  that  a  ROCKETER  is  easily  disposed 

1888.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxvii.  182. 
Presently  an  old  cock-pheasant  came 
ROCKETING  over  me. 

ROCK-SCORPION,  subs.  phr.  (naval 
and  military). — A  mongrel  Gib- 
ralterine  :  Spanish,  Portuguese, 
French,  Genoese,  Barbary  He- 
brew, Moorish,  negro — a  mixture 
of  all  mettles. 

ROCKY     (ROCKED,    or    ROCKETTY), 

adj.  (common). — I.  Broken  :  by 
drink,  illness,  poverty;  and  (2) 
difficult ;  dubious  ;  debateable. 
Hence  TO  GO  ROCKY  =  to  go  to 
pieces;  to  go  wrong.  Whence 
ROCKINESS  =  (i)  craziness;  (2) 
incapacity,  utter  or  partial ;  OFF 
ONE'S  ROCKER  =  crazy ;  ROCKED 

IN     A     STONE     KITCHEN  =   *  the 

person  spoken  of  is  a  fool,  his 
brains  having  been  disordered  by 
the  jumbling  of  his  cradle ' 
(GROSE). 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  28  Dec.  Let 
him  keep  the  fact  of  things  having  gone 
ROCKY  with  him  as  dark  as  he  can. 

1802.  Nat.  Observer,  20  Feb.,  352,  i. 
Though  the  morals  were  ROCKY  .  .  .  the 
society  was  very  good. 


1896.  CRANE,  Maggie,  xiv.     I  call  it 
ROCKY  treatment  for  afellah  like  me. 

1897.  Sporting  Times,  13  Mar.,  i,  a. 


ROD,  subs,  (common).—  An  angler. 

1886.    Fishing  Gazette,  30  Jan.    The 
late  Sir  F.  Sykes,  a  first-rate  ROD. 

2.  (venery).—  The  penis:  see 
PRICK  :  also  FISHING  -  ROD. 
Hence  as  verb.  =  to  copulate. 

See  BREACH,  PICKLE,  TAIL. 

ROD-  MAKER,  suds.  phr.  (Winton). 
—  '  The  man  who  made  the  rods 
used  in  SIBLING  (q.v.).—  MANS- 
FIELD (^.1840). 

RODNEY.  A  REGULAR  RODNEY, 
subs.  phr.  (old).—  An  idle  fellow  ; 
a  lazybones. 

RODOMONTADE,  subs,  (old  collo- 
quial :  now  recognised).—  Boast- 
ing; swagger.  Hence  RODO- 
MONT  =  a  boaster.  [A  character 
in  Ariosto.] 

ROE,  subs,  (venery).  —  The  semen  : 
see  CREAM.  Hence  TO  SHOOT 
ONE'S  ROE  =  to  emit. 

ROF-EFIL,  subs.  phr.  (back  slang). 
—  A  life  sentence  ;  '  for  life.' 

ROGER,  subs.  (Old  Cant).—  i.  A 
portmanteau  ;  a  POGE  (q.v.\  — 
B.  E.  (<:.i696);  GROSE  (1785). 

2.  (Old  Cant).—  A  goose  :  also 
ROGER  (or  TIB)  OF  THE  BUT- 
TERY.— HARM  AN  (1567)  ;  DEK- 
KER  (1609);  B.  E.  (^.1696); 
GROSE  (1785). 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Beggar's  Busk,  v. 
j.  Margery  praters,  ROGERS,  and  Tibs 
o'  th'  Buttery. 


Rogerian. 


44 


Rogue. 


3.  (venery). — The  penis:  see 
PRICK.  Hence  as  verb.  =  to 
copulate  :  see  RIDE.  [Cf.  ROGER 
=  ram,  and  '  ROGER  a  name 
frequently  given  to  a  bull '  (B.  E., 
GROSE).] 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  xi. 
Taking  you  know  what  between  their 
fingers  and  dandling  it.  And  some  of  the 
.  .  .  women  would  give  these  names,  my 
ROGER  .  .  .  smell-smock  .  .  .  lusty  live 
sausage. 

1720.     DURFEY,   Pills,  S*c.,  vi.  201. 

And  may  Prince  G 's  ROGER  grow  stiff 

again  and  stand. 

1750.  ROBERTSON  of  Struan,  Poems, 
98.  Dear  sweet  Mr.  Wright  ...  Go 
RODGER  to-night  Your  Wife,  for  ye  want 
her. 

1794.  BURNS,  The  Summer  Morn. 
[Merry  Muses  (c. 1800),  p.  ].  To  ROGER 
Madam  Thetis.  Ibid.  (b.  1796),  '  We're  a' 
gaun  Southie,  O.'  Bonie  lassie,  braw 
lassie,  '  Will  ye  hae  a  sodger  ? '  Then  she 
took  up  her  duddie  sark,  An'  he  shot  in 
his  ROGER. 

1885.  BURTON,  Thousand  Nights, 
iii.  304.  1  will  not  ROGER  thee.  Ibid. 
(1890),  Priapeia,  xii.  Thou  shalt  be 
pedicate,  (lad)  thou  also  (lass  !)  shalt  be 

ROGERED. 

4.  (nautical). — A   pirate   flag  : 
also    JOLLY     ROGER.  —  GROSE 
(1785). 

5.  (old). — A  ROGUE  (q.V.}. 

ROGERIAN,  subs,  (old).—  A  kind  of 
wig. 

1599.  HALL,  Virgid,  in.  v.  16.  The 
sportful!  winde  to  mocke  the  headlesse 
man,  Tosses  apace  his  pitch'd  ROGERIAN. 

ROGUE  (ROGE  or  ROGER),  subs. 
(Old  Cant). — I.  A  professed 
beggar ;  '  the  fourth  Order  of 
Canters'  (AWDELEY,  HARMAN, 
B.  E.,  GROSE).  Whence  (2) 
WILD  ROGUE  (see  quot.  1567), 
and  (3,  modern)  =  a  knave  or 
rascal ;  A  ROGUE  IN  GRAIN  =  '  a 
great  rogue,  or  a  corn-chandler' 
(GROSE)  ;  A  ROGUE  IN  SPIRIT  = 
*  a  distiller  or  brandy-merchant ' 
(GROSE).  As  verb  —  to  beg. 


1531-47.  COPLAND,  Spyttel  Hous 
[HAZLITT,  Early  Pop.  Poet.,  iv.  44]. 
These  ROGERS  that  .  .  .  foot  and  frydge. 

1567.  AWDELEY,  Warning,  &*c.  .  .  . 
A  WILDE  ROGE  is  he  that  is  borne  a  Roge  : 
he  is  more  subtil  and  more  geuen  by 
nature  to  all  kinde  of  knauery  than  the 
other.  I  once  rebuking  a  wyld  roge 
because  he  went  idelly  about  he  shewed 
me  that  he  was  a  begger  by  enheritance — 
his  grandfather  was  a  begger,  his  father 
was  one,  and  he  must  nedes  be  one  by 
good  reason. 

1605.  SHAKSPEARE,  Lear,  iv.  7,  39. 
To  hovel  thee  with  swine  and  ROGUES 
forlorn. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Di- 
vague.  Raunging,  ROGUING  about. 

1619.  FLETCHER,  Wildgoose  Chase, 
ii.  3.  Ros.  'Tis  pity  such  a  lusty  fellow 
should  wander  up  and  down,  and  want 
employment.  Bel.  She  takes  me  for  a 

ROGUE. 

[Passim  in  English  literature  to  the 
present  time.] 

2.  (colloquial).  — Anything 
vicious ;      bastard ;     or     unstan- 
dardized.      Thus     ROGUE  -  ELE- 
PHANT —  an    evil-minded     mur- 
derous male  or  female  ;  ROGUE'S- 
BADGE  =  blinkers    for  a   vicious 
horse.     [Cf.    ROGUE  (christened 
Roger)     Riderhood,     DICKENS, 
Mutual  Friend.~\ 

1859.  DARWIN,  Origin  of  Species, 
42  and  43.  When  a  race  of  plants  is  ... 
established  the  seed -raisers  do  not  pick 
out  the  best  plants,  but  .  .  .  pull  up  the 
ROGUES,  as  they  call  the  plants  that  deviate 
from  the  proper  standard  .  .  .  The 
destruction  of  horses  under  a  certain  size 
.  .  .  may  be  compared  to  the  ROGUING  of 
plants. 

1888.  Referee,  n  Dec.  Admiral 
Benbow  is  a  ROGUE,  but  he  was  tried 
exceedingly  well  in  the  summer  time. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.  He  wore  the 
ROGUE'S  BADGE,  but  is  built  on  racing 
lines. 

3.  (colloquial).  —  An    endear- 
ment.   Whence  ROGUISH  =  play- 
fully mischievous. .  Also = a  wag. 


Rogue-and-pullet.         45 


Roland. 


1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hamlet,  ii.  2, 
197.  The  satirical  ROGUE  says  here  that 
old  men  have  grey  beards.  Ibid.  (1598), 
2  Hen.  IV.,  ii.  4,  233.  Ah,  you  sweet 
little  ROGUE,  you! 

1607.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER, 
Woman  Hater,  v.  5.  Come,  come,  little 
ROGUE,  thou  art  too  maidenly  [et  passim]. 

1733.  POPE,  Im.it.  of  Horace,  i.  vii. 
27.  What,  rob  your  boys?  those  pretty 

ROGUES. 

(5.1796.     BURNS,  Cessnock  Banks.    An* 
she  has  twa  sparkling  ROGUEISH  een. 

DERIVATIVES.  —  ROGUE'S- 
GALLERY  =  a  collection  of  photo- 
graphs of  convicted  prisoners  ; 
ROGUE-HOUSE  =  a  prison  or  lock- 
up ;  ROGUE-MONEY  (Scots')  =  an 
assessment  for  police  purposes  ; 
ROGUE'S-MARCH  =  the  DRUM- 
MING OUT  (q.v.)  of  a  disgraced 
soldier  or  sailor;  ROGUE'S- YARN 
=  a  worsted  thread,  varying  in 
color  in  each  dockyard,  woven  in 
each  strand  of  rope  to  prevent 
theft  and  to  trace  defective  manu- 
facture. 

1886.  BESANT,    World  went   very 
•well  Then,  xxi.     As  for  the  Hue  and  Cry, 
leave  that  to  me.     I  will  tackle  the  Hue 
and   Cry,   which   I  value  not  an  inch  of 
ROGUES'  YARN. 

1891.  Century  Diet.,  s.v.  ROGUE 
...  In  rope  made  in  United  States  navy- 
yards  the  ROGUE'S  YARN  is  twisted  in  a 
contrary  direction  to  the  others,  and  is  of 
manila  in  hemp  rope,  and  of  hemp  in 
manila  rope. 

ROGUE-AND-PULLET,  subs.  phr. 
(thieves'). — A  man  and  woman 
in  confederacy  as  thieves. 

ROGUE-AND-VILLAIN,  subs.  phr. 
(rhyming).  —  A  shilling  :  see 
RHINO. 

1887.  HORSLEY,  Jottings  from  Jail. 
Come,  cows-and-kisses,  put  the  battle  of 
the  Nile  on  your  Barnet  fair,  and  a  ROGUE 
AND  VILLAIN  in  your  sky-rocket. 

ROGU  ESH  i  P.  See  SPITTLE  ROGUE- 
SHIP. 


ROISTER  (ROYSTER  DOISTER, 
ROYSTER,  ROISTERER,  &c.), 
subs.  (old). — (i)  A  swaggerer 
(B.  E.,  GROSE)  ;  and  (2)  a  frolic. 
Whence  as  verb,  (also  ROIST)  = 
to  swagger ;  ROISTING  (ROISTER- 
ING, ROISTERLY,  or  ROISTEROUS) 
=  uproarious. 

1553-  UDALL,  ROISTER  DOIS- 
TER,  Prol.  The  vayne  glorious  .  .  . 
Whose  humour  the  ROYSTING  sort  con- 
tinually doth  feed. 

1577.  HARRISON,  England,  149. 
They  ruffle  and  ROIST  it  out. 

1602.  SHAKSPEARE,  Troilus  and 
Cress.,  ii.  2,  208.  I  have  a  ROISTING 
challenge  sent  amongst  The  dull  and 
factious  nobles  of  the  Greeks. 

1630.  Time's  Whistle  [E.  E.  T.  S.], 
60.  They  must  not  part  till  they  have 
drunk  a  barrell,  Or  straight  this  ROISTER 
will  begin  to  quarrel. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  175.  This  is  beyond  all  bearing, 
screamed  out  the  young  ROYSTER. 

1809.  IRVING,  Knickerbocker,  92. 
An  honest  social  race  of  jolly  ROYSTERS, 
who  had  no  objection  to  a  drinking  bout, 
and  were  very  merry  in  their  cups.  Ibid. , 
348.  A  gang  of  merry  ROISTERING  devils. 

1843.  CARLYLE,  Past  and  Present, 
ii.  15.  ROYSTEROUS  young  dogs  ;  carolling, 
howling,  breaking  the  Lord  Abbot's  sleep. 

1855.  TEXNYSON,  Maud,  xiv.  2.  Her 
brother  lingers  late  with  the  ROYSTERING 
company.  Ibid.  (1859),  Geraint.  A  rout 
of  ROISTERERS  femininely  fair  And  disso- 
lutely pale. 

ROKER,  subs,  (schools).— A  ruler ; 
a  stick  ;  a  poker.  FLAT-ROKER 
=  a  flat  ruler.  \_Roke  (HALLI- 
WELL)  =  to  stir  a  fire,  a  liquid, 
&c.] 

ROLAND  (or  ROWLAND)  FOR 
OLIVER,  subs.  phr.  (old).— (i)  A 
match ;  a  tit  for  tat ;  six  of  one 
and  half  a  dozen  of  the  other  :  a 
fanciful  or  practical  proof  of 
equality.— B.  E.  and  GROSE.  Fr. 
Guy  Contre  Robert. 


Roly-poly. 


46 


Roll 


[ J.      MS.    Cantab,    Ff.    u.    38, 

f.  109.  Soche  strokys  were  never  seen  in 
londe  Syth  OLYVERE  dyed  AND  Row- 
LONDE. 

1542.  HALL,  Henry  VI.,  f.  But  to 
have  a  ROWLAND  TO  resist  AN  OLIVER,  he 
sent  soletnpne  ambassadors  to  the  kyng  of 
Englande,  offeryng  hym  hys  doughter  in 
marriage. 

1565.  CALFHILL,  Treat,  of  Cross, 
374.  "Have  a  quarrel  to  ROWLAND  AND 
fight  with  OLIVER. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  / Hen.  fV..  i.  2. 
England  all  OLIVERS  AND  ROLANDS  bred. 

1612.  Court  and  Times  James  I., 
187.  There  is  hope  you  shall  have  AN 
OLIVER  FOR  A  ROLAND. 

1706.  WARD,  Wooden  World,  68. 
By  the  help  of  some  twopenny  Scribbler 
she  will  always  return  him  A  ROWLAND 
FOR  HIS  OLIVER. 

1820.  COMBE,  Syntax,  u.  iii.  \ 
shall  be  able  ...  to  bestow  ...  a  quid 
pro  quo ;  Which  I  translate  for  Madam, 
there,  A  ROWLAND  FOR  YOUR  OLIVER. 

1901.  D.  Telegraph,  18  Nov.,  7,  3. 
Oh,  we  are  getting  on  splendidly ! 
(Laughter.)  That  is  A  ROLAND  FOR  AN 
OLIVER. 

ROLY-POLY,  subs.  phr.   (old). — i. 
A  country  bumpkin. 

1602.  DEKKER,  Satiromastix^  iii. 
116.  These  two  ROLLY  FOLLIES. 

2.  (common).  —  A  jam  roll 
pudding  ;  DOG-IN-A-BLANKET  : 
also  ROLL.  UP.  As  adj.  —  round 
and  fat. 

1841.  THACKERAY,  Great  Hoggarty 
Diamond,  xii.  You  said  I  make  the  best 
ROLY-POLY  puddings  in  the  world.  Ibid. 
(1848,),  Book  of  Snobs,  i.  As  for  the  ROLY- 
POLY,  it  was  too  good. 

1851,  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  i.  207. 
Sometimes  made  in  the  rounded  form  of 
the  plum-pudding ;   but  more  frequently 
in  the  ROLY-POLY  style. 

1852.  MRS.   CRAIK,  Agatha's  Hus- 
band, xii.     Cottages,  in  the  doors  of  which 
a    few   ROLY-POLY,     open-eyed    children 
stand. 

1860.  ELIOT,  Mill  on  Floss,  \.  6.  1 
know  what  the  pudden's  to  be — apricot 
ROLL-UP — O  my  buttons  I 


1882.  WORBOISE,  Sissie,  xix.  Squashy 
ROLYPOLY  pudding. 

3.  (common). — See  quots. 

1713.  ARBUTHNOT,  Hist.  John  Bull. 
Let  us  begin  some  diversion  ;  what  d'ye 
think  of  ROULYPOULY  or  a  country  dance? 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  m. 
145.  When  I  danced  it  was  merely  a 
comic  dance— what  we  call  a  ROLEY-POLEY. 

4.  (venery). — The  penis  :   see 
PRICK. 

ROLL,  subs,  (common). — In//.  =  a 
baker  :  see  BURNCRUST.  Also 
MASTER  OF  THE  ROLLS. 

Verb.  (old). — A  verb  of  spirit : 
generic  (i)  =  to  gad  ;  (2)  to 
rollick  in  one's  walk  ;  and  (3)  to 
swagger  :  also  TO  ROLL  ABOUT. 
Whence  TO  ROLL  IN  BUB  (or 
GRUB)  =  to  have  plenty  to  eat 
(or  drink) ;  TO  ROLL  IN  GOLD 
=  to  be  monstrous  rich ;  TO 
ROLL  IN  ONE'S  IVORIES  = 

tO    kiss ;     TO     ROLL     IN     EVERY 

RIG  =  to    be     "  up  •  to  -  date  "  ; 

TO    ROLL    THE    LEER  =  to    pick 

pockets ;  TO  HAVE  A  ROLL  ON 
=  to  swagger,  to  put  on  SIDE 

(q.V.)',  TO  ROLL  ONE'S   HOOP  = 

to  go  ahead,  to  be  on  the  safe 
side  :  ROLLING  =  smart,  ready  ; 
ROLLING  KIDDY  =  a  clever  thief; 
ROLLICK  (or  ROLLOP)  =  to  romp 
along. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  Prol. 
Wife  of  Bath's  Tale,  6235.  Man  shal  not 
suffer  his  wif  go  ROULE  about. 

1542.  UDALL,  Apoph.,  243  [OLi- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  490.  A  bombastic 
orator  ROLLS  (exults)  in  painted  terms  ; 
hence  our  '  ROLL  IN  WEALTH,'  and  the 
later  ROLLICK]. 

1567.  HARM  AN,  Caveat,  20.  These 
unruly  rascals  in  their  ROLLING  disperse 
themselves  into  several  companies. 

1775.  Old  Song,  '  The  Potato  Man ' 
[FARMER,  Musa  Pedestris  (1896),  55.  I 
am  a  saucy  ROLLING  blade. 


Roller. 


47 


Roman-fall. 


1780.  TOMLINSON,  Slang  Pastoral, 
viii.  To  ROLL  IN  HER  IVORY,  to  pleasure 
her  eye. 

1789.  PARKER,  Life's  Painter,  '  The 
Happy  Pair.'  Moll  Blabbermares  and 
ROWLING  Joe.  [Note,  a  kind  of  fellow  who 
dresses  smart  or  what  they  term  natty.] 
Ibid.  Then  we'll  all  ROLL  IN  BUB  AND 
GRUB.  Ibid.  Up  to  St.  Giles's  they 
ROLL'D,  sir. 

1700.  Old  Song,  '  The  Flash  Man  of 
St.  Giles'  [The  Busy  Bee}.  We  ROLL  IN 
EVERY  knowing  RIG. 

£.1824.  EGAN,  Boxiana,  iii.  621,  622. 
The  boldest  lad  That  ever  mill'd  the  cly, 
or  ROLL'D  THE  LEER.  Ibid.  With  ROLLING 
KIDDIES,  Dick  would  dive  and  buy. 

1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford  (&$&* 
18.  He  merely  observed  by  way  of  com- 
pliment, that  Mr.  Augustus  and  his  com- 
panions seemed  to  be  ROLLING  KIDDIES. 

1836.  DICKENS,  Sketches,   'Charac- 
ters,' vii.    That  grave,  but  confident,  kind 
of  ROLL  peculiar  to  old  boys  in  general. 

1837.  HOOK,  Jack  Brag  [LATHAM]. 
He  described  his  friends  as  ROLLICKING 
blades. 

1865.  G.  MEREDITH,  Rhoda  Fleming, 
xxix.  He  had  not  even  money  enough  to 

the  cabman  ...  He  ROLLICKED  in 

present  poverty. 

1877.  PASCOE,  Everyday  Life,  &>c. 
Anything  approaching  swagger  is  severely 
rebuked  ;  there  is  no  more  objectionable 
quality  than  that  understood  by  the  ex- 
pression, "  He's  GOT  such  A  horrid  ROLL 
ON." 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads. 
It  sets  a  chap  fair  ON  THE  ROLL. 

ROLLER,  subs.  (Oxford  University). 
—i.  A  roll-call. 

2.  (Stock  Exchange).—  In  pi. 
=  United  States  Rolling  Stock. 

3.  (old).  —In  pi.  ,  the  horse  and 
foot    patrols.  —  GROSE    (1785)  5 
VAUX  (1812). 

4.  (old).—  A  go-cart. 

1660.  SMITH,  Lives  of  Highwaymen, 
H.  50.  He  could  run  about  without  a 
BOWLER  or  leading-strings. 


pay 
his 


5.  (common).  —  A  big  wave 
coming  in  from  a  distance,  and  so 
with  an  enormous  energy  :  also 

RUNNER. 

1855.  KINGSLEY,  Westw.  Ho,  xxxii. 
ROLLERS  of  the  vast  Atlantic  .  .  .  with  a 
thousand  crests  of  flying  foam. 

R  o  L  L  E  Y  ,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
vehicle. 

ROLLICKERS,  subs,  (military). — The 
2nd  Bat.  The  Princess  Victoria's 
Royal  Irish  Fusiliers  (formerly 
the  Eighty-Ninth  Foot).  Also 
(1798)  *  Blayney's  Blood-hounds.' 

ROLLING-PIN.    See  PIN. 

ROLL-ME-IN-THE-DIRT,  Subs.  pkr. 

(rhyming). — A  shirt. 
ROLL-UP.    See  ROLY-POLY. 
ROM.    See  ROMANY. 

ROMANCE,  subs,  (colloquial).— A 
lie  ;  a  tarradiddle.  Hence,  as 
verb  —  'to  lie  pleasantly,  to 
Stretch  in  Discourse.' — B.  E. 
(^.1696). 

1651.  EVELYN,  Diary,  6  Sep.  The 
knight  was  ...  not  a  little  given  to 
ROMANCE  when  he  spake  of  himselfe. 

^.1721.  PRIOR,  An  Eng.  Padlock.  A 
Staple  of  ROMANCE  and  Lies,  False  Tears 
and  real  Perjuries. 

</.i742.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  I.  53.  I 
hear  others  ROMANCING  about  Things  tfiey 
never  heard  nor  saw  .  .  .  with  that  Assur- 
ance that  .  .  .  they  persuade  themselves 
they  are  speaking  Truth  all  the  While. 

ROM  AN -FALL,  subs,  (obsolete). —A 
posture  (^.1868)  in  walking :  the 
head  well  forward  and  the  small 
of  the  back  well  in :  ^GRECIAN 
BEND. 

1870.  Orchestra,  25  Mar.,  'Grand 
Comic  Concert.'  The  ladies  have  their 
Grecian  bend,  our  typical  gentlemen  ex- 
Sains  a  correspondent  masculine  affecta- 
uon  which  he  dubs  The  ROMAN  FALL. 


Romany. 


Romp. 


1890.  Answers,  8  Feb.,  172,  2. 
Livingstone  noticed  that  among  the  young 
bloods  and  sable  patricians  of  Loanda  a 
sort  of  ROMAN  FALL  seems  to  be  practised, 
which  consists  of  hobbling  along  as  though 
encumbered  by  a  load  of  ornaments. 

ROMANY  (ROM  MANY  or  ROM),  subs. 
(common). — I.  A  gypsy  ;  and  (2) 
the  language  spoken  by  gypsies. 
Whence  TO  PATTER  ROMANY  = 
'  to  talk  the  gypsy  flash '  (GROSE); 
ROMANY  RYE  —  a  gentleman  who 
talks  and  associates  with  gypsies 
(GROSE;  VAUX).  [A  few 
Romany  words  have  passed  into 
English,  but  the  only  European 
tongues  on  which  the  Gipsy  has 
had  much  influence  are  those 
of  the  Peninsula.  In  Spanish 
and  Portuguese  almost  all  the 
slang  is  Gipsy  and  almost  all 
the  Gipsy  is  slang.  Our  chief 
authorities,  apart  from  personal 
knowledge,  are  J.  Fitzmaurice 
Kelly,  Esq.,  James  Platt,  Jr., 
Esq.,  and  El  Gitano  by  Fran- 
cisco Sales  Mayo  (Madrid,  1870)]. 

1749.  GOADBY,  Moore-Carew,  '  Oath 
of  Cant.  Crew.'  No  dummerar,  or 

ROMANY. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rook<wood(T.%f>£), 
175.  I'm  dumb  founded  if  he  can't  patter 
ROMANY  as  vel  as  the  best  on  us  ! 

1851.  BORROW,  Lavengro,  xvii.  '  We 
were  talking  of  languages,  Jasper  .  .  . 
Yours  must  be  a  rum  one?"  "Tis  called 
ROMMANY.'  .  .  .  'And  you  are  what  is 


called  a  Gypsy  King?'  'Ay,  ay;  a 
ROMMANY  kral.'  Ibid.  Rum  and  dree, 
Rum  and  dry,  Rally  round  the  ROMANY 
RYE. 

1871.  MEREDITH,  Harry  Richmond, 
xlv.  I  recognized  a  strange  tongue  in  the 
cry,  but  too  late  that  it  was  ROMANY  to 
answer  it. 

1883.  G.  R.  SIMS,  THE  ROMANY 
R  YE  [Title]. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Signer  Lippo,  xx. 
My  old  man  was  a  ROMANY  ...  but  he 
was  an  awful  boozer. 

See  RUM. 
ROMBELOW.    See  RUMBELOW. 


ROMBOYLE  (or  ROMBOYLES),  verb. 
(Old  Cant).  —  To  make  hue  and 
cry  :  TO  WHIDDLE  BEEF  (q.v.}. 
Fr.  battre  morasse  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 
Whence  ROMBOYL'D  =  WANTED 
If.*), 

ROME.     See  Ru  M  ,  passim. 

ROMER  (or  ROMEKIN),  subs.  (Old 
Cant).—  A  drinking  glass  (or  can). 

—  B.  E.  (c.  1696). 

ROME-VILLE,  subs.  phr.  (Old  Cant). 

—  London.     [See  RUM]. 

ROM  FORD.    See  RUMFORD. 

ROMP,  subs,  (old  :  now  recognised). 

—  A  boisterous  girl  ;  a  TOMBOY  : 
see  RAMP  and  quot.  1698  (B.  E., 
GROSE).     Also  as  verb.  =  (i)  to 
LARK   (q.v.);   to    play   the   RIG 
(q.v.);    to   wanton;    and  (2)  TO 
ROMP  IN  =  to  win  easily  (racing). 

1647.  FLETCHER,  Mad  Lover,  i.  i. 
How  our  St.  Georges  will  bestride  the 
dragons,  The  red  and  RAMPING  dragons. 

1698.  COLLIER,  Eng.  Stage  [C-Li- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  128.  The  a  changes 
to  o,  for  the  noun  ROMP  is  formed  from  the 
verb  RAMP]. 

1711.     STEELE,  Spectator,  187.    The 
air  she  gave  herself  was  that  of  a  ROMPING 
irl.     Ibid.,  Tatler,  No.   15.     My  cousin 
etty,  the  greatest  ROMP  in  nature. 

1730.  THOMSON,  Autumn,  528. 
RoMP-loving  miss  Is  haul'd  about,  in 
gallantry  robust. 

1761.  CHURCHILL,  Rosciad.  First, 
giggling,  plotting  chamber-maids  arrive, 
Hoydens  and  ROMPS,  led  on  by  Gen'ral 
Clive. 

1882.  "  THORMANBY,"  Famous  Rac- 
ing Men,  16.  The  north-country  horse 
.  .  .  could  not  touch  Eclipse,  who  simply 
ROMPED  IN,  the  easiest  of  winners. 

1891.  Sporting  Life,  20  Mar.  I 
recall  his  recent  half-mile  at  Oxford,  when 
he  ROMPED  home  in  the  easiest  possible 
manner. 

1894.  MOORE,  Esther  Waters,  xxx. 
Favourites  ROMPING  in  one  after  the  other. 


gi 
B 


Roncher. 


Rook. 


RONCHER    (or    ROUNCHER),     stlbs. 

(American).  —  Anything   of   ex- 
ceptional size  or  quality. 

ROOK,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  cheat: 
spec,  gaming  :  also  ROOKER  :  cf. 
sense  2  and  PIGEON.  Hence 
ROOKERY  (or  ROKING)  =  swind- 
ling; ROOKY  (or  ROOKISH)  = 
rascally,  scampish  ;  as  verb.  =  to 
cheat,  to  swindle  (B.  E.,  DYCHE, 
GROSE,  VAUX,  BEE).  Hence 
ROOKERY  =  (i)  a  gambling  hell  ; 
and  (2)  any  place  of  ill  repute  : 
e.g. ,  (a)  a  brothel,  (6)  subalterns' 
barrack  quarters,  and  (c)  a  neigh- 
bourhood occupied  by  a  criminal 
or  squalid  population,  a  SLUM 
(q.v.\ 

1590.  Sir  Thomas  More  [Shakspeare 
Soc.]  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng-.,  ii.  8.  There 
are  the  new  verbs  ROOKE  (plunder)  and 
sharke  (prey)  .  .  .  ]. 

1603.  DEKKER,  Wonderful  Year 
[GROSART,  Works,  i.  89].  ROOKES,  catch- 
polls of  poesy,  That  feed  upon  the  fallings 
of  hye  wit 

1609.  JONSON,  Epiccene,  i.  i.  Such 
a  ROOK  .  .  .  that  will  betray  his  mistress 
to  be  seen. 

1641.  MILTON,  Ref.  in  England,  i. 
A  band  of  ROOKING  officials.  Ibid.,  ii. 
The  Butcherly  execution  of  Tormentors, 
ROOKS  and  Rakeshames  sold  to  lucre. 

1672.  WVCHERLEY,  Love  in  a  Wood, 
iii.  4.  I  dare  no  more  venture  myself  with 
her  alone,  than  a  cully  that  has  been  bit 
dares  venture  himself  in  a  tavern  with  an 
old  ROOK. 

</.i697.    AUBREY,  Lives,   '  Sir  J.  Den- 
ham.'  He  was  much  ROOKED  by  gamesters. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  i.  ix.  22. 
For  like  a  ROOK  at  Gam  ing-Table  ...  he 
.  .  .  cheats  all  sides  with  equal  zeal. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random, 
xlviii.  He  would  not  lend  him  money  to 
squander  away  upon  ROOKS.  Ibid.  (1751), 
Peregrine  Pickle,  Ixxxyiii.  Having  lost  a 
few  loose  hundreds  in  his  progress  through 
the  various  ROOKERIES  of  the  place. 

1760.  LUCAS,  Gamesters,  125.  ROOKS 
are  grown  of  late  so  intolerably  Rude  and 
Insolent. 


1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  iii. 
Guv  nur,  how  long  are  ve  to  be  kept  in 
this  here  ROOKERY,  before  you  give  us  a 
sight  of  this  phenomony  ? 

%  1836.  DICKENS,  Sketches  fyBoz,-io$. 
That  classical  spot  adjoining  the  brewery 
at  the  bottom  of  Tottenham-court-road, 
best  known  to  the  initiated  as  the 
ROOKERY. 

1840.  THACKERAY,  Captain  ROOK 
and  Mr.  Pigeon  [Title]. 

1869.  Gent.  Mag.,  July,  231.  No 
opportunity  of  pigeon-plucking  is  lost  by 
the  majority  of  [billiard]  markers  .  .  .  still 
he  is  not  the  worst  form  of  ROOK. 

1883.  Sat.  Review,  31  March,  398,  i. 
The  registered  lodging-houses  are  more 
decent  than  the  old  ROOKERIES,  but  the 
people  who  live  in  the  new  buildings  differ 
little,  if  at  all,  from  those  who  lived  in  the 
old. 

1884.  SPENCER,  Man  v.  State,  54. 
The  misery,  th«  disease,  the  mortality  of 

ROOKERIES. 

2.  (old).  —  A  simpleton  ;  a 
PIGEON  (q.  v.  ).  [One  fit  for  ROOK- 
ING :  see  sense  i]. 

1596.  JONSON,  Every  Man  in  His 
Humour,  i.  i.  Hang  him,  ROOK  !  he  ! 
why  he  has  no  more  judgment  than  a  malt 
horse.  Ibid.  (1599),  Every  Man  Out  o/ 
His  Humour,  i.  i.  A  tame  ROOKE,  you'l 


take  him  presently.  Ibid.  (1602),  Poetaster, 
i.  i.  What  ?  shall  1  have  my  son  a  Stager 
now?  an  Enghle  for  Players?  a  Gull?  a 
ROOKE?  a  Shot-clog?  to  make  suppers, 


and  bee  laught  at? 

1607.  DEKKER,  Westward  Ho,  v.  i. 
Let's  be  wise,  and  make  ROOKS  of  them 
that,  I  warrant,  are  now  setting  purse-nets 
to  conycatch  us. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May-Day,  iii.  An 
arrant  ROOK,  by  this  light,  a  capable 
cheating  stock  ;  a  man  may  carry  him  up 
and  down  by  the  ears  like  a  pipkin. 

3.  (common).  —  A  clergyman  : 
see  SKYPILOT  :  Fr.  corbeau. 

4.  (tailors').  —  A  sloven. 

5.  (thieves').  —  A  housebreaker's 

JEMMY  (q.V.}\  a  CROW   (q.V.).— 

GROSE. 

D 


Rookery. 


Rooster. 


Verb.     I.  See  subs.  2. 

2.  (gaming). — To  win  heavily. 

1887.  Snorting  Times,  12  March,  2, 
i.  We  play  nap,  and  ROOK  George 
Fredericks  all  the  way. 

ROOKERY,  subs.  (o\d).~See  ROOK,  i. 

2.  (colloquial).  —  A  scolding- 
match. 

ROOKY  (or  ROOKEY),  subs,  (mili- 
tary).— A  recruit :  see  SNOOKER, 
and  ROOK,  subs.  i. 

1893.  KIPLING,  Many  Inventions, 
"  His  Private  Honour."  "  'Tis  a  hundred 
and  thirty-seven  ROOKIES  to  the  bad,  son." 
.  .  .  You  can't  ride,  you  can't  walk,  you 
can't  shoot, — you, — you  awful  ROOKIES. 

ROOM.       TO    LEAVE    THE     ROOM, 

verb.  phr.  (conventional  school). 
—To  go  to  the  W.C. 

Verb,  (colloquial). — To  inhabit. 
Hence  ROOMER  =  a  lodger :  spec, 
one  occupying  a  single  apartment. 

1864.  Daily  Telegraph,  26  July.  It's 
risky,  I  know,  but  I'll  try  him.  I  never 
did  ROOM  with  a  Rooshian  before,  and  I'd 
like  to  know  them  stript. 

1860.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  418.  I  am 
.  .  .  living  at  the  minister's !  and  then  I 
ROOM  with  Esther. 

i8[?]  The  Standard  (Century).  The 
mother  .  .  .  occupies  herself  more  with 
the  needs  of  the  ROOMERS,  or  tenants,  and 
makes  more  money. 

See  APARTMENTS. 
ROOM  BELOW.    See  RUMBELOW. 

ROORBACK,  subs.  (American). — i. 
A  journalistic,  or  printed  lie. 

1876.  Providence  Journal,  9  May. 
Another  infamous  Democratic  ROORBACK  I 

1876.  New  York  Tribune,  14  Ap. 
The  manufacture  of  ROORBACKS  against 
Mr.  Elaine,  though  active,  is  not  very 
successful  in  producing  a  merchantable 
article. 


ROOSHER,  subs,  (thieves'). — Aeon- 
stable  :  see  NARK. 

ROOST,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  Bed  : 
also  ROOSTING-PLACE  :  also  as 
verb.  =  (i)  to  sleep,  and  (2)  to 
lodge. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  29.  I ...  slunk  to  my  ROOSTING- 
PLACE  where  I  fell  asleep  like  a  man. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n. 
ii.  Mammy  Brimstone  .  .  .  has  also 
"toddled"  in  to  have  a  "flash  of  light- 
ning "  before  she  goes  to  ROOST. 

1843.  MONCRIEFF,  Scamps  of  Lon- 
don, i.  2.  You  can  go  to  ROOST  whenever 
you  like. 

1847.  LYTTON,  Lucretia,  n.  vii.  And 
always  give  a  look  into  my  room  every 
night  before  you  go  to  ROOST. 

1857.  O.  W.  HOLMES,  Autocrat,  vi. 
The  world  has  a  million  ROOSTS  for  a  man, 
but  only  one  nest. 

1809.      WHITEING,/0£*.SY.,  IX.     YOU 

must  do  like  them,  ROOST  in  the  open  air. 
Verb,  (colloquial).— I.  See  subs. 

2.  (military). — To  imprison. 

3.  (common). — To  cheat :   TO 

ROOST     OVER     ONE  =  to    get     a 
RISE  (q.V.). 

ROOSTER,  subs.  (American). — A 
euphemism  for  *  cock ' — (a  word 
impossible  on  the  lips  of  any 
delicate  American  female) — the 
male  of  the  barndoor  hen. 

1838.  NEAL,  Charcoal  Sketches 
[BARTLETT].  As  if  the  Sourish  of  a  quill 
were  the  crowing  of  a  ROOSTER. 

1855.  IRVINO,  Woolferfs  Roost,  17. 
The  Skinners  and  Cowboys  of  the  Revo- 
lution, when  they  wrung  the  neck  of  a 
ROOSTER,  did  not  trouble  .  .  .  whether 
they  crowed  for  Congress  or  King  George. 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  n.  i.  A 
huge  turkey  gobbling  in  the  road,  a 
ROOSTER  crowing  on  the  fence. 

1870.  WHITE,  Words  and  Their 
Uses  [WALSH].  All  birds  are  ROOSTERS 
.  .  .  hens  ...  as  well  as  the  cocks.  What 
.  .  .  delicacy  then  ...  in  calling  the  cock 
a  ROOSTER. 


Roost-lay. 


Rope. 


1880.  Scribner's  Mag.,  770.  The 
crow  of  an  early-rising  ROOSTER. 

2.  (old  :    now  American). — A 
street  brawler ;  a  rough. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  v. 
ROOSTERS  and  the  '  peep-o'-day  boys ' 
were  out  on  a  prowl  for  a  spree. 

1885.  N,  Am.  Rev.,  cxli.  434.  The 
toughest  set  of  ROOSTERS  that  ever  shook 
the  dust  of  any  town. 

3.  (venery). — The  female  pu- 
dendum :  see  MONOSYLLABLE. 

See  QUEER. 

ROOST- LAY,  subs.  phr.  (old).— 
Poultry  stealing  :  see  LAY. — 
GROSE. 

ROOT  (THE),  subs,  (common).— i. 
Money.  [«  The  root  of  all  Evil.'] 

1899.  D.  Telegraph,  7  Ap.,  8,  3. 
All  the  week  they  do  their  little  bit  o' 
graft  ...  an'  take  home  THE  ROOT  on 
Sat 'days  to  the  missus  or  the  mam. 

2.  (venery). — The  penis:  see 
PRICK.  Also  MAN-ROOT. 

Verb,  (common).  —  To  kick. 
Whence  (The  Leys  School)  ROOT- 
ABOUT  =  promiscuous  football 
practice  :  also  as  verb. 

ROOTER,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  A 
superlative  :  as  a  brutal  attack  ; 
a  very  smart  dress ;  a  priceless 
gem  ;  a  flagrant  untruth,  and  so 
forth  :.  see  WHOPPER. 

ROOTLE,  -verb,  (venery).— To  copu- 
late :  see  RIDE.  Also  TO  DO  A 
ROOTLE. 

ROOTY,  subs,  (military). — See  quot. 

1883.  G.  A.  S[ALA],  in  Illttstr.  L. 
News,  7  July,  3,  3.  [A  correspondent  in 
S.  Travancore  says  that  in  Tamil  and 
Teluga  "RStie"  means  a  loaf  of  bread.] 
Long  since  Private  Tommy  Atkins^  re- 
turning from  Indian  service,  has  acclima- 


tised "  R8tie  "  (pronounced  "  ROOTY  ")  in 
the  vocabulary  of  the  British  barrack.  Al 
least  eight  years  ago  I  heard  of  a  private 
soldier  complaining  in  his  barrack-room 
that  he  had  not  had  his  "proper  section  of 
ROOTY,"  i.e.,  his  proper  ration  of  bread. 

ROPE,  subs,  (football).— i.  In//.  = 
a  half-back. 

2.  (old).— A  trick  or  knack; 
spec,  (nautical)  TO  KNOW  THE 

ROPES    (or    TO    BE    UP     TO    THE 

ROPES)  =  (i)  to  be  expert,  and 
(2)  to  be  artful,  FLY  (y.v.); 
TO  PULL  (or  WORK)  THE 
ROPES  =  to  control  or  direct  ; 

TO   ROPE   IN    (or  ROPE)  =  (i)  to 

lose  a  race  by  PULLING  (q.v.)  or 
other  foul  means  ;  (2)  to  decoy  (in 
a  mock-auction,  gambling-den, 
&c.) :  hence  ROPER-IN  =  a  decoy; 
and  (3)  to  pull  (or  gather)  in  :  as 
TO  ROPE  IN  THE  PIECES  =  to 

make  money.  Hence  PLENTY 
OF  ROPE  =  lots  of  choice ;  AT 
THE  END  OF  ONE'S  ROPE  =  ex- 
hausted, done  for. 

1623.  MABBE,  English  Rogue  [On- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  83.  Among  the 
verbs  we  see  .  .  .  GIVE  HIM  LINE. 

1670.  RAY,  Proverbs  [BELL],  176.  I 
thought  I  had  given  her  ROPE  enough, 
said  Pedley,  when  he  hanged  his  mare. 
Ibid. ,  59.  Let  him  alone  with  the  saints' 
bell  and  give  him  ROPE  enough. 

184^0.  DANA,  Two  Years  before  the 
Mast,  ix.  The  captain,  who  had  been  on 
the  coast  before,  and  KNEW  THE  ROPES, 
took  the  steering  oar. 

1854.  Cruise  in  Undine,  15.  I  don't 
mind  young  fellows  having  PLENTY  OP 
ROPE. 

^.1859.    New    York    Tribune   [BART- 

LETT].     Mr.    A complained   that  a 

ROPER-IN  of  a  gambling-house  had  enticed 
him  away,  by  whose  means  he  bad  lost  all 
his  money. 

1863.  Eraser's  Magazine,  Dec. ,  '  The 
English  Turf.'  An  order  to  pull  a  horse 
back,  i.e.,  to  '  ROPE  '  him,  or,  as  in  a  late 
suspicious  case  it  was  expressed,  to  '  put 
the  strings  on,'  is  seldom  resorted  to. 


Rope. 


Rope. 


1877.  BESANT  and  RICE,  Golden 
Butterfly,  xliii.  YouVe  sought  me  out, 
and  gone  about  this  city  with  me  ;  you've 
put  me  UP  TO  ROPES. 

1882.  McCABE,  New  York,  xxxix. 
The  visitors  to  these  establishments  are 
chiefly  strangers  in  the  city,  who  are  lured, 
or  ROPED,  into  them  by  agents  of  the  pro- 
prietors. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xliv.    He  KNEW  THE  ROPES  better 
than  he  did. 

1889.  Snacks,  July,  No.  i.     He  were 
sixty-nine  year  old — 'n'  got  ROPED  IN  by  a 
young  widow,  'n'  chouseled  out  of  twenty- 
six  thousan'  dollars. 

1892.  ANSTEY,  Voces  Populi,  '  Free 
Speech,'  103.  Fellow-Citizens,  I  appeal 
to  you,  GIVE  THIS  MAN  ROPE — he's  doing 
our  work  splendidly  ! 

1897.  MITFORD,  Romance  of  Cage 
Frontier,  i.  xxi.  I  dare  say  'e's  bin 

PUTTING  YOU  UP  TO  THE  ROPES. 

1900.  BOOTHBY,  Maker  of  Nations, 
i.  You  do  require  to  KNOW  THE  ROPES. 
And  what  is  more,  you  require  to  be  very 
careful  how  you  PULL  THOSE  ROPES  when 
you  are  familiar  with  them. 

Verb.  (old). — I.  To  hang  :  see 
LADDER.  Whence  ROPE-TRICKS 
(ROPING  or  ROPERY)  =  roguery ; 
ROPE-RIPE  =  fit  for  hanging ; 
TO  CRY  ROPE  =  to  warn,  to  bid 
beware ;  '  give  ROPE  [or  LINE] 
enough  and  he'll  hang '  =  '  He'll 
decoy  himself  to  his  undoing' 
(B.  E.);  MR.  ROPER  (or  THE 
ROPER)  =  the  hangman  ;  THE 
ROPE-WALK  =  the  Old  Bailey  ; 

TO  GO  INTO  THE  ROPE-WALK  = 

to  take  up  criminal  practice. 

IS53-  WILSON,  Arte  of  Rketorique 
[NARES].  ROPE-RIPE  chiding  [of  very 
foul  and  abusive  language]. 

1584.  Three  Ladies  of  London 
[NARES].  Thou  art  very  pleasant,  and 
full  of  thy  ROPERY. 

1592.  SHAKSPEARE,  /  Henry  VI.,  i. 
3,  53.  Winchester  Goose,  I  CRY  A  ROPE  I 
a  rope  1  Ibid.,  1593,  Taming  of  the 
Shrew,  i,  2.  She  may  perhaps  call  him 
half  a  score  knaves  or  so :  an*  he  be; 
once,  he'll  rail  in  his  ROPE-TRICKS.  Id 


(1595),  Rom.  and  Juliet,  ii.  4,  154.  What 
saucy  merchant  was  this  that  was  so  full 
of  his  ROPERY. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May  Day,  iii.  i. 
Lord,  how  you  roll  in  your  ROPE-RIPE 
terms ! 

1620.  FLETCHER,  Chances,  iii.  i. 
You'll  leave  this  ROPERY,  When  you  come 
to  my  years. 

1660.  HOWELL,  Lex.  Tet.  A  ROPE- 
RIPE-ROGUE  ripe  for  the  rope,  or  deserving 
hanging. 

1663.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  i.  i. 
Could  tell  what  subtlest  parrots  mean 
That  speak,  and  think,  contrary  clean ; 
What  member  'tis  of  whom  they  talk 
When  they  CRY  ROPE  .  .  . 

^.1705.  DORSET  [CHALMERS,  Eng. 
Poets,  viii.  345].  The  queen,  overhearing 
what  Betty  did  say,  Would  send  MR. 
ROPER  to  take  her  away. 

1848.  RUXTON,  Far  West,  14. 
Maybe  you'll  get  ROPED. 

1871.  Temple  Bar,  xxxi.  321.  In 
the  law,  for  instance,  a  barrister  is  said  to 
have  GONE  INTO  THE  ROPE-WALK,  when  he 
has  taken  up  practice  in  the  Old  Bailey. 

1882.  SERJ.  BALLANTINE,  Experi- 
ences, viii.  What  was  called  the  ROPE- 
WALK  [at  the  Old  Bailey]  was  represented 
by  a  set  of  agents  clean  neither  in  character 
nor  person. 

2.  (old). — To  beat  with  a  rope : 
hence  ROPE'S-END  =  a  thrashing. 

£.1460.  Book  of  Precedence [E.E.T.S.] 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng,,  i.  297.  There  are 
ROPPYS  END,  coke  fyghtynge,  callot  .  .  .]. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Com.  of  Errors, 
iv.  4,  46.  Mistress  .  .  .  respect  your  end  ; 
or  rather  .  .  .  beware  the  ROPE'S-END. 

PHRASES. — A  ROPE  OF  SAND 
(RAY)  =  (i)  a  feeble  hold,  and 
(2)  an  endless  or  unprofitable 

task  ;       ON     THE     HIGH     ROPES 

=  elated,  arrogant :  see  HIGH 
HORSE  (B.  E.,  GROSE);  'What 
a  ROPE  ! '  =  «  What  the  devil' ; 

TO    PUT    A    ROPE    TO    THE    EYE 

OF  A  NEEDLE  =  to  attempt 
the  impossible  or  absurd  ;  also 
the  proverbial  saying,  'A  ROPE 
and  butter  :  if  one  slip,  the  other 
may  hold,' 


Roper  (Mrs.) 


53 


Rose. 


ROPER  (MRS.),  subs,  (naval).— 
See  quot.  To  MARRY  MRS. 
ROPER  =  to  list  in  the  Marines. 

1868.  BREWER,  Phrase  and  Fable ; 
s.v.  "MISTRESS  ROPER."  The  Marines, 
or  any  one  of  them  :  so  called  by  the 
regular  sailors,  because  they  handle  the 
ropes  like  girls,  not  being  used  to  them. 

ROPPER,  subs,  (tramps').— A  scarf; 
a  comforter.  [?  « Wrapper.'] 

1873.  GREENWOOD,  In  Strange  Com- 
pany. A  great  deal  of  the  lower  part  of 
the  face  hidden  in  the  thick  folds  of  a 

ROPPER. 

RORAM  (or  ? ROLAND),  subs.  (old). 
— The  sun  :  cf.  OLIVER  =  moon. 
— TUFTS. 

RORITORIOUS,  adj.  and  adv.  (old). 

—  Uproarious  :     cf.    '  rory-tory ' 
(Devon)  =  showy,  dashing. 

1821.  EGAN,  Real  Life,  I.  619.  The 
Randallites  were  RORITORIOUS  and  flushed 
with  good  fortune. 

RoRTY(or  RAUGHTY),O^'.  (costers'). 

—  Of   the    very    best.       Hence 
RORTY-TOFF   =  an    out-and-out 
swell ;    RORTY-DASHER  =  a  fine 

fellow  J   TO  DO  THE  RORTY  =  to 

have  a  good  time. 

£.1864.  VANCE,  Chickaleary  Cove,  i. 
I  have  a  RORTY  gal.  Ibid.,  2.  The  vestat 
with  the  bins  so  RORTY. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Culture  in  Slums, 
'Rondeau,'  3.  For  in  such  RORTY  wise 
doth  Love  express  His  blooming  views. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  31. 
We'd  a  rare  RORTY  time  of  it.  Ibid.,  69. 
A  doin'  the  RORTY. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  49.  She 
is  Boadicea  ...  no  '  British  warrior 
queen  '  of  nursery  recitation,  but  a  right- 
down  RAUGHTY  gal  leading  her  alley  to 
battle  against  the  Roman  slops.' 

RORY-O'-MORE,  subs.  phr.  (rhym- 
ing).— (i )  The  floor ;  (2)  a  whore ; 
and  (3)  a  door.  Also  RORY. 

1892.  MARSHALL,  Rhyme  of  the 
Rusher  \Sporting  Times,  29  Oct.].  I 
fired  him  out  out  of  the  RORY  quick. 


RORYS  (THE),  subs,  (military).— 
The  Princess  Louise's  (Argyll  and 
Sutherland  Highlanders). 

ROSARY,  subs,  (old).— A  base  coin 
(temp.  Ed.  I.),  resembling  the 
current  silver  penny.  [It  bore 
(verso)  a  rose  or  rosette.] 

ROSE,  subs,  (showmen's).— i.  A 
bitch. 

2.  (Stock  Exchange).— In  //. 
=  Buenos    Ayres    and    Rosario 
Railway  Ordinary  Stock. 

3.  (venery). — The  female  pu- 
dendum :   see  MONOSYLLABLE  ; 
and    (4)    a    maidenhead.      To 
PLUCK  A  ROSE  =  (i)  to  take  a 
maidenhead,  and  (2)  a  woman's 
euphemism    for     micturition    or 
defecation  in  the  open  air :    cf. 
TO    PICK    A    DAISY    (GROSE, 
HALLIWELL). 

1730.  SWIFT,  Pan.  on  Dean  [CHAL- 
MERS, Eng.  Poets,  xi.  489].  The  bashful 
maid,  to  hide  our  blush  .  .  .  unobserved 
she  boldly  goes  ...  to  PLUCK  A  ROSE. 

UNDER  THE  ROSE,/Ar.  (collo- 
quial).— Secretly  ;  in  confidence 
(DYCHE,  GROSE). 

1546.  DYMOCKE,  Letter  to  Vaughan 
[WALSH].  And  the  sayde  questyon  were 
asked  with  lysence,  and  that  yt  should 
remayn  UNDER  THE  ROSSE,  that  is  to  say, 
to  remain  under  the  bourde  and  ne  more 
to  be  rehersyd. 

1616-25.  Court  and^  Times  James  I. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  71.  As  to  the 
prepositions  we  see  UNDER  THE  ROSE]. 

1623.  JONSON,  Staple  of  News,  ii. 
You  are  my  lord,  The  rest  are  cogging 
Jacks,  UNDER  THE  ROSE. 

1632.  CHAPMAN,  Ball,  ii.  2.  UNDER 
THE  ROSE  the  lords  do  call  me  cousin. 

c.  1707.  Old  Song,  '  Praise  of  the  Dairy 
Maid'  [DuRFEY,  Pills,  &»c.  (1707),  i.  «. 
Such  bliss  ne'er  oppose  If  e'er  you'll  be 

happy  I  SPEAK  UNDER  THE  ROSE]. 

1753.  Adventurer,  No.  98.  UNDER 
THE  ROSE,  I  am  a  cursed  favourite  amongst 
them. 


Roseberys. 


54 


Rosy. 


1821.  LAMB,  Elia  (Mrs.  Battle). 
All  people  have  their  blind  side — their 
superstitions  ;  and  I  have  heard  her  de- 
clare, UNDER  THE  ROSE,  that  Hearts  was 
her  favourite  suit. 

i8[?]  SNELLING,  Coins,  2.  The  rose 
.  .  .  symbol  of  secrecy  .  .  .  [was]  used 
with  great  propriety  on  privy  seals,  which 
came  into  use  about  the  middle  of  the 
twelfth  century. 

1868.  OUIDA,  Under  Two  Flags,  iv. 
All  great  ladies  gamble  in  stock  nowadays 

UNDER  THE  ROSE. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet- 
heart, 37.  I  no  longer  wondered  that  he 
should  have  quitted  England  UNDER  THE 


A  ROSE  BETWEEN  TWO  THORNS 

(or  NETTLES),  phr.  A  woman 
sitting  between  two  men  :  the 
usual  retort  is,  mutatis  mutandis, 
as  in  quot. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
i.  [Miss,  sitting-  between  Neverout  and 
the  Colonel.  ]— Miss.  Well ;  here's  A  ROSE 
BETWEEN  Two  NETTLES.  Neverout.  No, 
Madam  ;  with  submission,  here's  A 
NETTLE  BETWEEN  Two  ROSES. 

TO  STRIKE  WITH  A  FEATHER 
AND  STAB  WITH  A  ROSE,  &C.,  &C., 
phr.  (colloquial).  — To  chastise 
playfully.  A  Music  Hall  refrain 
(f.i888),  but  see  quot. 

1612.  WEBSTER,  White  Devil,  iv. 
iv.  Mar.  If  I  take  her  near  you,  I'll 

CUT  HER  THROAT.      Flam.      WlTH   A   FAN 
OF  FEATHERS. 

Ros  EB  ERYS,  suh.(Stock  Exchange). 
— London  County  Council  2^  per 
cent.  Stock.  [Lord  Rosebery 
was  the  first  Chairman  of  the 
Council.] 

ROSEBUD,  suds,  (common).  —  A 
debutante. 

1847.  TENNYSON,  Princess,  Prol.  A 
ROSEBUD  set  with  little  wilful  thorns,  And 
sweet  as  English  air  could  make  her,  she. 

1885.  Century,  xl.  582.  They  flutter 
their  brief  hour  in  society.  .  .  .  Some  of 
them  hold  on  like  grim  death  to  ROSEBUD 
privileges. 


ROSH  (or  ROUSH),  verb.  (Royal 
Military  Academy). — To  hustle  ; 
to  horse-play.  Hence  STOP  ROSH- 
ING  !  =  an  injunction  to  silence. 

ROSIN  (RoziN  or  ROZIN-THE- 
BOW),  subs.  (old). — i.  A  fiddler  ; 
and  (2)  fiddler's  lap.  Whence  as 
verb.  =  (i)  to  fiddle  ;  and  (2)  to 
drink :  ROSINNED  (HALLIWELL) 
=  drunk. 

1607.  DEKKER,  Westward  Hoe,  v. 
i.  They  are  but  ROSINING,  sir,  and  they'll 
scrape  themselves  into  your  company 
presently. 

1870.  Figaro,  31  Oct.  They  play- 
fully call  me  "  ROSIN,"  and  ...  yet  I 
must,  perforce,  go  on  with  my  playing. 

1892.  WATSON,  Wops  the  Waif,  iii. 
A  short  lame  man,  with  a  violin  under  his 
arm,  suggesting  the  identity  with  the 
ROZIN  announced. 

ROSSER.     See  ROZZER. 

ROST.  TO  TURN  BOAST  TO  ROST, 
verb.  phr.  (old). — To  turn  from 
swagger  to  humility  (HALLI- 
WELL). 

ROSY,  subs,  (common). — I.  Drink; 
and  (2) blood:  i.e.,  CLARET (q.v.}. 
Hence  ROSY-DROP  =  a  grog  blos- 
som. Also  THE  RUBY. 

1840.  DICKENS,  Old  Curiosity  Shop, 
vii.  "Fred,"  said  Mr.  Swiveller,  "re- 
member the  once  popular  melody  of 
Begone,  Dull  Care,  .  .  .  and  pass  the 
ROSY  WINE."  .  .  .  "  The  ROSY  WINE  was, 
in  fact,  represented  by  one  glass  of  cold  gin 
and  water."  .  .  .  Richard  Swiveller 
finished  THE  ROSY,  and  applied  himself  to 
the  composition  of  another  glassful. "  Ibid., 
Ivi.  ' '  I  shall  wear  this  emblem  of  woman's 
perfidy,  in  remembrance  of  her  with  whom 
I  shall  never  again  thread  the  windings  of 
the  mazy  ;  whom  I  shall  never  more  pledge 
in  THE  ROSY  ;  who  during  the  short  re- 
mainder of  my  existence  will  murder  the 
balmy." 

1854.  MARTIN  and  AYTOUN,  Bon. 
Gualtier,  "  Lay  of  the  Love-Lorn."  Com- 
rades, you  may  pass  THE  ROSY. 

1891.  Sporting  Life,  25  Mar.  God- 
dard  was  smothered  in  THE  ROSY  as  he 
went  to  his  chair. 


Rot. 


55 


Rot-gut. 


ROSY  ABOUT  THE  GILLS,  phr. 
(old).  —  (I)  '  fresh  -  coloured  ' 
(B.  E.,  GROSE),  (2)  =  sanguine  : 

cf.    WHITE     ABOUT    THE    GILLS. 

Also  ROSY  =  favourable,  aus- 
picious, healthy :  whence  THE 
ROSY  =  good  fortune. 

1885.  Field t  3  Oct.  The  future  looks 
most  ROSY. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  69. 
A  doin    the  rorty  and  ROSY  as  lively  as 
'Opkins's  lot.    Ibid.,jj.    Not  my  idea  of 

THE  ROSY. 

ROT,  subs,  (common). — Nonsense  ; 

BOSH  (q.V.)  :  also  TOMMY-ROT 
(q.v.).  As  verb.  —  to  humbug  ; 
to  bully  ;  ROTTER  =  a  good-for- 
nothing. 

1861.  H.  C.  PENNELL,  Puck  on 
Pegasus,  'Sonnet  by  M.  F.  Tupper.'  A 
monstrous  pile  of  quintessential  ROT. 

1879.  BRADDON,  Cloven  Foot,  iv.  I 
thought  he  despised  ballet-dancing,  yet 
this  is  the  third  time  I  have  seen  him  look- 
ing on  at  this  ROT. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
A  rms,  xliii.  Half  what  them  fellows  puts 
down  is  regular  ROT. 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer  at  Cambridge, 
106.     Everybody  here  would  have  ROTTED 
me  to  death. 

1892.  HENLEY      and     STEVENSON, 
Deacon  Brodie,  HI.  i.  30.     Oh,  ROT,   I 
ain't  a  parson. 

1894.  MOORE,  Esther  Waters,  xxxix. 
All  bloody  ROT  ;    who  says  I'm  drunk  ? 
Ibid.,  xi.    A  regular  ROTTER;  that  man 
is  about  as  bad  as  they  make  'em. 

1899.  Critic,  18  Mar.,  13, 2.  ROTTER, 
at  both  our  seats  of  learning,  is  applied  in- 
discriminately to  all  persons  prone  towards 
intellectual  levity.  But  the  ^word  must 
have  an  elastic  meaning  ;  for  it  embraces 
quacks  and  impostors  who  pass  through 
existence  with  their  tongue  in  their  cheek. 

ROT  IT  (or  ROT'UM),  intj.phr. 
(common). — Hang  it  !  damn  it  ! 

1664.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie,  75. 
Where  once  your  what  shals'  cal'  urns— 
(ROT  UM  !  It  makes  me  mad  I  have  forgot 
'urn). 


1682.  DRYDEN,  Prol.  to  Southern's 
Loyal  Brother,  5.  Both  pretend  love,  and 
both  (plague  ROT  'EM  ! )  hate. 

1742.  FIELDING,  Joseph  Andrews, 
HI.  x.  I  don't  car*  to  abuse  my  profession  ; 
but,  ROT  ME,  if  in  my  heart  I  am  not 
inclined  to  the  poet's  side. 

^  1759.  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy,  i. 
xvi.  ROT  the  hundred  and  twenty  pounds 
—he  did  not  mind  it  a  rush. 

1806.  LAMB,  Mr.  fi.,i.  t.  ROT  his 
impertinence  I  bid  him  .  .  .  not  trouble 
me  with  his  scruples. 

1854.  MARTIN  and  AYTOUN,  Bon 
Gualtier  Ballads,  '  Lay  of  the  Lovelorn.1 
Sink  the  steamboats  1  cuss  the  railways  ! 
ROT,  oh  ROT  the  Three-per-Cents  1 

ROTAN,  subs.  (old). — Any  wheeled 
vehicle  (GROSE). 

ROT-GUT,  subs.  phr.  (old).— Poor 
drink  :  generic  ;  spec,  bad  beer  or 
alcohol :  also  ROTTO  (B.  E., 
DYCHE,  GROSE). 

1597.  HARVEY  [Ency.  Diet.}.  They 
overwhelm  their  panch  daily  with  a  kind 
of  flat  ROT-GUT,  we  with  a  bitter  dreggish 
mall  liquor. 

1633.  HEYWOOD,  Eng.  Traveller,  iv. 
5,  226  (Mermaid).  Let  not  a  tester  scape 
To  be  consumed  in  ROT-GUT. 

1789.  PARKER,  Life's  Painter,  40. 
That  ...  is  better  than  all  the  ROT-GUT 
wine  that  ever  came  from  Popish  grounds. 

1796.  WOLCOT,  P.  Pindar[rty>],  53. 
A  poor  old  woman,  with  diarrhoea,  Brought 
on  by  slip-slop  tea  and  ROT-GUT  beer, 
Went  to  Sangrado  with  a  woeful  face. 

1830.  MARRYAT,  King's  Own,  xxxiv. 
The  master  requested  a  glass  of  grog,  as 
the  ROT-GUT  French  wines  had  given  him 
a  pain  in  the  bowels. 

1856.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown's  School- 
Days,  i.  vi.  Drinking  bad  spirits  and 
punch,  and  such  ROT-GUT  stuff. 

1892.  HENLEY  and  STEVENSON, 
Deacon  Brodie,  iv.  13.  What  brings  the 
man  from  stuff  like  this  to  ROT-GUT  and 
spittoons  at  Mother  Clarke's. 

1895.  Pall  Mall  Gaz. ,  19  Sept.,  9,  i. 
I  armed  myself  with  a  supply  of  the  fieriest 
ROT-GUT  .  .  .  and  set  out  to  wish  him 
good-bye. 


Rothschild. 


Rough. 


ROTHSCHILD.    See  COME. 

ROTTEN -ROW.  To  BELONG  TO 
ROTTEN- ROW,  verb.  phr.  (naval). 
To  be  laid  up  as  past  service  :  of 
ships. 

ROTTEN -SHEEP,.r«fo./Ar.  (Fenian). 
— See  quot. 

1889.  Daily  News,  3  July,  6.  Sir 
Richard  Webster  suddenly  asked  him  if 
ROTTEN  SHEEP  was  a  Fenian  expression. 
It  would  mean  traitor  or  a  useless  fellow, 
said  Mr.  Davitt,  adding  that  he  himself 
had  used  it  in  a  letter. 

ROUGE,  subs.  (Eton). — A  point  in 
the  Eton  game  of  football :  3 
ROUGES  =  I  goal. 

ROUGH,  subs,  and  adj.  (old  collo- 
quial :  now  largely  recognised). — 
A.  ruffian  :  see  quot.  1 868.  As 
adj.  =  «  uncouth,  hard'  (B.  E.), 
severe:  also  (of  fish)  coarse  or 
stale.  Also  TO  CUT  (or  TURN) 

UP  ROUGH  (or  TO  ROUGH  UP) 
=  (i)  to  be  annoyed,  and  (2) 
to  use  strong  language ;  TO 

ROUGH  ONE  =  tO  VCX  ;  TO 
ROUGH  IT  (or  LIE  ROUGH)  =  (l) 

to  endure  hardship  (GROSE)  ;  (2) 
to  take  pot-luck  ;  and  (3)  to  sleep 
in  one's  clothes  (B.  E.,  GROSE)  ; 

ROUGH-AND-READY  =  unpolished, 

happy-go-lucky  ;  ROUGH  ON  = 
hard,  severe. 

1814.  AUSTEN,  Mansfield  Park, 
xxxix.  Take  care  of  Fanny,  mother.  She 
is  tender,  and  not  used  to  ROUGH  IT  like 
the  rest  of  us. 

1843.  Punch,  iv.  254.  He  has,  to  use 
his  own  expression,  ROUGHED-ITE!!  through 
his  life. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 
55.  The  poorer  classes  live  mostly  on  fish, 
and  the  "dropped  "  and  "  ROUGH  "  fish  is 
bought  chiefly  for  the  poor. 

1857.  LAWRENCE,  Guy  Livingstone, 
iv.  There  was  a  railway  in  progress  near, 
and  the  navvies  and  other  ROUGHS  came 
flocking  in  by  hundreds. 


1857.  F.      LOCKER,      Mabel.      My 
jealous  Pussy  CUT  UP  ROUGH  The    day 
before    I    bought    her    muff  With    sable 
trimming. 

1858.  TROLLOPE,  Dr.  Thorne,  xxii. 
He  was  not  going  to  hang  back  ...  he 
had  always  been  ROUGH  AND  READY  when 
wanted — and  then,  he  was  as  READY  as 
ever,  AND  ROUGH  enough,  too,  God  knows. 

1860-5.  MOTLEY,  Un.  Netherlands, 
iv.  138.  The  great  queen  .  .  .  was  be- 
sought ...  to  name  the  man  to  whom 
she  chose  that  the  crown  should  devolve. 
'Not  to  a  ROUGH,'  said  Elizabeth,  sen- 
tentiously  and  grimly. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown  at 
Oxford,  iii.  Drysdale  seemed  to  prick  up 
his  ears  and  get  combative  whenever  the 
other  spoke,  and  lost  no  chance  of  ROUGH* 
ING  HIM  in  his  replies. 

1868.  DICKENS,  All  Year  Round,  10 
Oct.  I  entertain  so  strong  an  objection  to 
the  euphonious  softening  of  ruffian  into 
ROUGH,  which  has  lately  become  popular, 
that  I  restore  the  right  word  to  the  heading 
of  this  paper. 

1870.  BRET  HARTE,  Luck  of  Roar- 
ing Camp.  Yet  a  few  of  the  spectators 
were,  I  think,  touched  by  her  sufferings. 
Sandy  Tipton  thought  it  was  ROUGH  ON 
Sal. 

1872.  Judy,  29  May,  59,  2.  Have 
the  ornaments  handy,  in  case  he  should 

TURN   UP   ROUGH. 

1883.  BLACK,  Yolande,  1.  A  lot  ot 
English  servants,  who  don't  know  what 
ROUGHING  IT  in  a  small  shooting-box  is 
like? 

1889.  Pall  Mall  Gazette,  18  Nov., 
i,  3.  It  must  have  been  during  the  early 
months  of  1852  that  Lord  Salisbury 
"  ROUGHED  IT"  on  the  colonial  goldfields. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  80. 
Going  to  ROUGH  UP.  Ibid.,  40.  PLAYING 

IT  ROUGH. 

1900.  WHITE,  West  End,  355.  She'll 
cut  up  ROUGH.  But  when  she  hears  what 
you  expect  .  .  .  she'll  have  a  different 
feeling  about  it. 

ROUGH  ON  RATS,  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  hard  case. 

See  RUFF. 


Rough-and-  tumble.         5  7 


Round. 


ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE,  subs.  phr. 
(common). — i.  A  free  fight ;  a 
mellay  :  as  adj.  =  boisterous. 

1838.  HALIBURTON,  Clockmaker, 
28.,  i.  "Fair  fight,  or  ROUGH  AND 
TUMBLE, — we've  whipped  'em,  that's  a 
fact." 

1873.  Conservative,  15  Feb.  His 
talent  for  ROUGH  AND  TUMBLE  does  not 
hold  his  own  against  the  more  scientific 
style  and  larger  frame  of  the  Oxford  Pet. 

1883.  PAYN,  Thicker  than  Water, 
xiv.  Ralph  foresaw  that  there  might  be 

...    UA   ROUGH    AND   TUMBLE"   with    his 

young  relative. 

1883.  The  Lute,  15  Jan.,  20,  i. 
11  That  Dreadful  Boy"  is,  in  point  of  fact, 
an  old-fashioned  ROUGH  •  AND  •  TUMBLE 
farce. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xxxvii.  Mpran  after  his  ROUGH 
AND  TUMBLE  with  Jim  .  .  .  was  ready  for 
anything. 

2.  (venery). — The  female  pu- 
dendum :  see  MONOSYLLABLE  : 
also  THE  ROUGH-AND-READY. 
Hence  A  BIT  OF  ROUGH  =  a 
woman. 


ROUGH-DIAMOND,  ^.i.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  person  of  heart  but 
no  manners. 

1753.  Adventurer,  No.  64.  He 
married  a  lady,  whose  influence  would 
have  polished  the  ROUGH  DIAMOND  by 
degrees. 

1853.  LYTTON,  My  Novel,  v.  xiv. 
And  believe  me,  though  I'm  a  ROUGH 
DIAMOND,  I  have  your  true  interest  at 
heart. 


ROUGH-FAN    (or  ROUGH -FAM MY), 

subs.   phr.    (old). — A    waistcoat 
pocket. — VAUX  (1812). 

ROUGH  MALKIN,  subs.  phr.  (ve- 
nery).— The  female  pudendum: 
see  MONOSYLLABLE. 

1538.  LYNDSAY,  Works  [LAiNG,  i. 
131,  91].  I  dreid  ROUGH  MALKIN  die  for 
droute. 


ROUGH-MUSIC,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).—A  clatter  of  sticks,  pots, 
pans,  and  musical  instruments : 
for  the  annoyance  of  offenders 
outraging  public  prejudice.  Some- 
times accompanied  by  a  burning 
in  effigy. 

ROUGH RIDER'S-WASHTUB,  subs, 
phr.  (military).  —  The  barrack 
water-cart. 

ROUGHSHOD.  To  RIDE  ROUGH- 
SHOD (OVER,  or  DOWN).  —  To 
domineer ;  to  be  void  of  GUTS 
(q.v.)  or  BOWELS  (q.v.). 

1881.  Nineteenth  Century,  xxvi. 
894.  Henry  [VIII.],  in  his  later  proceed- 
ings, RODE  ROUGHSHOD  over  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  Church. 

1892.  LOWE,  Bismarck,  I.  283.  The 
Chamber  had  again  been  RIDING  ROUGH- 
SHOD over  His  Majesty's  schemes  of  army 
reform. 

ROUGH-UP,  subs.  phr.  (pugilists').— 
A  fight  at  short  notice. 

1889.  Referee,  26  Jan.  It  may  be 
remembered  that  only  a  few  weeks  ago,  in 
a  similar  ROUGH  UP  with  the  gloves  to  that 
under  notice. 

ROUND,  subs,  (colloquial). —An 
appointed  and  established  circuit 
of  travel :  generic :  cf.  ROUNDER. 
Hence  GENTLEMAN  OF  THE 
ROUND  =  an  officer  of  the  watch. 
Thus  (i)  ROUND  (topers')  =  (a) 
liquor  enough  to  go  round  the 
table,  and  (&)  a  toast  drunk  round ; 
(3)  ROUND  (gamesters')  =  (a) 
cards  to  all,  and  (b)  a  hand  in 
which  all  the  players  deal  in  turn ; 
(3)  an  habitual  course  of  visits, 
calls  for  orders,  inspection  ;  (4)  a 
shot,  a  cartridge ;  and  (5)  archery 
=  a  competition ;  (6)  (pugilists' 
—old)  =  the  successive  periods  of 
action  in  a  mill :  between  fall  and 
fall;  and  (pugilists'— new,  under 
Queensbury  Rules)  ~  so  many  en- 
counters so  many  minutes  long. 


Round. 


Round. 


1596.  JONSON,  Every  Man  in  his 
Humour,  iii.  2.  He  had  writhen  himself 
into  the  habit  of  one  of  your  poor  infantry, 
your  decay'd,  ruinous,  worm-eaten  GEN- 
TLEMEN OF  THE  ROUND.  Ibid.  (1609), 
Epicoene,  iv.  2.  He  walks  the  ROUND,  up 
and  down,  through  every  room  of  the 
house. 

1620.  FLETCHER,  Philaster,  ii.  4. 
Come,  ladies,  shall  we  take  a  ROUND  ?  as 
men  Do  walk  a  mile,  women  should  talk 
an  hour  After  supper. 

^.1667.  JER.  TAYLOR,  Works  (1835),  i. 
615.  Them  that  drank  the  ROUND,  when 
they  crouned  their  heads  with  folly  and 
forgetfulness. 

1714.  Spectator,   597.     Those  noisy 
slaves  .  .  .  take  their  early  ROUNDS  about 
the  city  in  a  morning. 

1715.  ADDISON,  Freeholder,  No.  8. 
The  Tories  .  .  .  can  scarce  find  beauties 
enough  ...  to  supply  a  single  ROUND  of 
October. 

<£i735.  GRANVILLE,  Epigrams,  &*c. 
[Century].  Women  to  cards  may  be  com- 
par'd  ;  we  play  A  ROUND  or  two,  when  us'd, 
we  throw  away. 

^.1790.  B.  FRANKLIN,  Auto.,  239. 
They  .  .  .  would  salute  with  some  ROUNDS 
fired  before  my  door. 

1827.  KEELED  Christian  Year, 
1  Morning.1  The  trivial  ROUND,  the  com- 
mon task. 

1836.  LANE,  Mod.  Egyptians,  I. 143. 
They  accompany  the  military  guards  in 
their  nightly  ROUNDS  through  .  .  .  the 
metropolis. 

1847-8.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair, 
xxxiv.  The  Banbury  man  .  .  .  polished 
him  off  in  four  ROUNDS. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 
55.  The  costermongers  .  .  .  have  mostly 
their  little  bit  of  a  ROUND  ;  that  is,  they  go 
only  to  certain  places. 

1852.  JUDSON,  My st.,  &*c.,  of  New 
York,  i.  113.  Taking  a  cruise  about  town, 
or  going  on  a  spree,  is  called  taking  a 
ROUND. 

1860.  Punch,  xxxviii.  169.  How 
many  ROUNDS  do  you  say  these  ruffians 
fought? 

1868.  WHYTE  -  MELVILLE,  White 
Rose,  i.  iii.  The  start  .  .  .  would  have 
ensured  a  ROUND  of  applause  from  any 
audience  in  Europe. 


1879.  THOMPSON,  Archery,  12.    The 
National  ROUND  '  shot  by  the  ladies  of 

Great  Britain  .  .  . 

1880.  ScribneSs  Mag.,  493.     Taking 
his    ROUNDS   periodically,    giving    ample 
warning  of  his  approach. 

1888.  H.  ADAMS,  Albert  Gallatin, 
540.  The  second  ROUND  in  this  diplomatic 
encounter  closed  with  the  British  govern- 
ment fairly  discomfited. 

2.  (tramps'). — Trousers:  short 

for  ROUND-THE-HOUSES  (q.V.\ 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xiv.  One 
day  he  walked  straight  into  this  kitchen 
clobbered  in  a  black  pair  of  ROUNDS,  tight 
to  his  legs. 

Adj.  (old  colloquial).  —  A 
general  qualitative  :  =  simple, 
straightforward,  unmistakeable. 
Thus  A  ROUND  SUM  =  (i)  a 
large  amount  (B.  E.,  GROSE), 
and  (2)  a  sum  stated  in 
one  term  :  e.g.,  thirty  pounds, 
thirty  shillings,  three  pence;  A 
ROUND  ANSWER  =  plain  speech  ; 
ROUND-DEALING  =  honest  trad- 
ing (B.  E.,  GROSE)  ;  ROUND 
TROT  =  a  good  pace  ;  ROUND 
TALE  =  the  unvarnished  truth  ; 
ROUND  OATH  =  a  swingeing 
expletive  ;  ROUND  -  REPLY  =  a 
straight  answer  ;  ROUNDLY  = 
plainly,  vehemently,  briskly  ; 
ROUND  (or  BROWN)  DOZEN  (see 
BROWN). 

1240.  Middle  English  Poem  [E.  E. 
T.  S.  :  The  Ayenbyte,  &>c.,  234].  The 
tale  of  an  hondred  betokneth  ane  ROUNDS 

FIGURE. 

1593.  HARVEY,  Pierces  Superog. 
\.Wks.,  ii.  49].  Hee  it  is,  that  hath  it 
rightly  in  him  indeede ;  and  can  ROUNDLY 
doe  the  feate,  with  a  witnesse. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  M.  of  Venice,  i. 
3,  104.  Three  thousand  ducats ;  'tis  a 
good  ROUND  SUM.  Ibid.  (1598),  Hen.  V., 
iv.  i.  Your  reproof  is  something  too 
ROUND.  Ibid.  (1602),  Hamlet,  iii.  2.  Let 
her  be  ROUND  with  him.  Ibid.  (1602), 
Othello,  i.  3,  90.  I  will  a  ROUND  un- 


Round. 


59 


Round. 


varnish'd  TALE  deliver.  Ibid,  (1605),  King 
Lear,  i.  4.  He  answered  me  in  the 
ROUNDEST  manner,  he  would  not. 

1598.  FLORID,  Worlde  of  Wordes^ 
s.v.  Crollare  il  pero  ...  To  tickle  a 
woman  ROUNDLIE. 

1620.  FLETCHER  and  MASSINGER, 
Little  Fr.  Lawyer^  iii.  2.  What  a  bold 
man  of  war  1  he  invites  me  ROUNDLY. 

^.1626.  BACON,  Works  (1887),  '  Truth.' 
Clear  and  ROUND  DEALING  is  the  honour 
of  man's  nature.  Ibid.  (JOHNSON).  The 
Kings  interfered  in  a  ROUND  and  princely 
MANNER.  Ibid.t  Polit.  Fables,  ii.  He 
ROUNDLY  and  openly  avows  what  most 
.  .  .  conceal. 

1646.  BROWNE,  Vulg.  Err.,  vi.  i. 
The  age  of  Noah  is  delivered  to  be  just 
five  hundred  when  he  begat  Sem  ;  whereas 
perhaps  he  might  be  somewhat  above  or 
below  that  ROUND  and  complete  NUMBER. 

1700.      CENTLIVRE,    Perjured  Hus- 
",  iv.  2.     Suppose  I  help  you  to  a  lady 

with  a  ROUND  SUM  ;  you'd  keep  your  word, 

and  marry  her  ? 

1751.  FIELDING,  Amelia,  vn.  ix.  I 
began  to  entertain  some  suspicions,  and  I 
took  Mrs.  Ellison  very  ROUNDLY  to  task 
upon  them. 

1779.  SHERIDAN,  Critic,  i.  i.  He 
ROUNDLY  asserts  that  you  had  not  the 
slightest  invention  or  original  genius. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xliii. 
It's  likely  he  might  be  brought  to  pay  a 
ROUND  SUM  for  restitution.  Ibid.  (1818), 
Rob  Roy,  vii.  The  self-willed  girl  told 
me  ROUNDLY,  that  my  dissuasions  were 
absolutely  in  vain. 

1847.  BRONTE,  Jane  Eyre,  xxvii. 
You  found  ready  and  ROUND  ANSWERS. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  H. 
526.  This  .  .  .  pursuing  the  ROUND 
NUMBER  system  would  supply  nearly  five 
articles,  &c. 

1859.  TENNYSON,  Geraint.  ROUND 
was  their  pace  at  first,  but  slackened  soon. 

i8[?].  SHARP,  Sermons,  iv.,  ser.  18. 
Either  a  ROUND  OATH  or  a  curse. 

1882.  BERESFORD  HOPE,  The  Bran- 
dreths,  i.  v.  Remonstrating  ...  in 
ROUND,  bold,  unconventional  LANGUAGE. 

£.1891.  Lancet  [Century],  The 
destructors  now  consumed,  ROUNDLY, 
about  500  loads  of  refuse  a  week. 


d.  1898.  GLADSTONE,  Might  oj  Right, 
175.  [The  United  States]  has  risen,  during 
one  simple  Century  of  freedom,  in  ROUND 
NUMBERS,  from  two  millions  to  forty-five. 

2.  (tailors'). — Languid  ;  MON- 
DAYISH (q.v.) 

Verb,  (colloquial).— i.  To  be- 
tray ;  to  PEACH  (q.v.) ;  (2)  to  turn 
upon  and  berate  :  also  TO  ROUND 
ON. 

1864.  Comhill  Magazine,  vi.  646. 
ROUNDING  or  treachery  is  always  spoken 
of  very  indignantly,  and  often  severely, 
and  even  murderously  punished. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
i.  Both  desisted  from  their  own  recrimina- 
tions as  to  ROUNDING  and  "blowing"  on 
each  other. 

1882.  D.  Telegraph,  6  Oct.,  6,  2. 
The  prisoner  .  .  .  denied  the  charge,  but 
afterwards  asked  who  had  ROUNDED. 

1889.  Answers,  n  May,  380.  He 
ROUNDED  on  the  warder,  and  the  Governor, 
to  catch  the  officer,  ordered  the  prisoner  to 
act  as  if  the  discovery  had  not  been  known. 

1897.  MAUGHAM,  Zzaa  of  Lambeth, 
xi.  They've  all  ROUNDED  on  me  except 
you,  Tom. 

To  ROUND  UP,  verb.  phr. 
(colonial).— To  collect  cattle:  for 
inspection,  branding,  &c.  :  also 
as  subs.  Whence  (general)  =  to 
complete ;  to  take  stock. 

1881.  GRANT,  Bush  Life.  ROUND 
THEM  UP,  if  possible,  and  let  them  stand  a 
few  minutes  to  breathe. 

1886.  ROOSEVELT,  Hunting  Trips, 
ii.  [A  ranchman's]  hardest  work  comes 
during  the  spring  and  fall  ROUND-UPS. 

1886.  Philadelphia    Times,   3  May 
[Century].       That    exception   .  .  .    will 
probably  be  included  in  the  general  ROUND- 
UP [of  an  agreement  among  railroads]  to- 
morrow. 

1887.  FRANCIS,  S addle  nnd  Moccasin. 
As  soon  as  the  ROUND  UP  was  completed, 
the  branding  was  to  take  place. 

To  BET  ROUND,  verb.  phr. 
(racing).— To  bet  upon  (or  against) 
several  horses  in  a  race. 


Round-about. 


60 


Round  Mouth. 


ROUND-ABOUT,  subs.  (old). — i.  See 
quot.  ^.1548.  Also  (2:  modern) 
=  a  short,  close-fitting  jacket  : 

also  ROUNDER. 

c.1548.  LATIMER,  Sermons  and  Re- 
mains '(PARKER,  Works,  108).  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng:t  i.  516.  The  huge  farthingales 
worn  by  women  are  called  ROUND-ABOUTS]. 

1848.  DURIVAGE,  Stray  Subjects, 
81.  One  of  the  party  in  a  green  ROUND- 
ABOUT. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  24. 
That's  me  in  plaid  dittos  and  ROUNDER. 

3.  (thieves').— A  female  thief  s 
all-round  pocket. 

4.  (common). — i.  A  horizontal 
wheel  or  frame,  turned  by  a  small 
engine,     and      furnished      with 
wooden    horses  or   carriages ;   a 
merry-go-round. 

1872.  BESANT  &  RICE,  R.  M.  Morti- 
boy,  xxiii.  He  got  ...  a  Punch  and 
Judy,  swing-boats,  a  ROUNDABOUT,  and  a 
performing  monkey. 

5.  (prison). — A  treadmill ;  the 

EVERLASTING-STAIRCASE   (^.Z>.). 

6.  (thieves'). — Ahousebreaker's 
tool :  it  cuts  a  round  piece,  about 
five  inches  in  diameter,  out  of  a 
shutter    or    door;    also    ROUND 
ROBIN  (GROSE). 

ROUND-AND-SQUARE,  thr.  (rhym- 
ing). — Everywhere. 

ROUND-BETTING.    See  ROUND. 

ROUNDEM,  subs,  (thieves'). — A 
button. 

ROUNDER,  subs,  (common). — i.  A 
whoremaster  :  see  MUTTON  - 
MONGER:  spec,  a  FANCY-MAN 
(q.v.). 

2.  (common).  —  A   person    or 
thing  taking  or  making  a  ROUND 
(subs.t  senses  1-6). 

3.  (common).  —  A    round    of 
cheers. 


1882.  BLACKMORE,      Christowell, 
xxxiii.      Was    off  amid    a    ROUNDER   of 
'  Thank'e,  ma'am,  thank'e.' 

4.  (common). — A  big  oath. 

1886.  CAMPBELL  -  PRAED,  Heaa 
Station,  33.  We  can  all  swear  a  ROUNDER 
in  the  stock-yard. 

5.  (American). — A    man   who 
goes  habitually  from  bar  to  bar. 

1883.  Century,  xxxvi.  249.   Midnight 
ROUNDERS,  with   nose    laid  over  .  .  .  _as 
evidence  of  their  prowess  in  bar-room  mills 
and  paving-stone  riots. 

1886.  Philadelphia  Times  [Century}. 
G  .  .  .  had  made  himself  conspicuous  as 

a  ROUNDER. 

1887.  Christ,    Union,   25  Aug.     A 
very     large     proportion   .    .   .   are     old 
ROUNDERS,  who  return  again  and  again. 

TO  ROUND  (or  ROUND   IN  THE 

EAR),    verb.    phr.     (old).  —  To 
whisper. 

1604.  SHAKSPEARE,  Winter's  Tale, 
i.  2,  217.  They're  .  .  .  whispering, 

ROUNDING. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Dict.,s.v.  S'ACCOU- 
TER  A  L'OREILLE. 

See    ROUND,   subs,    and  adj.% 
and  ROUND-ABOUT. 

ROUNDHEAD,  subs,  (old  colloquial). 
— A  PURITAN  (q.v.).  [The  hair 
was  worn  closely  cropped.]  To 

ROUND  THE   HEAD  =  tO    CUt  the 

hair  round.— B.  E.,  GROSE. 

ROUNDY   (or    ROUNDY-KEN),   Subs. 

phr.    (old). — A  watch-house  ;   a 
lock-up. 

1828.  EGAN,  Finish  to  Life  in  Lon- 
don, 245.  To  avoid  a  night's  lodging  in 

the  ROUNDY-KEN. 

ROUND  MOUTH  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(old).  —  The  fundament  :  also 
BROTHER  ROUND-MOUTH. 
'BROTHER  ROUND -MOUTH 
SPEAKS  '  =  '  He  has  let  a  fart ' 

(GROSE). 


Round  0. 


61 


Rouse. 


ROUND  O,    subs.  phr.    (old).— A 
thumping  lie  :  see  WHOPPER. 

1605.  London  Prodigal,™.*.  How- 
soever the  Devonshire  man  is,  my  master's 
mind  is  bloody,  that's  a  ROUND  O  [aside], 
and,  therefore,  Sir,  entreaty  is  but  vain. 

ROUND  ROBIN,  suds.  phr.  (old). — 
I.  See  quots. 

1563.  Fox,  Acts  and  Monuments, 
523.  _  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  550. 
Scurrilous  Protestants  used  to  call  the 
Host  ROUND  ROBIN  ;  we  apply  the  phrase 
to  petitions.] 

^.1569.      COVERDALE,      Works,     \.     426. 

Certain  fond  talkers  .  .  .  invent  and  apply 
to  this  most  holy  sacrament  names  of 
despite  and  reproach,  as  to  call  it  Jack-in- 
the-Box  and  ROUND-ROBIN. 

1661.  HEYLIN,  Reformation,  L  99. 
Reproached  it  [the  Sacrament]  by  the 
odius  names  of  Jack-in-a-box,  ROUND 
ROBIN,  Sacrament  of  the  Halter  .  .  . 

2.  (old).^-A  religious  (=  poli- 
tical) brawler. 

1692.  HACKKT,  Life  of  Williams, 
ii.  177.  These  Wat  Tylers  and  ROUND 
ROBINS  being  driven  .  .  .  out  of  White- 
hall. 

3.  (colloquial).  —  See    quots. 
(GROSE). 

1626.  Court  and  Times  Chas.  /.,  i. 
187.  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,\\.  75.  We 
find  the  first  instance  of  a  ROUND  ROBIN 
in  1626 ;  sailors  write  their  names  and 
marks  in  a  good  round  circular  form  so 
that  none  might  appear  for  a  ringleader.] 

1660.  Rump  Songs,  i.  66.  The 
ROUND-ROBIN  by  a  like  fate,  Is  Victor  in 
the  Tubb. 

1755-  World,  146.  A  ROUND  ROBIN 
...  of  above  a  thousand  of  the  most 
respectable  names. 

1776.  FORBES  [BOSWELL,  Johnson 
(HILL),  in.  83].  A  ROUND  ROBIN,  as  the 
sailors  call  it  ...  so  as  not  to  let  it  be 
known  who  puts  his  name  first  or  last  to 
the  paper. 

1838.  LYTTON,  Alice,  iv.  iii.  The 
whole  country  shall  sign  a  ROUND  ROBIN 
to  tell  him  it's  a  shame. 

1886.  D.  Telegraph,  24  Feb.  The 
members  of  the  Royal  Commission  sent  to 
Sir  George  Grey  a  sort  of  ROUND-ROBIN. 


4  and  5.  (thieves').—  See  quot. 
and  ROUNDABOUT. 

1889.  CLARKSON  and  RICHARDSON, 
Police,  341.  Go  in  for  a  ROUND  ROBIN,  or 
good  heavy  swindle. 

ROUND-SHAVING,  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— A  reprimand. 

ROUND-THE-HOUSES,      subs.     phr. 

(rhyming).  —  Trousers  :       cf. 

ROUNDS. 

1892.  MARSHALL,  The  Rusher 
[Sporting  Times,  29  Oct.].  My  ROUND- 
THE-HOUSES  I  tried  to  dry,  By  the  Anna 
Maria's  heat. 

1898.  Pink  'Un  and  Pelican,  153. 
Mr.  Commissioner  Kerr  .  .  .  once  in- 
formed a  snip  who  was  after  a  chap  for  the 
price  of  a  couple  o'  pair  o1  light  ROUND- 
MY-HOUSES  .  .  .  that  there  was  no  such 
thing  as  taking  credit. 

RON  NY,  subs.  (old). — A  potato;  a 

MURPHY  (q.V.). 

1821.  HAGGART,  Life,  90.  A  field 
where  some  coves  were  rousting  RONNIES. 

ROUSE,  subs.  (old). — (i)  A  large 
glass  full  of  liquor ;  a  big  bum- 
per ;  (2)  a  carouse. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hamlet,  i.  4. 
The  king  doth  wake  to-night,  and  take  his 
ROUSE. 

1609.  JONSON,  Silent  Woman,  iii.  2. 
We  will  have  a  ROUSE  in  each  of  them. 

1609.  DEKKER,  Guls  Hornbook 
[NARES].  Tell  me,  thou  soverai^ne 
skinker,  how  to  take  the  German's  upsy- 
freeze,  the  Danish  ROUZA,  the  Surtyer's 
stoop  of  Rhenish. 

1618.  DRAYTON,  Verses  in  CHAP- 
MAN'S Hesiod.  To  fetch  deep  ROUSES 
from  Jove's  plenteous  cup. 

1618.  FLETCHER,  Loyal  Subject,  iv. 
5.  Take  the  ROUSE  freely,  sir,  'Twill  warm 
your  blood,  and  make  you  fit  for  jollity. 
Ibid.  (1624),  Wife  for  a  Month,  ii.  6. 
We'll  have  a  ROUSE  before  we  go  to  bed, 
friends. 

c.  1620.  HEALEY,  Disc,  of  New  World, 
84.  Gone  is  my  flesh,  yet  thirst  lies  in 
the  bone,  Give  me  one  ROUSE,  my  friend, 
and  get  thee  gone. 


Rouser. 


62 


Rover. 


1623.  MASSINGER,  Duke  of  Milan, 
I.  i.  Your  lord,  by  his  patent,  stands 
bound  to  take  his  ROUSE. 

1840.  TENNYSON,  Vision  of  Sin. 
Fill  the  cup  and  fill  the  can,  Have  a  ROUSE 
before  the  morn. 

3.  (thieves'). — See  quot. 

1888.  Ev.  Standard,  26  Dec.  If  the 
constable  did  not  allow  him  to  go  to  the 
station  in  a  cab  he  would  ROUSE  (a  slang 
term  for  fighting). 

ROUSER,  subs,  (common). — Generic 
for  anything  exceptional.  Hence 
ROUSING  =  very,  great,  startling, 
exciting. 

1677.  COLES,  Eng.-Lat.  Diet.  A 
ROUSING  lye,  mendacium  magnificum. 

1719.  DURFEY,  Pills  to  Purge,  i.  264. 
She  grown  coy,  Call'd  him  Boy,  He  gett- 
ing from  her  cry'd,  Zoons,  you'r  a  ROUZER. 

1767.  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy, 
vi.  109.  A  Jew  .  .  .  had  the  ill-luck  to 
die  .  .  .  and  leave  his  widow  in  possession 
of  a  ROUSING  trade. 

t868.  Putnam's  Mag.,  Jan.  He  is  a 
ROUSER  at  making  punch. 

1893,  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  64. 
We  made  the  whole  place  ring  a  ROUSER, 
till  Jolter  implored  us  to  stop. 

2.  (old). — A  tremendous  fart. 

1731.  SWIFT,  Strefhon  and  Chloe, 
.  .  .  Let  fly  a  ROUSER  in  her  face. 

ROUST,  subs,  (old).— i.  The  act  of 
kind ;  whence,  as  verb.  —  to 
copulate  :  see  GREENS  and  RIDE. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  iv.  i.  And 
with  her  cruel  lady-star  uprose  She  seeks 
her  third  ROUST  on  her  silent  toes. 

Verb,  (old).— i.  See  subs.  ;  (2) 
to  frisk ;  to  disturb ;  to  shift ; 
(3)  to  steal :  see  ROUSTABOUT. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  iv.  2.  While 
yet  he  ROUSTETH  at  some  uncouth  signe 

1821.     HAGGART,    Life,    66.  She 

raised    the    doun    that     the     swag  was 

ROUSTED.    Ibid.,  90.     Some    coves  were 
ROUSTING  ronnies. 


ROUSTABOUT  (ROUSE-ABOUT  or 
ROUSER),  subs,  (common). — i. 
See  quots. ;  (2)  a  fidget,  and  (3) 
a  term  of  contempt. 

1868.  Putnam's  Mag:.,  Sept.,  'On 
the  Plains.'  As  the  steamer  was  leaving 
the  levee,  about  forty  black  deck-hands  or 
ROUSTABOUTS  gathered  at  the  bow,  and 
sang  a  rude  Western  sailor's  song. 

1871.  DE  VERB,  Americanisms,  225. 
The  Western  rough  is  frequently  a  ROUST- 
ABOUT— a  term  evidently  derived  from  the 
old  English  ROUST,  quoted  by  Jamieson  as 
meaning  to  disturb.  He  is  noisy,  but  not 
necessarily  a  rowdy,  and  frequently  a 
useful  member  of  society  in  some  capacity 
which  requires  hard  work  and  constant 
exposure. 

1883.  EDW.  E.  MORRIS  [Long-man's 
Mag.,  June,  178].  This  poor  young  man 
had  been  a  ROUSTABOUT  hand  on  a  station 
[in  Australia]  (a  colonial  expression  for  a 
man  who  can  be  put  to  any  kind  of  work). 

1890.  New  York  Sun,  23  Mar.  An 
old  Mississippi  ROUSTABOUT. 

1894.  Sydney  Morning-  Herald,  6 
Oct.  A  rougher  person — perhaps  a  happier 
—is  the  ROUSEABOUT,  who  makes  himself 
useful  in  the  shearing  shed  .  .  .  sometimes 
.  .  .  spoken  of  as  a  ROUSTABOUT. 

[?].  American  [Ctntury].  Men  .  .  . 
who  used  to  be  ROUSTERS,  and  are  now 
broken  down  and  played  out 

ROUT,  subs,  (old).— i.  A  fashion- 
able party  ;  and  (2)  '  a  card 
party  at  a  private  house '  (GROSE). 
As  verb.  =  to  assemble  in  com- 
pany. 

1775.  SHERIDAN,  Rivals,  i.  i.  A 
tall  Irish  baronet  she  met  ...  at  Lady 
MacshufHe's  ROUT. 

i8[?].  MACAULAY  [TREVELYAN,  i. 
265].  I  have  attended  a  very  splendid 
ROUT  at  Lord  Grey's. 

ROUTER,  subs,  (old).— A  cow :  hence 

ROUTER -PUTTERS    =    COWs'-feet 

(HAGGART). 

ROVE,  verb,  (old  :  now  recognised). 
— '  To  wander  idly  up  and  down.' 
— B.  E.  (^.1696). 

ROVER,  subs.  (American).— I.  See 
quot. 


Row. 


Row. 


1889.  LELAND,  in  S.  /.  &»  C.t  s.v. 
ROVERS  .  .  .  Young  and  good-looking 
women  who  go  into  brokers'  shops,  law- 
offices,  stores,  .  .  .  many  employed  by 
churches,  hospitals,  &c.  ;  others  are  cheats, 
who  have  many  ingenious  devices  to  obtain 
money  .  .  .  Also  largely  employed  for 
purposes  of  intrigue. 

2.  (old). — A   pirate  ;    a   free- 
booter ;    (formerly :    now  recog- 
nised) a  'wanderer  ;  a  vagabond.' 
— B.  E.,  GROSE.     Also  (B.  E.) 
TO  RUN  (or  SHOOT)  AT  ROVERS 
=  '  to  run  wild,  to  act  at  random.' 

1440.  Prompt.  Parv.,  437.  Robare 
.  .  .  yn  the  see  (ROVARE,  or  thef  of  the 
se). 

</.i5i2.  FABYAN,  Chronicle,  359.  The 
best  men  of  ye  cytie  by  thyse  ryotous 
persones  were  spoyled  and  robbid  ;  and  by 
the  ROUERS  also  of  ye  see. 

1611.  Bible,  i  Chron.  xii.  21.  And 
they  helped  David  against  the  band  of  the 
ROVERS. 

1715.  SOUTH,  Sermons  [Century], 
Providence  never  SHOOTS  AT  ROVERS. 

^.1765.  POCOCK,  Desc.  of  East,  n.  i. 
51.  The  Maltese  ROVERS  take  away  every 
thing  that  is  valuable  both  from  Turks  and 
Christians. 

1827.  COOPER,  Red  ROVER,  ii. 
The  ship  of  that  notorious  pirate,  the  Red 
ROVER. 

3.  (common).  —  In   pi.  =  the 
thoughts  QAMIESON). 

Row,  subs,  (originally  University: 
now  general ). — i .  A  disturbance ; 
a  SHINDY  (g.v.) ;  boisterous  talk  : 
also  ROWING  :  hence  (2)  a  mob 
(Univ.).  Whence  ROWING-MAN 
(ow  as  ough  in  *  bough ')  =  a 
SPREESTER  (q.v.\  Also  as  verb. 
=  (i)  to  abuse;  to  create  a  dis- 
turbance (see  quot.  1825) ;  TO 
GET  INTO  A  ROW  =  to  get  into 
trouble  ;  [GROSE :  s.v.  ROUT, 
'  shortened  into  ROW,  Cambridge 
slang.'] 

1794.  Gent.  Mag.,  1085.  And  was 
very  near  rustication  [at  Cambridge], 
merely  for  kicking  up  a  ROW  after  a 
beakering  party. 


™  i8a%  ,  BVRON  [to  Mn  Murray,  20 
May].  Tell  [Campbell]  all  this,  and  let 
him  take  it  in  good  part  ;  for  I  might  have 
rammed  it  into  a  review  and  ROWED  him. 

1823.  Hints  /or  Oxford,  6.  Faultless 
and  frowning  bemgs,  who  must  needs  be 
ever  ROWING  you  at  lecture. 


^  M  &>   '•    '58  [Note, 

Uxtord.  ]  ROWING  A  FELLOW  —  going 
with  a  party  in  the  dead  of  night  to  a 
man's  room,  nailing  or  screwing  his  oak 
up,  so  as  it  cannot  be  opened  on  the  inside, 
knocking  at  his  door,  calling  out  fire,  and 
when  he  comes  to  the  door,  burning  a 
quantity  of  shavings  ...  to  impress  him 
with  the  idea  that  the  staircase  ...  is  on 
fire.  And  when  he  is  frightened  almost 
out  of  his  senses,  setting  up  a  most  hideous 
horse-laugh  and  running  away. 

1826.  CROKER  \Croker  Papers,  i. 
331],  Where  there  was  a  smart  young 
waiter,  whom,  however,  these  two  English- 
men used  to  ROW  exceedingly. 


abou 


1837.     BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.,  i. 
Next  morning  there  was  a  ereat  ROW 


1852.  BRISTED,  Five  Years  in  Eng. 
Univ.  More  disposed  to  ROWING  than 
reading. 

1864.  Eton  School  Days,  n.  Chud- 
leigh  was  going  to  speak  .  .  .  when 
Chorley  cried,  Hold  your  ROW,  will  you  ? 

1883.  Punch,  n  August,  72,  2.  My 
sire  will  ROW  me  vigorously,  My  mother 
sore  complain. 

1889.  Time,  Aug.,  149.  I  have  a 
reminiscence  of  ROWING  her  for  growing  as 
tall  as  myself.  Ibid.,  151.  He  ROWS  her 
so  fearful  that  Kitty  thinks  he'll  be  sure  to 
desert  her  now. 

THE  Row,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— I.  Rotten  Row,  Hyde 
Park;  and  (2)  Paternoster  Row 
(booksellers'). 

1812.  COMBE,  Syntax,  Picturesque, 
c.  xxiii.  'Tis  not  confined,  we  all  must 
know,  To  vulgar  tradesmen  in  THE  Row. 

1879.  DICKENS,  Diet,  of  London,  s.v. 
BOND  STREET.  Those  who  would  see  the 
lounger  of  the  present  day  must  look  for 
him  in  THE  Row. 


Rowdy. 


64 


Rowl. 


PHRASES.  A  HARD  (or  LONG) 
ROW  TO  HOE  =  a  difficult  task  ; 
TO  HOE  ONE'S  OWN  ROW  =  to 
mind  one's  own  business ;  TO 

ROW    IN    THE    SAME    BOAT  =  tO 

share. 

1840.  CROCKETT,  Tour  Down  East, 
69.  Gentlemen,  I  never  opposed  Andrew 
Jackson  for  the  sake  of  popularity.  I 
knew  it  was  a  HARD  ROW  TO  HOE. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life,  122. 
God  help  that  poor  creatur,  she's  GOT  A 

HARD   ROW  TO   HOE. 

1871.  MULFORD  in  San  Francisco 
Chronicle.  Now  that  I  have  HOED  MY 
OWN  ROW  and  rumor  gives  me  a  false  con- 
dition, they  deluge  me  with  congratula- 
tions. 

1892.  GUNTER,  Miss  Dividends,  iv. 
I  am  afraid  Harry  Lawrence  has  A  HARD 

ROW  TO  HOE. 

ROWDY,  subs,  (common).  —  I.  A 
blackguard;  and  (2)  a  political 
brawler  (American).  Hence 
ROWDY  (ROWDY  -  DOWDY,  or 
ROWDY -DOW)  =  blackguardly, 
turbulent,  vulgar  ;  ROWDYISM 
(ROWDY-DOW,  or  ROWDINESS)  = 
blackguardism. 

1842.  DICKENS,  American  Notes, 
xiii.  Two  .  .  .  demi-johns,  were  con- 
signed  to  the  least  ROWDY  of  the  party  for 
safe-keeping 

1852.  T$KiSTEp,UfperTenTJtousand, 
33.  Whose  team  is  that  ?  Some  ROWDY'S, 
I  perceive.  Ibid. ,  69.  My  red  wheels  .  .  . 
are  rather  ROWDY,  I  must  own  ;  not  exactly 
the  thing  for  a  gentleman. 

1852.  Cadger's  ^//[LABERN,  Comic 
Song  Book}.  Jane  of  the  Hatchet-face 
divine  Just  did  the  ROWDY-DOWDY  poker. 

1857.  KINGSLEY,  Two  Years  Ago,  x. 
A  drunken,  gambling,  cut-throat  ROWDY. 

1857.  Baltimore  Clipper,  8  Sept. 
'Convention  of  Baltimore  ROWDIES.' 
[Title.] 

1859.  BARTLETT,  Did.  American- 
isms, s.v.  ROWDY.  The  ROWDY  nomen- 
clature of  the  principal  cities  may  now  be 
classified  as  follows  :— NEW  YORK.— Dead 
Rabbits  ;  Bowery  Boys  ;  Forty  Thieves  ; 
Skinners;  Robin  Hood  Club;  Huge 


Paws  ;  Short  Boys  ;  Swill  Boys  ;  Shoulder- 
hitters;  Killers.  PHILADELPHIA. — Killers; 
Schuylkill  Annihilates ;  Moyamensing 
Hounds  ;  Northern  Liberty  Skivers  ;  and 
Peep  of  Day  Boys.  BALTIMORE. — Plug- 
Usjlies  ;  Rough  Skins  ;  Double  Pumps  ; 
Tigers  ;  Black  Snakes  ;  Stay  Lates  ;  Hard 
Times ;  Little  Fellows ;  Blood  Tubs  ;  Dips; 
Ranters  ;  Rip-Raps  ;  and  Gladiators. 

1866.  HOWELLS,  Venetian  Life,  xx. 
The  lasagnone  is  a  loafer  .  .  .  but  he  can- 
not be  a  ROWDY,— that  pleasing  blossom 
on  the  nose  of  our  fast,  high-fed,  thick- 
blooded  civilisation. 

1871.  Observer,  24  Dec.  Everything 
seems  to  be  ROWDY,  and  to  have  about  it  a 
flavour  of  brandy-and- water  ;  yet  the  people 
are  industrious  and  well-ordered. 

1882.  ANSTEY,  Vice-Versa,  y.  "  I 
was  strolling  down  Petty  Cury  with  two 
other  men,  smoking  (Bosher  of  '  Pot- 
house,' and  Peebles  of  '  Cats,'  both  pretty 
well  known  up  there  for  general  ROWDI- 
NESS, you  know — dear  old  friends  of 
mine)." 

1884.  D.  Telegraph,  n  Feb.,  5,  2. 
His  methods  of  controversy  have  been 
coarse  ;  his  Republicanism  has  been  pushed 

tO  ROWDYISM. 

1892.  Pall  MallQaz.,  12  Mar.,  6,  2. 
I  have  never  heard  him  use  any  bad  lan- 
guage, or  behave  in  any  ROWDY  kind  of 
way. 

3.  (common).  —  Money  :    see 
RHINO  :  cf.  RUDDY. 

1841.  LEMAN  REDE,  Sixteen  String 
Jack,  i.  4.    Theo.  (aside.)   What's  ROWDY, 
I  wonder? 

1842.  EG  AN,  Bould  Yeoman  [Capt. 
Macheath].     I  will  not  down  you,  if  you 
will  but  disburse  your  ROWDY  with  me. 

1849.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis,  Ixxv. 
From  your  account  of  him  he  seems  a 
muff  and  not  a  beauty.  But  he  has  got 
THE  ROWDY,  which  is  the  thing. 

1856.  Punch,  xxxi.  79.  The  Queen 
of  Oude,  May  spend  her  ROWD,  Y,  careless 
and  sans  souci. 

ROWL,  verb.  (American  University). 
— To  recite  well :  cf.  RUSH. 

2.  (old).-— Money:  see  RHINO. 


Royal. 


Rub. 


ROYAL,  subs,  (dockers'). — &«quot. 

1883.  SIMS,  How  the  Poor  Live,  96. 
Regular  men,  called  ROYALS,  are  pretty 
sure  to  be  taken  on,  their  names  being 
on  the  ganger's  list  and  called  out  by 
him  as  a  matter  of  course.  Ibid.,  98.  It 
is  when  the  ROYALS  are  exhausted  that  the 
real  excitement  begins. 

ROYAL-GOATS,  subs.phr.  (military). 
—The  Royal  Welsh  Fusiliers 
(formerly  the  Twenty-third  Foot.) 
Also  ' '  Nanny-goats. "  [A  goat  is 
kept  as  a  regimental  pet.] 

ROYAL-IMAGE,  su6s.  phr.  (old).— 
In//.  =  money  :  see  RHINO. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  287.  Poor  Gil  Bias  was  left  be- 
hind, without  a  ROYAL  IMAGE  in  his  pocket. 

ROYAL  POVERTY,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— Gin  :  see  WHITE  SATIN. — 
BAILEY  (1728). 

ROYAL-SCAMP,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 

GENTLEMAN  OF  THE  ROAD  (q.V.) 

as  distinguished  from  a  foot-pad 
(GROSE). 

ROYSTER.    See  ROISTER. 
ROZIN.     See  ROSIN. 

ROZZER,  subs,  (thieves').— A  police- 
man :  see  BEAK. 

i8[?]  Globe  [S.  J.  &  C.  ].  The  prisoner, 
seeing  a  detective  watching  him,  called 
out  to  a  companion,  "  There's  a  ROSSER  !  " 
The  term  is,  as  the  magistrate  opined,  a 
new  one. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Signer  Lippp,  xviii. 
If  the  ROZZERS  was  to  see  him  in  bona 
clobber  they'd  take  him  for  a  gun.  Ibid. , 
xx.  So  I  took  on  knocker  up,  but  when  I 
began  the  ROZZERS  was  down  on  me. 

1898.  Pink  'Un  and  Pelican,  237. 
What  does  she  do  ?  Lor1  doomy  1  she 
acksherly  sticks  'er  'ead  out  o'  winder  an' 
calls  up  a  ROZZER  ! 

1901.  Sporting  Times,  6  Ap.,  i.  4. 
From  calmness  I  don't  mean  to  lapse,  I 
scorn  you  counterjumping  chaps,  Or  you're 
some  ROZZER'S  nark,  perhaps. 

R's.    See  THREE  R's  (THE). 


RUB,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  i.  An 
obstacle ;  a  disputable  point ;  a 
difficulty  :  also  (Old  Cant)  =  a 
hard  shift  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 
Hence,  as  verb.  =  to  hinder,  to 
obstruct.  Also  RUBBER. 

1590.  NASHE,  Pasquits  Apologie 
[Works,  \.  214],  Some  small  RUBS,  as  I 
heare,  haue  been  cast  in  my  way  to  hinder 
my  comming  forth,  but  they  shall  not 
profit. 

1599.  SHAKSPEARE,  Henry  V.,  ii.  i. 
We  doubt  not  now  But  every  RUB  is 
smoothed  on  our  way.  Ibid.  (1602-3), 
Hamlet,  iii.  i.  To  die,  to  sleep ;  To 
sleep :  perchance  to  dream :  ay,  there's 
the  RUB.  Ibid.  (1605).  Lear,  ii.  2.  Tis 
the  duke's  pleasure,  Whose  disposition,  all 
the  world  well  knows,  Will  not  be  RUBB'D 
nor  stopped. 

1606.  DAY,  lie  of  Guts,  ii.  4.  The 
duke  is  comming  to  bowles,  and  I  would 
not  for  halfe  mine  office  you  shuld  be  a  RUB 
in  the  way  of  his  patience. 

1613.  PURCHAS,  Pilgrimage,  243. 
Perceiumg  that  their  power  and  authoritie 
would  be  a  perillous  RUB  in  his  way. 

1684.  BUNYAN,  Pilgrim's  Progress, 
n.  We  have  met  with  some  notable  RUBS 
already,  and  what  are  yet  to  come  we 
knew  not. 

1724.  HARPER  in  Harlequin  Shep- 
pard.  He  broke  thro'  all  RUBBS  in  the 
whitt. 

1762.  GOLDSMITH,  Life  or  Nash 
[  Works,  552  (Globe)].  But  he  experienced 
such  RUBS  as  these,  and  a  thousand  other 
mortifications,  every  day. 

1840.  DICKENS,  Old  Curiosity  Shop, 
vii.  '  Look  at  the  worst  side  of  the 
question  then,'  said  Trent.  .  .  .  '  Suppose 
he  lives.'  '  To  be  sure,'  said  Dick, '  There's 
the  RUB.' 

1880.  TROLLOPE,  Duke's  Children, 
Ixxi.  He  who  lives  on  comfortable  terms 
with  the  partner  of  his  troubles  can  affo  rd 
to  acknowledge  the  ordinary  RUBS  of  life. 

2.  (military). — A  loan  :  as  of  a 
newspaper. 

Verb,  (venery).— i.  To  mastur- 
bate; TO  FRIG  (g.v.) :  also  TO 
RUB  UP  (or  OFF)  ;  also  subs.  = 
an  act  of  masturbation.  Hence 
RUBBER-UP  =  a  masturbator  ; 


Rub. 


66 


Rub. 


RUBBING-UP  =  masturbation  ;  TO 
DO  A  RUB  UP  =  to  masturbate. 
Fr.  se  branler,  se  coller  une 
douce,  &.c.  Also  (2)  to  copulate  : 
see  RIDE. 

1599.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  Out  of  His 
Humour,  iv.  4.  Carlo.  Let  a  man  sweat 
once  a  week  in  a  hot-house  and  be  well 
RUBBED  and  froted,  with  a  good  plump 
juicy  wench,  and  sweet  linen,  he  shall 
ne'er  have  the  pox. 

1656.  FLETCHER,  Martiall,  xi.  30. 
Thus  Phillis  RUB  ME  UP,  thus  tickle  me. 

1700.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  the  World, 
\.  g.  They  must  wait  a  RUB  OFF,  if  I  want 
appetite. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
5.  Thou  that  RUBS  UP  the  girls  of  Lilla. 
Ibid,  i  42.  Ever  since  I  saw  .  .  .  Thetis 
stroking  your  knees,  as  on  the  ground  you 
sat,  And  RUBBING  UP,  the  LORD  knows 
what. 

3.  (old). — To  run  or  take  away. 
Also  to  RUB  OFF;  TO  RUB  TO 
THE  WHITT  =  to  send  to  New- 
gate (B.  E.,  GROSE). 

£.1550.  BANSLEY,  Pryde  of  Women 
[HAZLITT,  Pop.  Poet.,  iv.  238].  RUBBE 
forthe,  olde  trottes,  to  the  devyl  worde. 

1676.  Warening  for  Housekeepers 
[FARMER,  Musa  Pedestris  (1896),  30.]  O 
then  they  RUB  us  to  the  whitt. 

1688.  SHAVWELLfSguzreofAIsatza, 
i.  The  Captain  whipt  his  Porker  out,  and 
away  RUBB'D  Prigster  and  call'd  the  watch: 

^.1704.  Gentleman  Instructed,  351. 
In  a  huff  he  ...  RUB'D  OFF,  and  left  the 
field  to  Eusebius. 

1737.  Old  Ballad,  'Black  Proces- 
sion [Bacchus  and  Venus],  Toure  you 
well ;  hark  you  well,  see  Where  they  are 
RUBB'D. 

1859.  MATSELL,  Vocabulum,  'Hun- 
dred Stretches  Hence.'  Some  RUBBED  to 
whit  had  napped  a  winder. 

COLLOQUIALISMS.  —  To  RUB 
ALONG  (ON  or  OUT)  =  (i)  to  man- 
age somehow,  to  live  indifferently, 
and  (2)  =  to  live  tolerably  well 
(B.  E.,  £.1696);  TO  RUB  DOWN 
=  I  (police)  to  search  :  the 
prisoner's  arms  are  raised,  the 
vest  unbuttoned,  and  the  officer's 
hand  passed  over  the  body :  also 


TO  RUN  THE  RULE  OVER  J  (2)  to 
scold,  rate,  or  take  to  task  ;  TO 
RUB  IN  =  (i)  to  nag,  annoy,  or 
aggravate  persistently :  Fr.  monter 
une  scie  ;  (2)  to  peg  away,  insist, 
or  exaggerate ;  TO  BE  RUBBED 
ABOUT  =  to  be  made  a  conveni- 
ence ;  TO  RUB  OUT  (tailors')  =  to 
cut  out,  also  (2 — colloquial)  to 
forget  old  grievances,  to  cancel  a 
debt :  also  TO  RUB  OFF  ;  TO  RUB 
OUT  =  to  kill  :  hence  RUBBED 
OUT  =  dead  ;  TO  RUB  UP  =  (i)  to 
refresh  the  memory  (B.  E.,  c.  1696, 
GROSE),  (2)  to  polish  (B.  E.,  c. 
1696 :  now  recognised),  and  (3) 
to  touch  a  tender  point  or  remem- 
brance :  hence  TO  RUB  UP  THE 
WRONG  WAY  =  to  irritate,  to 
annoy :  also  TO  RUB  ON  THE 

GAULE  ;   TO  GIVE  A  RUB  OF  THE 

THUMB  =  to  explain  or  show  the 
way. 
1461-73.    Paston    Letters.      I    wyll 

RUBBE  ON. 

1546.    HEYWOOD,    Proverbs.       RUB 

HIM   ON  THE  GALL., 

1610.  Mirr.  Mag.,  463.  Enough, 
you  RUB'D  the  guiltie  ON  THE  GAULE. 

(£1704.  BROWN,  Works,  i.  193.  Our 
affairs  have  made  a  shift  TO  RUB  ON  with- 
out any  great  conjuring.  Ibid.,  ii.  118. 
With  a  little  RUBBING  UP  my  memory  I 
may  be  able  to  give  you  the  lives  of  all  the 
mitred  hogs. 

1778.  SHERIDAN,  Rivals,  iii.  4.  I 
must  RUB  UP  my  balancing,  and  chasing, 
and  boring. 

a.  1790.  FRANKLIN,  Autobiog.,  73.  We 
had  nearly  consumed  all  my  pistoles,  and 
now  just  RUBBED  ON  from  hand  to  mouth. 

1816.  SCOTT,  Old  Mortality,  xliii. 
Evandale  is  the  man  on  earth  whom  he 
hates  worst,  and  .  .  .  were  he  once  RUBBED 
OUT  of  the  way,  all,  he  thinks,  will  be  his 
own. 

1842.  Punch's  Almanac.  You  see 
Jinks  with  a  three  days'  beard — you  RUB 
OUT  the  slates— forget  his  action,  and—. 

1848.  RUXTON,  Far  West,  65.  In- 
articulate words  reached  the  ears  of  his 
companions  as  they  bent  over  him.  RUBBED 
OUT  at  last,  they  heard  him  say. 


Rubbacrock. 


Rubber-neck. 


1850.  TENNYSON,  In  Memoriam, 
Ixxxix.  We  RUB  each  other's  angles  DOWN. 

1863.  READE,  Hard  Cash,  i.  46. 
What  I  have  got  to  RUB  UP  is  my  Divinity 
and  my  Logic  ;  especially  my  Logic.  Will 
you  grind  Logic  with  me  ? 

1868.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  White 
Rose,  i.  xxv.  It  is  no  unusual  drawback 
to  married  life,  this  same  knack  of  RUBBING 

THE  HAIR  THE  WRONG  WAY. 

1870.  D.  News,  26  May.  '  Metro- 
politan Police.'  RUBBING  it  IN  well  is  a 
well-known  phrase  amongst  the  doubtful 
portion  of  the  constabulary. 

1877.  BESANT  and  RICE,  Golden 
Butterfly,  vii.  Clawed  I  should  have 
been,  mauled  I  should  have  been,  RUBBED 
OUT  I  should  have  been,  on  that  green  and 
grassy  spot,  but  for  the  crack  of  Mr. 
Dunquerque's  rifle. 

1879.  JAMES,  Bundle  oj  Letters,  No. 
IV.  She  is  for  ever  throwing  Boston  up 
at  me  ;  I  can't  get  rid  of  Boston.  The 
other  one  RUBS  IT  INTO  me,  too  ;  but  in  a 
different  way. 

1883.  J.  HAWTHORNE,  Dust,  291. 
Philip  .  .  .  was  always  RUBBED  THE 
WRONG  WAY  by  Lady  Flanders. 

1888.  ROLF  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery 
Under  Arms,  xxix.  I  suppose  he'd  RUB 
THEM  OUT,  every  mother's  son,  if  he  could. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet- 
heart, 86.  We  managed  to  RUB  ALONG  on 
our  fifteen  shillings  per  week. 

1898.  Pink  '  Un  and  Pelican,  163. 
Jubber  was  neither  hard  nor  remorseless 
as  a  rule  unless  they  RUBBED  HIM  THE 
WRONG  WAY. 

1900.  WHITE,  West^End,  25.  I  knew 
this  was  the  aspect  which  he  desired  to 
see,  so  I  RUBBED  it  as  bright  as  I  could 
and  held  it  up  [speaking  of  patronage]. 

1902.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  24  Jan.,  i.  2. 
Mr.  Rowe  .  .  .  will  RUB  this  fact  INTO 
them  before  they  are  much  older. 

RUBBACROCK,  suds,  (colloquial). — 
A  filthy  slattern  ;  a  PUZZLE  (q.v.). 

RUBBAGE  (or  RUBBIDGE),  subs. 
(vulgar). — Rubbish. 

RUBBER,  subs,  (gaming).  —  i.  A 
round  of  three  games :  also  RUB 
(B.  E.,  GROSE). 


1635.  QUARLES,  Emblems,  i.  10.  It 
is  the  trade  of  man,  and  ev'ry  sinner  Has 
play'd  his  RUBBERS  ;  every  soul's  a  winner. 

1680.  AUBREY,  Eminent  Men  [OLi- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  121.  Among  new 
words  are  ...  RUBBER  (of  a  game  .  .  .)]. 

1733-  Adventurer,  35.  Mrs.  Overall, 
the  housekeeper,  having  lost  three  RUBBERS 
at  whist  running. 

1843.  DICKENS,  Martin  Chuzzlewit, 
xi.  I've  seen  him  play  whist,  with  my 
father  for  a  partner  ;  and  a  good  RUBBER, 
too. 

1869.  THACKERAY,  What  Makes  my 
Heart  to  Thrill  and  Glow  ?  7.  Why  was 
it  that  I  laughed  and  grinned  at  whist, 
although  I  lost  the  RUB  ? 

2.  (old).  —  A  slight  reproof ; 
'reflections  upon  any  one  .  .  . 
a  rencounter  with  drawn  swords.' 
— B.  E.  (c.  1696).     Also  RUB. 

3.  (American).  — In  pi.  =  India- 
rubber  over-shoes ;  goloshes. 

1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,  8  Dec. 
When  I  was  a  young  man  I  had  to  slosh 
around  dark,  wet  nights  in  RUBBERS  that 
didn't  fit. 

4.  (old). — Seequ&t. 

1606.  DECKER,  Seven  Deadly  Sinnes, 
32  (ARBER'S  ED.).  A  number  of  poore 
handy-crafts-men,  that  before  wrought 
night  and  day,  made  stocks  to  themselves 
of  ten  groates,  and  crowns  a  peece,  and 
what  by  Betting,  Lurches,  RUBBERS,  and 
such  tricks,  they  never  took  care  for  a 
good  daies  worke  afterwards. 

RUBBER-NECK  (or  RUBBER),  verb, 
phr.    (American).  —  See    quots. 

Also  TO  RUBBER  AROUND. 

1901.  FLYNT    and    WALTON,    The 
Powers  that  Prey,  34.     He  was  perfectly 
at  a  loss  what  to  do  next,  except  as  he 
phrased  it  TO  RUBBER  AROUND,  which  is 
technical  and  esoteric  for  keeping  his  eyes 
and  ears  open.     Ibid.,  60.     They  RUBBER 
so    that    they   aint    thinkin'    'bout    their 
leathers  .  .  .  they'll  screw  their  necks  till 
you'll  think  they  was  never  goun'  to  get 
em   in   shape   again.     Ibid.,   121.     You 
RUBBER  too  much  with  your  neck,  you  do. 

1902.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  8  Mar.,  10,  x. 
It   required    considerable    craning    and 
stretching,  or,  as  the  Americans  pithily 
describe   it,   RUBBER-NECKING,    to   allow 
even  an  occasional  glimpse. 


Rubbish. 


68 


Ruck. 


RUBBISH,  subs.  (old).  —  Money  : 
generic :  see  RHINO. 

1821.  EGAN,  Real  Life,  i.  142.  She 
shall  stump  up  the  RUBBISH  before  I  leave 
her. 

RUBICON,  subs,  (gaming).— Used 
as  in  quot. 

1896.  FARJEON,  Betray.  John  Ford- 
haw,  in.  288.  "  RUBICON'D  agin  !"  cried 
Maxwell  with  a  oath,  dashin"  "is  fist  on  the 
table.  Ibid.,  292.  Eight  fifty.  Double 
the  stake  if  you  like.  Thirteen  'underd. 
Another  RUBICON  .  .  .  Luck  wos  agin  me 
last  night ;  looks  as  if  it  wos  turning. 

RUBIGO,  subs,  (old  Scots'). — The 
penis:  see  PRICK. 

^.1584.  R.  SEMPILL,  Leg.  of  the 
Bischop,  &>c.  His  RUBIGO  began  to  ryiss. 

RUBRIC.  IN  (or  OUT  OF)  THE 
RUBRIC,  phr.  (old). — In  (or  out 
of)  holy  orders. 

1699.  FARQUHAR,  Constant  Couple, 
\.  i.  Who  would  have  thought  to  find 
thee  OUT  OF  THE  RUBRIC  so  long?  I 
thought  thy  hypocrisy  had  been  wedded 
to  a  pulpit  cushion  long  ago. 

RUB-RUB,  phr.  (old). — '  Us'd  on 
Greens  when  the  Bowl  Flees  too 
fast,  to  have  it  forbear,  if  Words 
wou'd  do  it.' — B.  E.  (^.1696). 

RUBY, subs,  (colloquial). — i.  Blood; 
CLARET  (q.V.).  Hence  RUBY- 
FACE  =  '  a  very  red  face '  (B.  E. , 
GROSE)  ;  whence  (2)  RUBY  =  a 

GROG-BLOSSOM   (q.V.}. 

<:.i6[?].  Rox.  Ballads  [Brit.  Mus., 
C2o,  f.  7,  214],  'The  Little  Barly-Corne,' 
ii.  It  will  inrich  the  palest  face,  and  with 
RUBIES  it  adorne. 

1839.  AINSWORTH,  Jack  Sheppard, 
n.  v.  Jolly  nose,  the  bright  RUBIES  that 
garnish  thy  tip. 

1860.  Chambers'  Journal,  xiii.  348. 
The  fluid  of  which  Harvey  demonstrated 
the  circulation  in  the  human  body,  he 
speaks  of  as  'claret,'  or  'carmine,'  or 

RUBY, 


1886-9.  MARSHALL  ['Pomes,'  49], 
Honest  Bill.  You'd  be  sure  to  nark  the 
RUBY  round  his  gilt. 

1888.  Sporting  Life,  11  Dec.    Saun- 
ders  stopped  a  flush  right-hander  with  his 
organ  of  smell,  the  RUBY  duly  making  its 
appearance. 

RUCK,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  The 
mob  (B.  E.,  ^.1696) ;  whence  (2) 
=  rubbish.  Hence  TO  COME  IN 

WITH    THE    RUCK    (or   TO    RUCK 

IN)  =  to  come  in  unnoticed,  or 
(racing)  unplaced. 

1846.  Punch,  xi.  15.  Who  floored 
Sir  Robin?  .  .  .  Who  headed  the  RUCK? 
"  I,"  said  Lord  George  so  able,  Racy 
speech  and  mind  stable,  "And  I  headed 
the  RUCK." 

1857.  HOLMES,  Autocrat  of  the 
Breakfast  Table,  iv.  First  turn  in  the 
race  .  .  .  Several  shew  in  advance  of  the 

RUCK. 

1864.  Derby  Day,  18.  It  will  be 
unpleasant  for  me  if  Ascapart  is  in  the 

RUCK. 

1874.  COLLINS,  Frances,  xxiii.  I 
don't  care  for  Americans  myself,  men  or 
women  .  .  .  the  RUCK  want  educating. 

1879.  Scrib.  Mag.,  vm.  159.  He's 
stuck  up  and  citified,  and  wears  gloves  .  .  . 
and  all  that  sort  of  RUCK  [Century], 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  75. 
A  Missus  with  money,  and  RUCKS  IN  along 
o'  the  rest. 

^.1893.  BAKER,  Heart  of  Africa,  112. 
I  soon  found  myself  in  the  RUCK  of  men, 
horses,  and  drawn  swords. 

Verb,  (common). — i.  To  in- 
form; TO  SPLIT  (q.v.} ;  (2)  =  to 
turn  RUSTY  (q.v.);  and  (3)  to 
drag  or  crease. 

1884.  D.  News,  20  Sept.,  2,  2.  I 
told  the  prisoner  that  I  was  not  going  to 
RUCK  ON  an  old  pal. 

1889.  Answers,    13    Ap.,    313.      To 
such  of  their  own  fraternity  who  RUCK  or 
"blab"  upon  them,   they   most  certainly 
entertain  feelings  of  the  deepest  hatred. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  71. 
Mine  RUCKED  when  I  turned  up  in  trousers 
in  checks. 

1894.  EGERTON,  Keynotes,  177.  They 
[trousers]  RUCK  UJ*  at  the  knees. 


Ruction. 


Ruff. 


TO  RUCK  (or  RUCKET)  ALONG, 

verb.  phr.  (Oxford  University).— 
To  walk  quickly. 

RUCTION,  subs,  (common). — An  up- 
roar.— HALLIWELL  (1847). 

1833.  NEAL,  Down-Easters,  n.  14. 
Ryled,  all  over,  inside  and  out — Ryled — 

RUCTIONS. 

1884.  Echo,  19  March,  2,  3.  The 
police,  when  there  is  a  RUCTION,  drop 
quietly  over  a  wall  into  the  midst  of  the 
combatants. 

1894.  Sheffield  Daily  Telegraph,  29 
Mar.,  4,  7.  The  RUCTIONS  at  the  Freeman 
meeting  yesterday. 

1900.  WHITE,  West  End,  124. 
RUCTIONS  took  place  .  .  .  and  ...  he 
went  so  far  as  to  tell  his  wife  that  "he 
didn't  care  a  damn  what  she  did." 

RUDDER,  subs,  (venery).  —  The 
penis  :  see  PRICK.  Also  (Somer- 
set) =  copulation. 

^.1638.  CAREW,  Rapture.  My  RUDDER 
with  thy  bold  hand  .  .  .  thou  shalt  steer 
and  guide  .  .  .  into  Love's  channel. 

1760.  ROBERTSON  of  Struan,  Poems, 
95.  Sure  Venus  never  can  be  tir'd  While 
pow'rful  Mars  directs  the  RUDDER. 

RUDDOCKS  (or  RED,  or  GOLDEN, 
RUDDOCKS),  subs,  (old).— Money: 
specifically  gold  :  also  RUDDY. 
[Formerly  gold  was  convention- 
ally "  red"  ('  a  girdle  of  gold  so 
red  '  and  '  good  red  gold ' — Percy 
Rel.).]  Cf.  RIDGE  and  REDGE. 

1570.         TURBERVILLE        [CHALMER'S, 

Poets,  ii.  647].  The  greedie  carle  came 
.  .  .  and  saw  the  pot  behind  Where  RUD- 
DOCKS lay,  but  RUDDOCKS  could  not  find. 

1585.  Chaise  of  Change  \Cens.  Lite- 
raria,  ix.  435].  He  must  have  his  RED 
RUDDOCKES  ready. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Zanfrone.  Used  also  for  crownes, 
great  pieces  of  gold,  as  our  countrymen 

say  RED-RUDDOCKES. 

1600.  MUNDAY  and  DRAYTON,  Old- 
castle,  \.  2.  My  fingers'  end  do  itch  To  be 
upon  those  golden  RUDDOCKS. 


1607.  HEYWOOD,  Fair  Maid  ( Works, 
H.  277].  I  believe  they  be  little  better 
than  pirates,  they  are  so  flush  of  their 

RUDOCKS. 

RUDESBY,  subs,  (old  colloquial).— 
A  rude  boisterous  person. 
[JOHNSON  (1745)  'a  low  word.'] 

Cf.    SNEAKSBY,   IDLESBIE,  WIGS- 
BY,  &C. 

„  I593/  SHAKSPEARE,  Taming  of  the 
Shrew,  iii.  2.  A  mad-brain  RUDESBY,  full 
of  spleen.  Ibid.  (1602),  Twelfth  Night, 
iv.  i.  Be  not  offended,  dear  Cesario,— 
RUDESBY,  begone. 

RUDGE-GOWN,  subs.  (old).  —An 
outcast :  also  RUG-GOWN.  Whence 
RUG-GOWNED  =  meanly  ;  RUG- 
HEADED  =  shock-headed. 

1597-  SHAKSPEARE,  Richard  II.,  u. 
i,  156.  We  must  supplant  these  rough 
RUG-HEADED  kerns. 

1622.  FLETCHER  and  MASSINGER, 
Prophetess,  ii.  2.  I  had  rather  meet  An 
enemy  in  the  field  than  stand  thus  nodding 
Like  to  a  RUG-GOUNED  watchman. 

1654.  Witts  Recr.  [NARES].  A 
RUDG-GOWNS  ribs  are  good  to  spur  a  horse. 

RUE,  subs,  (colloquial). — Repent- 
ance :  as  RUE-QUARREL,  verb.  = 
to  repent  and  withdraw ;  RUE- 
BARGAIN  =  smart-money. 

1817.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  xxvii.  He 
said  it  would  cost  him  a  guinea  of  RUE- 
BARGAIN  to  the  man  who  had  bought  his 
pony  before  he  could  get  it  back  again. 

£•.1852.  Traits  of  Amer.  Humour,  I. 
226.  I'm  for  no  RUES  and  after-claps. 

RUFF,  subs.  (old). —'An  old- 
fashioned  double  band.' — B.  E. 
(^.1696). 

2.  (old). — A  court  card  :  hence 
TO  RUFF  =  to  trump.  [RuFF  = 
a  game  similar  to  whist,  '  in 
which  the  greatest  sorte  of  sute 
carrieth  away  the  game.' — PEELE, 
i,  211,  note.]  See  TRUMP. 

1593.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Ronfar.  A  game  at  cardes  called 
RUFFE  or  trump. 


Ruffian. 


Ruffle. 


1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Ronfie. 
Hand-RUFF  at  cards. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  xxxv. 
Miss  Bolo  would  inquire  .  .  .  why  Mr. 
Pickwick  had  .  .  .  RUFFED  the  spade,  or 
finessed  the  heart. 

3.  (old).—  See  quots. 

1592.  HARVEY,  Four  Letters.  He 
...  in  the  RUFF  of  his  greatest  jollity  was 
fain  to  cry  M.  Churchyard  a  mercy  to 
print. 

1610.  Mirr.  Mag.,  607.  In  the 
RUFFE  of  his  felicitie  ...  he  began  dis- 
daine  His  bastard  lord's  usurp'd  authority. 

4.  (racing).  —  RUFF'S  Guide  to 
the  Turf. 


THE  WOODEN 
(old).—  The  pillory. 

RUFFIAN,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  Spec,  the 
Devil  :  also  OLD  RUFFIAN. 
Whence  (2)  anyone  behaving 
roughly  or  severely  :  as  a  magis- 
trate, and  esp.  a  pimp  (see  PONCE) 
or  bawdy-house  bully,  'a  brutal 
bully  or  assassin'  (B.  E.,  ROW- 
LANDS, COLES,  GROSE),  also  a 
pugilist  all  spirit  and  no  science  ; 
and  so  forth.  Hence  as  adj.  — 
(i)  wanton  (GROSE)  ;  (2)  = 
brutal  ;  and  (3)  =  violent.  As 
verb.  —  (i)  to  pimp,  (2)  to  bully, 
and  (3)  to  maul.  Also  RUF- 
FIANLY (or  RUFFINOUS)  =  wan- 
ton, outrageous.  '  RUFFIAN  cook 
RUFFIAN,  he  scalded  the  devil 
in  his  feathers  '  (GROSE),  said  of 
a  bad  cook.  RUFFIAN'S-HALL 
t.  1679).  Cf.  ROUGH. 


£.1450.  York  Plays  [Shakspeare  Soc.], 
i.  17.  [OLIPHANT,  NewEng.,\.  288.  The 
Devil  is  spoken  of  as  RUFFYNE,  which 
perhaps  led  to  our  RUFFIAN.] 

^.1556.  UDALL  [RICHARDSON!.  Re- 
pent of  light  RUFFIANYNG  and  blasphe- 
mous carnal  gospelling. 

1567.  HARM  AN,  Caveat,  86.  Gerry 
gan,  the  RUFFIAN  clye  thee.  A  torde  in 
thy  mouth,  the  deuyll  take  thee. 


1593.  HARVEY,  Four  Letters  [Cen- 
tury]. RUFFIANLY  hair,  unseemly  apparel, 
and  more  unseemly  company. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Com.  Errors,  ii. 
135.  That  this  body,  consecrate  to  thee, 
jj/  RUFFIAN  lust  should  be  contaminate. 
Ibid.  (1598),  2  Hen.  IV.,  iii.  i,  22.  The 
winds,  Who  take  the  RUFFIAN  billows  by 
the  top.  Ibid.,  iv.  5,  125.  Have  you  a 
RUFFIAN  that  will  swear,  drink,  dance, 
Revel  in  the  night?  Ibid.  (1602).  If  it 
hath  RUFFIAN'D  so  upon  the  sea,  What 
ribs  of  oak  .  .  .  can  hold  the  mortice  ? 

1598.  FLORIO,  WorTde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Ruffiano,  a  RUFFIN,  a  swagrer,  a 
swashbuckler.  Ibid.,  Ruffb,  a  RUFIAN,  a 
ruffling  roister ;  .  .  .  also  rude,  RUFFE,  or 
rough. 

1603.  CHAPMAN,  Iliad,  vi.  456.  To 
shelter  the  sad  monument  from  all  the 
RUFFINOUS  pride  Of  storms  and  tempests. 

1609.  DEKKER,  Lanthorne  and 
Candlelight  [GROSART,  Wks.  (1886),  iii. 
203].  The  RUFFIN  cly  the  nab  of  the 
Harman  beck. 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Beggar's  Bush, 
'  Maunder's  Initiation.'  Strine  and  trine 
to  the  RUFFIN  (justice  of  peace). 

1657.  SMITH,  Sermons,  208.  She 
could  not  mince  finer  .  .  .  nor  carry  more 
trappings  about  her,  than  our  RUFFIANS 
and  wantons  do  at  this  day. 

^.1679.  BLOUNT  [HALLIWELL].  RUF- 
FIANS HALL. — So  that  part  of  Smithfield 
was  antiently  called,  which  is  now  the 
horse-market,  where  tryals  of  skill  were 
plaid  by  ordinary  RUFFIANLY  people  with 
sword  and  buckler. 

1819.  ^  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  57.  Ham- 
mering right  and  left  with  ponderous 
swing,  RUFFIAN'D  the  reeling  youngster 
round  the  ring. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  in.  ii. 
'  Not  now,  in  the  devil's  name ! '  said 
Turpin,  stamping  impatiently.  '  We  shall 
have  OLD  RUFFIN  himself  amongst  us 
presently,  if  Peter  Bradley  grows  gallant. ' 

RUFFLE,  subs.  (Old  Cant).  —  A 
handcuff  :  usually  in  //.  (GROSE, 
VAUX). 

1826.  Old  Song,  'Bobby  and  His 
Mary'  [Univ.  Songst.,  iii.  108],  And 
RUFFLES  soon  they  popped  on. 

1839.  AINSWORTH,  Jack  Shepj>ard, 
II.  ix.  '  I'll  accommodate  you  with  a  pair 
of  RUFFLES,'  and  he  proceeded  to  handcuff 
his  captive. 


Ruffler. 


Ruffmans. 


THE  RUFFLE,  subs.  phr.  (con- 
jurors').— The  flourish  to  a  trick 
at  cards :  the  deck  held  firmly  at 
the  lower  end  by  the  left  hand 
is  rapidly  manipulated  by  the 
right  hand  with  a  crackling  noise. 

See  RUFFLER. 

RUFFLER  (RUFFLE,  or  RUFFLING 
ROISTER),  subs,  (old).— i.  Spec, 
as  in  quot.  1565  (in  Statue  27 
Hen.  VIII.  =  a  sham  soldier  or 
sailor) :  whence  (2)  a  bully,  cheat, 
or  violent  or  swaggering  black- 
guard (AWDELEY,  HARMAN, 
B.  E.,  COLES,  GROSE).  RUFFLE 
(also  RUFFLER),  verb.  —  (i)  to 
plunder,  to  rob  :  spec,  with 
menaces  and  imprecations  ;  and 
(2)  to  swagger,  flaunt  it,  put  on 
SIDE  (g.v.)  or  be  turbulent  ; 
RUFFLER  Y  =  violence ;  RUFFERED 
=  boisterous  ;  and  RUFFLE  =  to 
dispute. 

c.  1537-50.  Old  Poem  [OLIPHANT,  New 
Eng.,  i.  512.  There  are  the  Dutch  words 
RUFFLE  (brag),  and  trick  up  (ornare).] 

1565.  HARMAN,  Caveat,  29.  Now 
these  RUFFLARS,  the  out  castes  of  seruing 
men,  when  begginge  or  crauinge  fayles, 
then  they  pycke  and  pylfer,  from  other 
inferiour  beggeres  that  they  meete  by  the 
waye,  as  Roages,  Pallyardes,  Mortes,  and 
Doxes.  Ibid.  A  RUFFLAR  .  .  .  wretchedly 
wanders  aboute  the  most  shyres  of  this 
realme ;  and  with  stoute  audacyte  de- 
maundeth  where  he  thinketh  he  may  be 
bolde,  and  circomspecte  ynough  as  he 
sethe  cause  to  aske  charitie. 

1579.  Mariage  of  Witt  and  Wis~ 
dome.  My  man  Lobb  Is  become  a  jolly 

RUFFLER. 

1582.  STANIHURST,  JEneid,  iii.  But 
neere  ioynctlye  brayeth  with  RUFFLERVE 
rumboled  /Etna. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Titus  And.,  \. 
2.  One  fit  to  bandy  with  thy  lawless  sons, 
And  RUFFLE  in  the  Commonwealth  of 
Rome.  Ibid.  (1605),  King  Lear,  iii.  7.  I 
am  your  host,  With  robber's  hands,  my 
hospitable  favours  You  should  not  RUFFLE 
thus.  Ibid.  (1609),  Lover's  Compl.  Some- 
time a  blusterer,  that  the  RUFFLE  knew  Of 
court  and  city. 


1598.  FLORID,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Ruffo  .  .  .  Also  a  RUFFLING  ROISTER 
or  ruffian,  a  swaggrer. 

1600.  JONSON,  Cynthia's  Revels,  iii. 
3.  Lady,  I  cannot  RUFFLE  IT  in  red  and 
yellow. 

1610.  Mirr.  for  Mag.,  473.     And 
what  the  RUFFLER  spake,  the  lout  took  for 
a  verdite,  For  there  the  best  was  worst, 
worst    best    regarded.      Ibid.,    165.      To 
Britain  over  seas  from  Rome  went  I,  To 
quaile  the  Picts,  that  RUFFLED  in  that  ile. 

1611.  MIDDLETON,    Roaring     Girl 
[DODSLEY,   Old  Plays  (REED),  vi.  108]. 
Brother  to  this  upright  man,  flesh    and 
blood,   RUFFLING  Tear-cat  is  my  name  ; 
and  a  RUFFLER  is  my  stile,  my  title,  my 
profession. 

1614.  FLETCHER,  Wit  without 
Money,  V.  3.  Can  I  not  go  about  .  .  . 
But  such  companions  as  you  must  RUFFLE 
me. 

1641.  MILTON,  Ref.  in  Eng.,  i. 
Revil'd  and  RUFFL'D  by  an  insulting  .  .  . 
Prelate. 

1712.  STEELE,  Spectator,  132.  Our 
company  was  so  far  from  being  soured  by 
this  little  RUFFLE  that  Ephraim  and  he 
took  particular  delight  in  being  agreeable 
to  each  other  for  the  future. 

1818.  SCOTT,  Midlothian,  xxv.  A 
gude  fellow  that  has  been  but  a  twelve- 
month on  the  lay,  be  he  RUFFLER  or 
padder.  Ibid.  (1821),  Kenilworth,  xiii. 
He  looked  like  a  gay  RUFFLING  serving- 
man. 

1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  xvi. 
Oh,  what  a  beast  is  a  niggardly  RUFFLER, 
Nabbing — grabbing  all  for  himself. 

1890.  Answers,  27  Dec.  In  this 
fashion  I  RUFFLED  like  a  prince  for  six 
years  on  a  regular  income  of  nothing  per 
annum. 

RUFFMANS,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— A 
hedge  :  cf.  quot.  1610  (HARMAN, 
B.  E.,  HALL,  GROSE). 

1565.  HARMAN,  Caveat,  86.  We 
wyll  fylche  some  duddes  of  the  RUFFE- 
MANS. 

1608.  DEKKER,  The  Beggars'  Curse 
[GKOSART,  Works,  iii.  203];  If  we 
mawnd  Pannam,  lap,  or  Ruff-peck,  U 
ooplars  of  yarum :  he  cuts,  bing  to  the 
RUFFMANS.  Ibid.  (1612),  O,  Per  seO 
[FARMER,  Musa  Pedestrts^tf),  12].  We 
did  creepe,  and  plant  in  RUFFE-MANS  low. 


Ruff-peck. 


Rule. 


1610.  ROWLANDS,  Martin  Mark-all, 
40  (H.  Club,  1874).    RUFFMANS,  not  the 
hedge  or  bushes  as  heretofore  :  but  now 
the  eauesing  of  houses  or  roofes  '.  Crag- 
mans  is  now  vsed  for  the  hedge. 

1611.  MIDDLETON     and     DEKKER, 
Roaring-  Girl,  v.  i.      I  woud  lib  all  the 
lightmans  .  .  .  under  the  RUFFEMANS. 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Beggar's  Bush,  iii. 
3.  To  mill  from  the  RUFFMANS  com- 
missions and  slates. 

RUFF-  PECK,  subs.  phr.  (Old  Cant). 
—Bacon.  —  HARM  AN  (1567)  ; 
RowLANDs(i6io);  HEAD  (1665); 
B.  E.  (^.1696)  ;  COLES  (1724). 

1608.  DEKKER,  The  Beggars'  Curse 
[GROSART,  Works,  iii.  203].  If  we 
maund  Pannam,  lap,  or  RUFF-PECK. 

1641.  BROME,  Jovial  Crew,  '  The 
Merry  Beggars."  Here's  RUFFPECK  and 
Casson,  and  all  of  the  best. 

1707.  SHIRLEY,  Triumph  or  Wit, 
'  Rum-Mort's  Faithless  Maunder."  RUFF- 
PECK  still  hung  on  my  back. 

RUFTY-TUFTY,  adj.  and  adv.  (old). 
—  Rough  ;  boisterous  ;  indecent. 
Also  as  intj.  —  hey-day. 

1592.  BRETON,  Pilgrimage  to  Para* 
dise,  16.  To  sweare  and  stare  until  we 
come  to  shore,  then  RIFTY-TUFTY  each  one 
to  his  skore. 

1606.  CHAPMAN,  Gentleman  Usher, 
v.  i.  Were  I  as  Vince  is,  I  would  handle 
you  In  RUFTY-TUFTY  wise. 

1606.  Wily  Beguiled  [HAWKINS, 
Eng.  Drama,  iii.  302].  RUFTY,  TUFTY, 
are  you  so  frolick  ? 

dT.i82i.  KEATS,  Cap  and  Bells,  86. 
RUFFY-TUFFY  heads  Of  cinder  wenches 
meet  and  soil  each  other. 


&s.  (venery).  —  The  female 
pudendum:  see  MONOSYLLABLE. 

RUG,    subs.    (Rugby   School).—  A 
Rugbeian. 

1892.  Evening  Standard,  25  Nov., 
4,  5.  The  controversy  was  started  by  the 
death  of  one  who  succumbed  to  his  exer- 
tions. "  An  Old  Medical  RUG  "  describes 
the  sufferings  he  endured. 

2.  (old).  —  A  sort  of  drink. 


1653.  TAYLOR,  Certaine  Travailes, 
&*c.  ^  And  ...  of  all  drinks  potable, 
RUG  is  most  puisant,  potent,  notable. 

3.  (old).  —  A  tug.  Whence  as 
verb.  —  to  pull  roughly  ;  TO  GET 
A  RUG  =  to  get  a  share  ;  to  get 

THERE  (q.V.). 

13  [?].  York  Plays,  286.  No  ruthe 
were  it  to  RUG  the  and  ryue  the  in  ropes. 

1734.  POPE,  Donne,  iv.  134.  He 
knows  .  .  .  who  GOT  his  pension  RUG. 

1814.  SCOTT,  Waverley,  xlii.  The 
gude  auld  times  of  RUGGING  and  riving  .  .  . 
are  come  back  again.  Ibid.  (1824),  Red- 
gauntlett,  xi.  Sir  John  .  .  .  voted  for 
the  Union,  having  GOTTEN  it  was  thought, 
A  RUG  OF  the  compensations. 

ALL  RUG,  phr.  (Old  Cant).  — 
All  right  ;  certain  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 

1714.  LUCAS,  Gamesters,  104.  His 
great  dexterity  of  making  ALL  RUGG  at 
Dice,  as  the  Cant  is  for  securing  a  Die 
between  two  fingers. 

See  BUG  and  RUGGINS. 
RUGE.    See  ROUGE. 

RUGGER,  subs,  (schools').  —  Foot- 
ball :  the  Rugby  game. 

1902.  /*«//  Mall  Gaz.,  2  Jan.,  9,  2. 
The  article  which,  so  far  as  figures  go, 
proves  to  the  hilt  England's  degeneracy  at 
RUGGER,  and  most  lucidly  gives  the 
reason  why. 

RUGGIN'S,  subs.  (Old  Cant).—  Bed; 
AT  RUG  =  asleep  :  e.g.,  '  the 
whole  gill  is  safe  AT  RUG  '  =  *  the 
household  are  asleep  '  (GROSE). 

1828.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  Ixxxii. 
Stash  the  lush  ...  ay,  and  toddle  off  to 
RUGGINS. 

RUIN.    See  BLUE  RUIN. 

RULE.  To  RUN  THE  RULE  OVER, 
verb.  phr.  (thieves').  —  See  quot; 
TO  FRISK 


1879.  J.  W.  HORSLEY  [Macm.  Mas;., 
xl.  504].  I  am  going  to  RUN  THE  RULE 
OVER  (search)  you. 


Rule-of -three. 


73 


Rum. 


1886.  D.  News,  30  Sept. ,  iii.  2.  When 
paraded  each  man  has  THE  RULE  RUN 
OVER  HIM,  z>.,  searched. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  He  Slumbered 
['Pomes,'  1 1 8].  A  lady  .  .  .  RAN  THE 
RULE  through  all  His  pockets  for  her  cheek 
was  fairly  tall. 

RULE-OF-THREE  (THE),  Subs.  pkr. 

(venery). — i.  The/£»ir  andtestes; 
and (2) copulation:  cf.  ADDITION, 
MULTIPLICATION,  and  SUB- 
TRACTION. 

c.1720.  DURFEY,  Pills,  &=c.,  vi.  329. 
This  accountant  will  come  without  e'er  a 
Fee,  And  warrants  a  Boy  by  his  RULE  OF 
THREE. 

RULE  OF  THUMB,  subs.  pkr.  (col- 
loquial). —  A  rough-and-ready 
way  :  practical  rather  than  exactly 
scientific  (GROSE). 

1809.  SYDNEY  SMITH,  To  Francis 
Jeffrey,  3  Sep.  We'll  settle  men  and  things 

by  RULE  OF  THUMB. 

1864.  D.  Review,  17  Oct.  The  result, 
we  trust,  will  exemplify  the  value  of  Science 
versus  RULE  OF  THUMB  in  politics. 

RUM  (ROME,  ROOKIE,  or  RAM), 
adj.  (Old  Cant). — I.  A  generic 
appreciative ;  good  ;  fine ;  clever ; 
excellent ;  strong,  &c.  :  cf.  sense 
2  and  QUEER;  RUMLY  =  bravely, 
cleverly,  delicately.  Thus  RUM- 
BEAK  (or  -BECK)  =  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  ;  RUM-BING  (or -BUNG) 
=  a  full  purse ;  RUM-BIT  (or 
-BITE)  =  (i)  a  clever  rogue,  and 
(2)  a  smart  trick ;  RUM  BLEATING- 
CHEAT  =  a  fat  wether  ;  RUM- 
BLOWEN  (or  -BLOWER)  =  a  hand- 
some mistress  ;  RUM-BLUFFER  = 
a  jolly  host ;  RUM-BOB  =  (i)  a 
young  apprentice,  (2) .  a  clever 
trick,  and  (3)  a  smart  wig  ;  RUM- 
BOOZE  (-BOUSE,  -BUSE,  -BUZE,  Or 

BOUZE)  =  (i)  wine,  or  (2)  good 
liquor  of  divers  kinds  ;  RUM- 
BOOZING-WELT  =  a  bunch  of 
grapes  ;  RUM-BUBBER  =  a  good 
thief;  RUM-BUFFER  (or -BUGHER) 


=  a  valuable  dog  ;  RUM-CHANT 
=  a  good  song  ;  RUM-CHUB  = 
(butchers')  an  ignorant  buyer; 
RUM-CLANK  =  a  gold  or  silver 
cup ;  RUM-CLOUT  (or  WIPE)  = 
a  silk  handkerchief;  RUM -COD  = 
(i)  a  full  purse,  and  (2)  a  large 
sum  of  money ;  RUM-COLE  =  new 
money  ;  RUM-COVE  (or  -CULL)  = 
(i)  a  clever  rogue,  (2)  a  rich 
man,  (3)  a  lover,  and  (4)  an 
intimate :  also  RUM-CULL  (theatri- 
cal) =  a  manager,  or  boss ;  RUM- 
DEGEN  (-TOL,  Or  -TILTER)  =  a 

splendid  sword  ;  RUM  -  DELL 
(-DOXY  or  -MORT)  =  a  handsome 
whore  ;  RUM-DIVER  =  a  clever 
pickpocket  ;  RUM -DRAWERS  = 
silk  stockings  ;  RUM -DROPPER  = 
a  vintner;  RUM-DUKE  =  (i)  a 
handsome  man,  (2)  a  jolly  com- 
panion, and  (3)  see  quot.  1696 
and  also  sense  2  ;  RUM- 
DUCHESS  =  a  handsome  woman ; 

RUM-DUBBER     (or      -FILE)  =  an 

expert  picklock  ;  RUM-FAM  (or 
FEM)  =  a  diamond  ring ;  RUM- 
FUN  =  a  clever  fraud ;  RUM-GELT 
(or  -GILT)  =  new  money ;  RUM- 
GILL  =  (i)  a  clever  thief,  and  (2) 
a  handsome  man  ;  RUM-GAGGER 
=  a  whining  beggar  ;  RUM- 
GLYMMER  =  a  chief  link-boy  ; 
RUM  -  GOING  =  fast  trotting  ; 
RUM-GUTLERS  =  canary  ;  RUM- 
HOPPER  =  an  innkeeper  ;  RUM- 
KICKS  =  silver  or  gold-braided 
breeches ;  RUM-KEN  =  a  popular 
inn  or  brothel ;  RUM-KIN  =  a 
large  mug ;  RUM-MAUNDER  =  a 
clever  beggar  ;  RUM-MIZZLER  = 
a  thief  expert  at  CLEARING  (q.v. ) ; 
RUM-MORT  =  a  lady  ;  RUM-ONE 
=  a  settling  blow  ;  RUM-NAB  = 
a  good  hat  ;  RUM  -  NANTZ  = 
brandy ;  RUM  NED  =  a  rich  fool ; 
RUM-PAD  =  the  highway  ;  RUM- 
PADDER  =  a  highwayman;  RUM- 
PEEPER  =  a  silver  looking-glass  ; 
RUM-PECK  =  good  food  ;  RUM- 


Rum. 


Rum. 


PRANCER  =  a  fine  horse  ;  RUM- 
QUIDDS  =  a  large  booty ;  RUM- 
RUFFPECK  =  Westphalian  ham  ; 
RUM-SQUEEZE  =  fiddlers'  drink 
in  plenty  ;  RUM-SNITCH  =  a  hard 
blow  on  the  nose  ;  RUM-TOPPING 
=  a  rich  head-dress  ;  RUM-VILLE 
=  London. — AWDELEY  (1560)  ; 
HARM  AN  (1567)  ;  ROWLANDS 
(1610)  ;  HEAD  (1665) ;  B.  E. 
(^.1696) ;  COLES  (1724) ;  BAILEY 
(1726);  PARKER  (1781);  GROSE 
(1785) ;  VAUX(i8i2);  BEE(i823). 
1567.  HARMAN,  Caveat,  86.  Byng 

We  tO  ROME-VYLE. 

1607.  DEKKER,  Jests  to  make  you 
Merie  m  Wks.  (GROSART),  n.  308.  A 
RUM  COVES  BUNG  (so  called  in  their  canting 
vse  of  speech)  (and  as  much  as  to  say  in 
ours,  a  rich  chuffes  purse). 

1610.  ROWLANDS,  Martin  Mark- A II, 
'Toure    Out   Ben   Morts.'     For   all    the 
ROME  COUES  are  budgd  a  beake.    Ibid. 
The  quire  coves  are  budgd  to  the  bowsing 
ken  As  ROMELY  as  a  ball. 

1611.  MIDDLETON     and    DEKKER, 
Roaring-  Girl,   v.    i.     So  my  bousy  nab 
might  skew  ROME  BOUSE. 

1612.  DEKKER,   O  per  se  O,   '  Bing 
Out,  Bien  Morts.'    On  chates  to  trine,  by 
ROME-COUES  dine  for  his  long  lib  at  last. 
Ibid.     Bingd  out  bien  morts,  and  toure, 
and  toure,   bing  out  of  the  ROME-VILE  ; 
.  .  .  And  Jybe   well    lerkt,   tick    ROME- 

COMFECK. 

1641.  BROME,  Jovial  Crew,  '  Morts' 
Drinking  Song.'  This  bowse  is  better 
than  ROM-BOWSE. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  n.  i. 
Note.  Piot  a  common  cant  word  used  by 
French  clowns  and  other  tippling  com- 
panions ;  it  signifies  RUM-BOOZE  as  our 
gypsies  call  good-guzzle. 

1656.  BLOUNT,  Gloss.,  538.  RAM- 
BUZE.  A  compound  drink  at  Cambridge, 
and  is  commonly  made  of  eggs,  ale,  wine, 
and  sugar  ;  but  in  summer,  of  milk,  wine, 
sugar,  and  rose-water. 

1664.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie  (ist 
ed.),  108.    With  that  she  set  it  to  her  Nose, 
And  off  at  once  the  RUMKIN  goes. 

1665.  HEAD,  Eng.  Rogue  [RIBTON- 
TURNER,  621].    We  straight  took  ourselves 
to  the  Boozing  ken  ;  and   having  bubb'd 
RUMLY,  we  concluded  an  everlasting  friend- 
ship. 


i688.  SHADWELL,  So.  of  Alsatia.  ii. 
{Works  (1720),  iv.  47].  Belf.  Sen.  .  .  . 
Here's  a  nabb  !  you  never  saw  such  a  one 
in  your  life.  Cheat.  A  RUM  NABB  :  it  is  a 
beaver  of  £5. 

£.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew, 
passim.  Also,  more  particularly,  s.v. 
RUM-DUKES,  c.  the  boldest  or  stoutest 
Fellows  (lately)  amongst  the  Alsatians, 
Minters,  Savoyards,  &*c.  Sent  for  to 
remove  and  guard  the  Goods  of  such 
Bankrupts  as  intended  to  take  Sanctuary 
in  those  Places.  Ibid.,  s.v.  PECK.  The 
Gentry  Cove  tipt  us  RUM  PECK  and  rum 
Gutlers,  till  we  were  all  Bowsy,  and  snapt 
all  the  Flickers. 

1 706.  F  ARQU  H  AR,  Recruiting  Office* , 
ii.  3.     You  are  a  justice  of  peace,  and  you 
are  a  king,  and  I  am  a  duke,  and  a  RUM 
DUKE,  a'n't  I  ? 

1707.  SHIRLEY,    Triumph   of  Wit, 
'Rum-Mort's    Praise    of    Her    Faithless 
Maunder.'      By  the  RUM-PAD  maundeth 
none,  .  .  .  Like  my  clapper-dogeon. 

1724.  HARPER,  in  Harlequin  Shep- 
pard,  'Frisky  Moll's  Song.'  I  Frisky 
Moll,  with  my  RUM  COLL. 

1760.  Old  Song,  'Come  All  You 
Buffers  Gay '  [  The  Humourist,  2].  Come 
all  you  buffers  gay,  That  RUMLY  do  pad 
the  city.  Ibid.  If  after  a  RUM  CULL  you 
pad. 

1781.  PARKER,  View  of  Society,  n. 
174.  RUM-MIZZLERS.  Fellows  who  are 
clever  in  making  their  escape.  Ibid. 
(^.1789),  Cantata,  'The  Sandman's  Wed- 
ding.' For  he's  the  kiddy  RUM  and  queer. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  76.  The 
brandy  and  tea,  rather  thinnish,  That 
knights  of  the  RUMPAD  so  rurally  sip. 
Ibid.  Thus  RUMLY  floored. 

c.  1819.  Song, '  The  Young  Prig '  [FAR- 
MER, Musa  Pedestris  (1896),  83.  But  my 
RUM-CHANTS  ne'er  fail,  sirs ;  The  dubs- 
man's  senses  to  engage. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  ii.  iii. 
From  a  RUM  KEN  we  bundled. 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
ii.  6.  Now,  your  honours,  here's  the  RUM 
PECK,  here's  the  supper. 

1825.  JONES,  Old  Song,  '  The  True 
Bottom'd  Boxer'  [Univ.  Songst.,  ii.  96]. 
Spring's  the  boy  for  RUM  GOING  and  coming 
it.  Ibid.  You'll  find  him  a  RUM-'UN,  try 
on  if  you  can. 


Rum. 


75 


Rumble. 


1830.  MONCRIEFF,  Heart  of  London, 
ii.  i.  We  frisk  so  RUMMY.  Ibid.  We 
chaunt  so  RUMMY.  Ibid.,  i.  2.  Good 
night,  my  RUM-'UNS.  Ibid.,  i.  i.  RUMMY 
Spitalfields  wipes. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood (1864), 
180.  RUM  GILLS  and  Queer  Gills,  Patricos, 
Palliards,  &c.  Ibid.,  60.  With  them  the 
best  RUMPADS  of  England  are  not  to  be 
named  the  same  day  !  Ibid. ,  199.  I  want 
a  little  ready  cash  in  RUMVILLE — beg 
pardon,  ma'am,  London  I  mean.  Ibid., 
190.  I  know  you  can  throw  off  a  RUM 
CHANT  ...  I  heard  you  sing  last  night  at 
the  hall. 

1844.  SELBY,  London  by  Night,  \.  2. 
What's  in  the  wind,  my  RUM  CULL. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  i. 
341.  Not  one  swell  in  a  score  would  view 
it  in  any  light  than  a  REAM  concern. 

1886.      STEPHENS  and     YARDLEY, 

Little  Jack  Sheppard,  37.     Farewell  to 

Old  England  for  ever,  Farewell  to   my 
RUM  CULLS  as  well. 

2.  (common).  —  In  modern 
slang  (by  inversion)  RUM  =  in- 
different ;  bad  ;  questionable  ; 
odd  :  as  adj.  RUMMY  (or  RUMLY). 
Whence  (3)  RUM  =  anybody  or 
anything  odd  or  singular  in  habit, 
appearance,  £c.  ;  RUM-NED  =  a 
silly  fellow  (B.  E.);  RUM  DUKE 
=  a  half-witted  churl  (but  see 
sense  i) ;  TO  COME  IT  RUM  =  to 
act  (or  talk)  strangely. 

1729.  SWIFT,  Grand  Question  De- 
bated. A  rabble  of  tenants  and  rusty  dull 
RUMS. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
155.  Well  said,  Ulysses,  cries  the  king  (A 
little  touch'd  tho'  with  the  sting  Of  this 
RUM  speech). 

17  [?].  Old  Song  {N.  &>  Q.,  7  S.,  ix. 
97.  Although  a  RUMMY  codger,  Now  list 
to  what  I  say. 

1781.  PARKER,  View  of  Society,  i. 
48.  '  Blow  me  up  (says  he)  if  I  have  had 
a  fellow  with  such  RUM  TOGGYS  cross  my 
company  these  many  a  day.' 

1803.  SHARPE  [Correspondence  (1888), 
i.  18].  They  were  angry  with  RUMS,  they 
were  troubl'd  with  bores. 

1812-15.  NICHOLS,  Lit.  Anee. ,  v.  471. 
The  books  which  booksellers  call  RUMS 
appear  to  be  very  nnmerous,  ...  yet 
they  are  not  really  so. 


1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  '  Jack 
Holmes  s  Song.'  Some  wonder,  too,  the 
tits  that  pull  This  RUM  concern  along,  so 
full. 

1829.  SOMERSET,    Day    After  the 
Fair.     Well,  dang  it !  though  she's  a  RUM 
one  to  look  at,  she's  a  good  one  to  go. 

1836.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  xvl 
"  You're  a  RUM  'un  to  look  at,  you  are," 
thought  Mr.  Weller. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends 
(Hamilton  Tighe).  And  the  neighbours 
say,  as  they  see  him  look  sick,  "What  a 
RUM  old  covey,  is  Hairy-faced  Dick  ! " 

1877.  BESANT  and  RICE,  Son  of 
Vulcan,  ii.  xxvii.  How  much?  It's  a 
RUMMY  ramp— but  how  much? 

1882.  ANSTEY,  Vice-Versa,  xi. 
There's  young  Tom  on  the  box ;  don't  his 
ears  stick  out  RUMMILY  ? 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  i.  What  a  RUM  thing  a  man 
should  laugh  when  he's  only  got  twenty- 
nine  days  more  to  live. 

1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack  Room 
Ballads,  '  Route  Marchin'.'  There's  that 
RUMMY  silver  grass. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  v. 
RUMMY  lot  dahn  there. 

RUMBLE,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  A 
seat  for  servants  at  the  back  of  a 
carriage  :  also  RUMBLE-TUMBLE 
(which  likewise  [GROSE  and 
VAUX])  =  a  stage  coach.  See 
DICKEY  and  quot.  1830. 

1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  xxy. 
His  favourite  servant  sat  in  the  dickey  in 
frpnt  (RUMBLE-TUMBLES  not  being  then  in 
use).    Ibid.   (1858),    What  Will  He  Do, 
S*c.,  i.  15.     From  the  dusty  height  of  a 
RUMBLE-TUMBLE  .  .  .  Vance  caught  sight 
of  Lionel  and  Sophy. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair,  xiv. 
A  discontented  female  in  a  green  veil  and 
crimped  curls  on  the  RUMBLE. 

Verb.    (old).  —  To     try  ;     to 
search  ;   to  handle. 

1821.  HAGGART,  Life,  14.  I  was 
RUMBLING  the  cloys  of  the  twigs. 

1 886-96.  MARSHALL,  Beautiful 
Dreamer  ['  Pomes,'  65].  I  RUMBLED  the 
tip  as  a  matter  of  course. 


Rumbler. 


Rumford. 


1898.  Pink  'Un  and  Pelican,  209. 
I  soon  RUMBLED  he  was  in  it  when  I  heard 
Bull  givin'  him  the  '  me  lord  '  for  it. 

RUMBLER,  subs.  (old). — A  hackney 
coach.  Hence  RUMBLER'S- 
FLUNKEY  =  (i)  a  footman  and 
(2)  a  cab-runner ;  RUNNING- 
RUMBLER  =  a  carriage  thief  s 
confederate. 

c.\8i6.  MAKER,  Song,  'The  Night 
Before  Larry  was  Stretched.'  The 
RUMBLER  jugg'd  off  from  his  feet,  And  he 
died  with  his  face  to  the  city. 

c.i8ig.  Old  Song,  'The  Young  Prig' 
[FARMER,  Musa  Pedestris  (1896),  82].  I 
first  held  horses  in  the  street,  But  being 
found  defaulter,  Turned  RUMBLER'S 
FLUNKEY  for  my  meat. 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
ii.  4.  A  rattler  ...  is  a  RUMBLER,  other- 
wise a  jarvey,  better  known,  perhaps,  by 
the  name  of  a  rack. 

RUMBLING,  subs.  (Old  Cant:  now 
recognised).  —  '  The  rolling  of 
Thunder,  motion  of  a  Wheel- 
barrow, or  the  noise  in  the  Gutts.' 
— B.  E.  (^.1696). 

RUM -BLOSSOM  (or  -BUD),  subs, 
phr.  (common). — A  nasal  pirn  pie  : 
cf.  GROG-BLOSSOM. 

1889.  BUSH,  Effects  of  Ardent 
Spirits.  Redness  and  eruptions  generally 
begin  with  the  nose  .  .  .  they  have  been 
called  RUM-BUDS,  when  they  appear  in  the 
face. 

RUM  BO,  subs. — i.  Rum  grog  :  also 

RUMBULLION  and  RUMBOWLING  : 
cf.  RUM-BOOZE  (GROSE). 

1651.  MS.  Descrip.  o)  Barbadoes 
{.Academy,  5  Sep.,  1885,  155].  The  chief 
fudling  they  make  in  the  island  is  RUM- 
BULLION, alias  Kill-Divil,  and  this  is  made 
of  sugar  canes  distilled. 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Per.  Pickle,  ii.  He 
and  my  good  master  .  .  .  come  hither 
every  evening,  and  drink  a  couple  of  cans 
of  RUMBO  a-piece.  Ibid.  (1762),  Sir  L. 
Greaves,  i.  i.  Three  of  the  travellers  .  .  . 
agreed  to  pass  the  time  .  .  .  over  a  bowl 

Of  RUMBO. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Pirate,  xxxix.  Regal- 
ing themselves  with  a  can  of  RUMBO. 


1885.  D.  News,  12  August,  5,  2. 
When  sailors  speak  of  their  grog  as  RUM 
BOWLING  the  expression  is  really  a  survival 
of  the  old  word  [i.e.,  RUMBULLION,  sup- 
posed to  be  the  original  name  of  "  Rum," 
and  of  which  the  taller  is  a  corruption]. 

2.    (old).  —  A     prison  :     also 

RUMBO-KEN. 


3.  (dockyard).  —  Stolen 
(CLARK  RUSSELL). 


rope 


Adi.  (old).— Good  ;  plenty. 

1870.  HAZLEWOOD  and  WILLIAMS, 
Leave  it  to  Me,  i.  Fifty  pounds !  Oh, 
what  a  coal  and  tater  shop  I  will  have. 
...  Is  that  RUMBO?  (holds  out  his  hand). 

1876.  HINDLEV,  Cheap  Jack,  192. 
Mo  exclaimed  to  his  man,  '  Chuck  RUMBO 
(eat  plenty),  my  lad.' 

1895.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  21  Dec.,  8,  i. 
But  if  the  carts  are  all  RUMBO,  and  the 
'orses  was  all  RUMBO,  and  there  was  no 
tickets  and  no  jumpers. 

RUMBO-KEN,  subs.  phr.  (old). — i. 
A  pawnbroker's  shop. 

2.    (old).  —  A     prison  :    also 
RUMBO. 

1724.  HARPER  [Harlequin  Sheppard, 
'  Frisky  Moll's  Song '].  But  filing  of  a 
RUMBO  KEN,  My  Boman  is  snabbled  again. 

RUMBOWLINE    (or    RAM  BOWLINE), 

subs,  (nautical). — i.  Condemned 
stores  :  rope,  canvas,  &c.  ; 
whence  (2)  anything  inferior  or 
deteriorated  :  as  adj.  —  adul- 
terated. 

See  RUMBO. 

RUMBUSTICATE,  verb,  (venery). — 
To  copulate :  see  GREENS  and 
RIDE. 

RUMFORD.  To  RIDE  TO  ROMFORD, 
verb.  phr.  (old). — To  get  new 
breeched.  [GROSE  :  '  Rumford 
was  formerly  a  famous  place  for 
leather  breeches  :  a  like  saying  is 
current  of  Bungay.']  Also  see 
quot. 


Rum-gagger. 


77 


Rum-Johnny. 


1708-10.  SWIFT,  Pol.  Conv.,  ii.  One 
may  RIDE  TO  RUMFORD  upon  this  knife,  it 
is  so  blunt. 


RUM-GAGGER,  subs.  phr.  (nautical). 
— *A  sailor  who  begs'  (CLARK 
RUSSELL). 

RUMGUMPTION,        RUMBUMPTION, 

&c.,  subs,  and  adj.  (common). — 
A  class  of  colloquialisms  com- 
pounded with  an  intensive  prefix  : 
(i)  RAM  (imitatively  varied  by 
RUM)  =  very,  strong  ;  and  (2) 
RUM  (q.v.)  =  good,  fine,  &c.  : 
also  cj.  RAMP  as  in  RAMPAGEOUS. 

Thus  RAMBUNCTIOUS  (or  RAM- 
BUSTious)  =  noisy,  '  high-and- 
mighty ' ;  RAMBUSTION  =  a  row  ; 
RAMBUMPTIOUS  =  conceited,  self- 
assertive  (GROSE)  ;  RUMBUMP- 
TION  =  conceit,  cock-sure-ness  ; 
RUMGUMPTION  =  mother  -  wit  ; 
RAMGUMPTIOUS  =  shrewd,  bold, 
rash  (GROSE)  ;  RAMFEEZLED  = 
exhausted  ;  RAMBUSKIOUS  = 
rough;  RAMGUNSCHOCH  =  rough; 
RAMSHACKLE  =  ricketty,  crazy. 
Substantives  are  similarly  formed  : 

e.g.,  RAMBUNCTION,  RAMBUMP- 
TION,  RAMGUMPTION,  &C.,  whilst 

such  variants  as  RUMMEL-FUMP- 

TION,  RUMBLE-GUMPTION,  RUM- 

STRUGENOUS,  and  the  like  are 
coined  at  will.  Also  RUMBUS- 
TICATOR  =  a  man  of  means,  and 
RAMSTAM  =  a  headlong  fool,  and 
as  adj.  =  deliberately  or  undi- 
lutedly  silly. 

1768.  Ross,  Helenore,  '  Beattie's 
Address."  They  need  not  try  thy  jokes  to 
fathom,  They  want  RUMGUMPTION. 

1778.  FOOTE,  Trip  to  Calais,  \.  The 
sea  has  been  rather  RUMBUSTIOUS,  I  own. 

^.1796.    BURNS,  To  James  Smith,    The 
hairum-scairum,  RAM-STAM  boys. 

1817.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  xxviii,  If  we 
gang  RAM-STAM  in  on  them  [we'll  get]  a 
broken  head  to  learn  us  better  havings. 


1819.  T.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib's 
Memorial,  3.  Has  thought  of  a  plan, 
which  —  excuse  his  presumption  —  He 
hereby  submits  to  your  Royal  RUMGUMP- 

TION. 

1822.  HOGG,  Perils  of  Man,  \.  78. 
Ye  sud  hae  stayed  at  hame,  an'  wantit  a 
wife    till    ye    gathered    mair     RUMMEL- 

GUMPTION. 

1823.  GALT,  Entail,  in.  70.    Wattie 
is  a  lad  of  a  methodical  nature,  and  no  a 
hurly-burly  RAM-STAM. 

1823.  LOCKHART,  Reg.  Dalton,  i. 
199.  This  will  learn  you  again  ye  young 

RAMSHACKLE. 

1844.  SURTEES,  Hillingdon  Hall,  v. 
21.  The  RUMBUSTICAL  apologies  for  great 
coats  that  have  inundated  the  town  of  late 
years. 

1847.  PORTER,  Big  Bear,  120.  He's 
as  RAMSTUGENOUS  an  animal  as  a  log-cabin 
loafer  in  the  dog-days. 

1847.  G.  ELIOT  [Life  (1885),  i.  168]. 
All  those  monstrous  ROMBUSTICAL  beasts 
with  their  horns. 

1847.  THACKERAY,  Cane-Bottom'a 
Chair,  st.  5.  And  'tis  wonderful,  surely, 
what  music  you  get  From  the  rickety, 
RAMSHACKLE,  wheezy  spinet. 

1850.  SMEDLEY,  Frank  Fairlegh, 
ix.  He  boldly  inquired  whether  ..."  I 
had  not  been  a-enhaling  laughing  gas,  or 
any  sich  RUM-BUSTICAL  wegitable  ?  " 

1853.  LYTTON,  My  Novel,  xi.  xix. 
As  for  that  white-whiskered  alligator  .  .  . 
let  me  get  out  of  those  RAMBUSTIOUS,  un- 
christian, filbert-shaped  claws  of  his. 

1860.  DICKENS,  Uncommercial 
Traveller,  xviii.  The  RAMSHACKLE  yet- 
turino  carriage  in  which  I  was  departing. 

1882.  Atheneeum,    i   Ap.      A  RAM- 
SHACKLE wagon,  rough  men,  and  a  rougher 
landscape. 

1883.  CLEMENS,  Life  on  Mississippi, 
xlviii.     Strung  along  below  the  city,  were 
a    number    of    decayed,    RAM-SHACKLY, 
superannuated  old  steamboats. 

RUM-HOLE,  subs.  phr.  (American). 
— A  grog-shop  :  see  LUSH-CRIB. 

RUM-HOMEE    (or     -OMER)    OF 

THE  CASE.    See  OMER. 

RUM-JOHNNY,  subs.  phr.  (Anglo- 
Indian).  —  i.  A  native  wharf 
laborer. 


Rumkin. 


Rumpus. 


2.    (naval    and    military). — A 
prostitute :  see  TART. 

RUMKIN,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  drink- 
ing vessel. 

1636.  DAVENANT,  TJte  Wits,  iv.  2. 
Wine  ever  flowing  in  large  Saxon  ROME- 
KINS  About  my  board. 

2.  (old). — A  tailless  fowl. 
RUMLY  (or  ROMELY).    See  RUM. 

RUMMAGE,  verb,  (venery).  —  To 
grope  (or  possess)  a  woman  ;  TO 

FIRKY-TOODLE  (q.V.). 

RUMMY.    See  RUM. 

RUM-MILL,  subs.  phr.  (American). 
— A  grog-shop  ;  a  LUSH-CRIB 
(q.v.). 

RUMP,  subs,  (vulgar). — I.  The  pos- 
teriors :  see  BUM.  Hence  as  verb 
—  (i)  to  slight;  (2)  to  FART  AT 
(q.v.) ;  (3)  to  SHIT  ON  (q.v.) ;  (4) 
to  flog  (VAUX,  1812),  and  (5) 
(venery)  to  copulate  ;  whence 
LOOSE  IN  THE  RUMP  =  wanton ; 
RUMP-SPLITTER  =  (i)  ti\t penis  : 
see  PRICK  ;  and  (2)  a  whore- 
master.  Also  subs.  (2)  =  fag 
end  :  spec,  (political)  the  remnant 
of  the  Long  Parliament  after 
Pride's  Purge  (1653)  ;  whence 
RUMPER  =  a  Long  Parliamen- 
tarian. Again  RUMP  (3)  =  a  whore; 
RUMPER = a  whoremaster;  RUMP- 
WORK  =  copulation  ;  and  verb.  — 

tO     possess,     tO     FUCK-BUTTOCK. 

'  He  hath  eaten  the  hen's  RUMP  ' 
(RAY),  said  of  a  person  full  of 
talk. 


about  the  stack,   Robin  laid   me  on  my 
back,  Robin  he  made  my  RUMP  to  crack. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  xi. 
Some  of  the  women  would  give  these 
names  .  .  .  my  crimson  chitterlmg,  RUMP- 
SPLITTER,  shove-devil. 


1660.  PEPYS,    Diary,    7   Mar.      Sir 
Arthur  appeared  at  the  House  ;  what  was 
done  I   know  not,  but  there  was  all  the 
RUMPERS  almost  come  to  the  House  to-day. 

1661.  Old  Song,    'There  was   three 
Birds'  [FARMER,  Merry  Songs  and  Bal- 
lads (1807),  i.  141].     There  was  three  birds 
that  built  on  a  stump,  The  first  and  the 
second  cry'd,  have  at  her  RUMP,  The  third 
he  went  merrily  in  and  in. 

1662.  The  Rump  [Title]. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Pol.  Cpnv.t  Int. 
The  art  of  blasphemy  or  free-thinking  .  .  . 
first  brought  in  by  the  fanatic  faction  .  .  . 
and  .  .  .  carried  to  Whitehall  by  the  con- 
verted RUMPERS. 

1711.  DURFET,  The  Fart  [Pills  to 
Purge  (1719),  i.  28].  Gave  a  proof  she 

Was   LOOSE    IN   HER   RUMP. 

1807.  SOUTHEY,  Letters,  iv.  501. 
An  old  friend  RUMPED  him,  and  he  winced 
under  it. 

1814.  COLEMAN,  Poetical  Vagaries, 
129  [2nd  ed.].  He  RUMPS  us  quite,  and 
won't  salute  us. 

RUMP-AND-DOZEN,  subs.phr.  (old). 
— An  Irish  wager  :  i.e.,  'A  rump 
of  beef  and  a  dozen  of  claret' 
(GROSE). 

RUMP-AND-KlDNEY  MEN,  subs, 
phr.  (old).—'  Fidlers  that  Play 
at  Feasts,  Fairs,  Weddings,  &c., 
And  Live  chiefly  on  the  Rem- 
nants, or  Victuals'  (B.  E., 
GROSE). 

RUMP-AND-STUMP,  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— Entirely ;  completely. 

RUMPTY,  subs.  (Stock  Exchange). — 
The  thirty-second  part  of  a  pound 
sterling  ;  a  TOOTH  (q.v.). 

RUMPUS,  subs,  (common). — (i)  A 
row  ;  a  noise  ;  a  disturbance  : 
also  as  verb,  and  adj.  (GROSE)  ; 
(2)=a  masquerade  (VAUX,  1812). 

1763.  FOOTE,  Mayor  of  Garratt,  ii. 
2.  Oh  Major  1  such  a  riot  and  RUMPUS  ! 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  6.  And, 
setting  in  case  there  should  come  such  a 
RVMPUS. 


Rum-slim. 


79 


Run. 


1830.  BUCKSTONE,  Wreck  Ashore,  \. 
2.  There  never  shall  be  no  disgraceful 
RUMPUSSES,  now  I'm  come  into  power. 

1850.  STOWE,  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin, 
xxiv.  And  Marie  routed  up  Mammy 
nights,  and  RUM  FUSSED  and  scolded. 

1876.  ELIOT,  Daniel  Deronda,  xii. 
She  is  a  young  lady  with  a  will  of  her  own, 
I  fancy.  Extremely  well-fitted  to  make  a 

RUMPUS. 

RUM-SLIM  (or  RUM-SLUM),  subs. 
phr.  (old).—  Punch. 

1789.  GEO.  PARKER,  Life's  Painter, 
162.  Bobstick  of  RUM  SLIM.  That  is,  a 
shilling's  worth  of  punch. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London^  I.  131. 
He  was  up  to  the  RUM-SLUM. 

RUM-SUCKER,   subs.  phr.   (Ameri- 
can). —  A    toper;  LUSHINGTON 


1858.     New  York   Tribune,   g  July 
An  acquired  appetite  as  strong  as  that  of  a 

RUM-SUCKER. 


RUM  TOM  PAT,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
A  clergyman. 

1781.  PARKER,  Variegated  Charac- 
ters. ' '  What,  are  Moll  and  you  adamed  ?  " 
"Yes,  we  are,  and  by  a  RUM  TOM  PAT 
too." 

RUMTITUM,  adj.  (old). — '  On  prime 
twig,  in  fine  order  or  condition  : 
a  flash  term  for  a  game  bull  ' 
(GROSE). 

RUM-UN.     See  RUM. 

RUN,  subs,  and  verb.  phrs.  (collo- 
quial).— Generic  for  freedom  or 
continuance.  Thus  (subs.  phrs. ), 
RUN  (OF  DICE,  CARDS,  or  LUCK) 

=  a  spell  or  period  of  good  or 
bad  fortune ;  RUN  (of  a  play, 
book,  fashion,  &c.)  =  the  course 
of  representation,  sale,  popularity; 
THE  RUN  OF  THINGS  =  the  state 
of  affairs  ;  THE  RUN  OF  A 
PLACE  =  freedom  of  range ;  THE 


RUN  OF  ONE'S  TEETH  (or  KNIFE 
AND  FORK )  =  victuals  for  nothing; 
A  RUN  ON  A  BANK  =  a  steady 
call,  through  panic,  on  its  re- 
sources ;  CATTLE-RUN  =  a  farm 
where  cattle  roam  at  will  ;  A 

RUN     TO    TOWN    (or    INTO    THE 

COUNTRY)  =  a  trip  ;  TO  HAVE 
(or  LOSE)  THE  RUN  =  to  lose 
sight  of;  TO  GET  (or  HAVE)  THE 
RUN  ON  =  (i)  to  turn  a  joke  on, 
and  (2)  to  have  the  upper  hand ; 
TO  HAVE  A  RUN  =  (i)  to  take  a 

Walk,  a  CONSTITUTIONAL  (y.V.)  ; 
(2)  to  get  an  opportunity :  see 
P.P.  ;  and  (3)  to  make  a  fight 
for  anything  ;  TO  RUN  =  to 
manage ;  TO  RUN  A  BLUFF  = 
to  carry  things  with  a  high 
hand  ;  TO  RUN  A  BUCK  (see 

BUCK)  J     TO     RUN    FOR    OFFICE 

(PARLIAMENT,  CONGRESS,  &c.) 
=  to  start  as  a  candidate ;  TO 
RUN  A  RIG  =  to  play  a  trick  ;  TO 

RUN   A    CHANCE    (or    RISK)  =  to 

take  the  odds;  TO  RUN  A  TILT 
AT  =  to  attack  ;  TO  RUN  THE 
CUTTER  =  to  smuggle ;  TO  RUN 
AN  EYE  OVER  =  (i)  to  glance  at; 
TO  RUN  THE  GAUNTLET  (see 

GAUNTLET)  ;  TO  RUN  ACROSS  = 
to  meet  casually ;  TO  RUN  AFTER 
=  to  court ;  TO  RUN  AGAINST  = 
(i)  to  come  in  collision  with,  (2) 
to  calumniate,  (3)  to  attack,  and 
(4)  to  meet  casually ;  TO  RUN 
AMUCK  (see  AMUCK)  ;  TO  RUN 
AWAY  WITH  =  (i)  to  elope,  (2) 
to  steal;  TO  RUN  AWAY  WITH  A 
NOTION  =  to  be  over  credulous ; 

TO     RUN     BIG  =  to     be    OUt    of 

training;  TO  RUN  COUNTER  =to 
oppose  ;  TO  RUN  DOWN  =  to 
pursue,  depreciate,  attack ;  TO 
RUN  DRY  =  to  give  out ;  TO 
RUN  FOUL  OF  =  to  attack  or 
antagonise  ;  TO  RUN  HARD  = 
(i)  to  threaten,  endanger,  make 
difficult,  and  (2)  to  equal  or 
almost  achieve;  TO  RUN  HIGH 


Run. 


80 


Run. 


—  (i)  to  be  violent,  (2)  to 
excel  in  a  marked  degree ;  TO 
RUN  IN  =  (i)  to  arrest,  and  (2) 
to  introduce;  TO  RUN  IN  ONE'S 
HEAD  =  (i)  to  bear  in  mind,  (2) 
to  remember  ;  TO  RUN  INTO  THE 
GROUND  =  to  carry  to  excess  ; 
TO  RUN  IT  (American  cadets')  = 
to  go  beyond  bounds ;  TO  RUN 
LIKE  MAD  =  to  go  at  the  top  of 
one's  speed  :  Fr.  ventre  &  terre  ; 
TO  RUN  LOW  =  (i)  to  diminish, 
(2)  to  be  of  little  account ;  TO 
RUN  MAD  AFTER  =  to  have  a 
strong  desire  for ;  TO  RUN  OFF  = 

(1)  to  repeat,  (2)  to  count ;  TO 

RUN    OFF    WITH  =  (i)    to    elope, 

(2)  to  carry  beyond  bounds ;  TO 

RUN     OFF     THE     STRAIGHT     (see 

STRAIGHT)  ;  TO  RUN  ON  =  to 
keep  going :  spec,  to  chatter  ;  TO 
RUN  ON  ALL  FOURS  (see  FOURS)  ; 

TO  RUN  ON  PATTENS  (see  PAT- 
TENS) ;  TO  RUN  ON  THE  HIRL 
=  to  gad,  to  LOAF  (q.v.);  TO 
RUN  ONE'S  FACE  (or  SHAPE)  =  to 
obtain  credit  ;  TO  RUN  ONE'S 

HEAD    INTO    A    NOOSE  =  to     fall 

into  a  snare  ;  TO  RUN  ONE'S 
TAIL  =  to  live  by  prostitution ; 
TO  RUN  ONE'S  WEEK  (Am. 
Univ.)  =  to  trust  to  chance  for 
success  ;  TO  RUN  ONE  WAY  AND 
LOOK  ANOTHER  =  to  play  a 
double  game  ;  TO  RUN  OUT  =  (i) 
to  end,  (2)  to  have  had  one's  day, 

(3)  to  be  lavish  ;  TO  RUN  OUT  ON 
=  to  enlarge  on  ;  TO  RUN  OVER 
=  (i)   to   count,    (2)   to    call   to 
mind,    (3)    to    examine,    (4)    to 
describe,  and  (5)  to  sum  up  ;  TO 
RUN    RIOT  =  (i)   to  be  violent, 
(2)   to   exaggerate,    (3)    to    have 
plenty,  (4)  to  be  active,   (5)   to 
disobey ;    TO   RUN    RUSTY    (see 
RUSTY)  ;  TO  RUN  SLY  (see  SLY)  ; 
TO  RUN  SMOOTH  =  to  be  pros- 
perous ;  TO  RUN  THIN  =  to  back 
out  of  a  bargain ;  TO  RUN  TO  = 
(i)  to  risk,  (2)  to  suffice,  (3)  to 


afford  ;  TO  RUN  TOGETHER  =  to 
grow  like  ;  TO  RUN  TO  SEED  = 

(1)  to  age,  (2)  to  deteriorate  ;  TO 
RUN  THROUGH  =  (i)  to  be  uni- 
form,  (2)   to   pervade,  (3)  to  be 
present,  (4)  to  kill,  and  (5)  to  be 
prodigal;   TO   RUN   UP  =  (i)   to 
increase,  (2)  to  build,  and  (3)  see 
RUNNER-UP  ;   TO   RUN  UP   AN 
ACCOUNT  =  (i)  to  get  credit,  (2) 
get  into  debt,  and  (3)  to  charge  ; 
TO    RUN   UP  BILLS  =  to  obtain 
goods  with  no  intention  of  pay- 
ing ;  TO  RUN  UPON  =  (i)  to  quiz, 

(2)  to  require  ;  TO  RUN  TO  WASTE 
=  (i)    to  empty,    (2)    to    fritter 
away;   TO   RUN   WILD  =  (i)   to 
ROMP  (q.v.),  and  (2)  to  riot;  BY 
(or  WITH)   A  RUN  =  suddenly  ; 
A  RUN  FOR  ONE'S  MONEY  =  a 
good    time    in    exchange    for   a 
certain  expenditure  of  energy  and 
cash;  RUN  OFF  ONE'S  LEGS  =  (i) 
exhausted,  (2)  bankrupt ;  A  NEAR 
RUN  =  (i)  a  close  finish,  (2)  a 
bare  escape,  (3)  cheek  by  jowl ; 
RUN  AFTER  =  in  repute  ;    RUN 
DOWN  =  seedy,  poor.     Also  pro- 
verbs    and    sayings,     '  To    RUN 
through   thick  and   thin '  ;    '  His 
shoes    are    made    of    RUNNING 
leather '  ;  '  To  RUN  a  wild-goose 
chase  ' ;  '  The  Coaches  won't  RUN 
over  him'  (?'.<?.,  '  He's  in  gaol')  ; 
'  He  that  RUNS  may  read '  (said 
of  things  unmistakeably  plain) ; 
'  To  RUN  where  the  devil  drives '  ; 
*  RUN  tap,  RUN  tapster '  (RAY  : 
'  of  a  tapster  that  drinks  so  much 
himself  and  is  so  free  to  others 
that  he  is  fain  to  run  away ')  ; 
'  To  hold  with  the  hare  and  RUN 
with    the    hounds'    (HEYWOOD, 
I546).     [Many    of   these    collo- 
quialisms  are    found  passim   in 
English   literature,   and,    though 
fitly  mentioned  in  this  place,  do 
not  require  extended  illustration. 
Therefore,  only  early  or  striking 
quotations  are  given.] 


Run. 


81 


Run. 


</.i4oo.  CHAUCER,  Rom.  of  Rose. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  \.  400.  There 
are  .  .  .  RUN  DOWN  his  fame,  valour  (in 
the  new  sense  of  worth)  .  .  .]. 

£.1500.  DUNBAR  [OLIPHANT,  New 
Eng'i  i-  363.  Among  the  verbs  are  RUN 
DOWN  a  man,  take  thy  choice  .  .  .]. 

1577.  HARRISON,  Description,  of 
England.  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  595. 
The  verb  RUN  is  applied  in  a  new  sense  ;  a 
range  of  hills  RUNS  in  a  certain  direction.] 

1605.  JONSON,  Volpone,  iii.  6.  So  of 
the  rest  till  we  have  quite  RUN  THROUGH, 
And  wearied  all  the  fables  of  the  gods. 
Ibid.  (1601).  Poetaster,  ii.  i.  These 
courtiers  RUN  IN  MY  MIND  still. 

1613.  PURCHAS,  Pilgrimage,  196. 
And  because  these  praiers  are  very  many, 
therefore  they  RUN  them  OUER. 

£.1617.  HOWELL,  Letters,  i.  v.  7.  Jack 
Stanford  would  have  RUN  AT  him,  but  was 
kept  off  by  Mr.  Nicholas. 

1678.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  HI.  2,  n. 
That  first  RUN  all  religion  DOWN. 

1694.  PENN,  Rise  and  Prog,  o, 
Quakers,  v.  Some  .  .  .  who,  through 
prejudice  or  mistake,  RAN  AGAINST  him. 

1705.  FARQUHAR,  Twin  Rivals, 
Pref.  One  reason  that  the  galleries  were 
so  thin  during  the  RUN  of  this  play. 

1709.  STEELE,  Tatler,  27.  His 
desires  RAN  AWAY  WITH  him. 

1710-3.  SWIFT,  Stella  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,  ii.  150.  A  book  has  a  RUN  like 
the  old  course  ;  there  is  also  a  RUN  of  ill 
weather.] 

1711.  Spectator,  262.  I  RUN  OVER 
in  my  mind  all  the  eminent  persons  in  the 
nation.  Ibid.  (1712),  330.  This  creature, 
if  not  in  any  of  their  little  cabals,  is  RUN 
DOWN  _for  the  most  censorious  dangerous 
body  in  the  world.  Ibid.  (1714),  592. 
Several  of  them  lay  it  down  as  a  maxim, 
that  whatever  dramatic  performance  has  a 
LONG  RUN,  must  of  necessity  be  good  for 
nothing ;  as  though  the  first  precept  in 
poetry  were  not  to  please. 

1726.  POPE,  Dunciad,  i.  113.  Now 
(shame  to  Fortune)  an  ILL  RUN  at  play 
Blank'd  his  bold  visage. 

1736.  FIELDING,  Pasquin,  i.  I  read 
your  comedy  over  last  night  ...  if  it 
RUNS  as  long  as  it  deserves,  you  will 
engross  the  whole  season  to  yourself. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random, 
xlvii.  I  would  not  have  you  RUN  your 
head  precipitately  INTO  A  NOOSE. 


.  1812.  AUSTEN,  Pride  and  Prejudice. 
1m.  I  will  not  spend  my  hours  in  RUN- 
KING  AFTER  my  neighbours. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  x.  You 
have  RUN  OFF  WITH  this  lady  for  the  sake 
of  her  money.  Ibid.  (1843),  Martin 
Chuzzlewit,  xxx.  1  think  of  giving  her  a 
RUN  in  London  for  a  change.  Ibid.  (1846), 
Cricket  on  Hearth,  i.  «  Busy  . 
Caleb?'  'Pretty  well,  John  .  .  .  There's 
rather  a  RUN  ON  Noah's  Arks  at  present.' 

1847.  PORTER,  Quarter  Race,  23.    I 
would  not  advise  any  man  to  try  to  RUN 
OVER  me. 

1848.  RUXTON,    Far    West,    103. 
From  the  RUN  of  the  hills,  there  must  be 
plenty  of  water. 

c.i  854.  MACAULAY,  Montgomery's 
Poems.  The  publications  which  have  had 
a  RUN  during  the  last  few  years. 

c.i86o.  Music  Hall  Song,  'Drink 
under  the  Licensing  Act.'  It  maybe  your 
fate,  If  not  walking  quite  straight,  By  blue 
Guardians  to  be  RUN  IN. 

1 86 1.  KINGSLEY,  Ravenshoe,  xxxvii. 
If  any  .  .  .  burglar  had  [cracked]  that 
particular  crib  .  .  .  and  got  clear  off  with 
the  swag  he  .  .  ._  might  have  been  RUN 
...  for  Congress  in  a  year  or  two. 

1861.  Times,  23  July.  Is  there 
such  a  thing  as  a  RUN  in  calamity?  Mis- 
fortunes, they  say,  never  come  single. 

1864.  LAURENCE,  Guy  Livingstone, 
xii.     Livingstone  headed  the  list,  though 
Fallowfield  RAN  him  HARD. 

1865.  KINGSLEY,  Hillyars  &*  Bur- 
tons, lix.     He  might  have  his  RUN  swept 
by  fire  .  .  .  and  be  forced  to  hurry  his 
sheep  down  to  the  boiling  house. 

1866.  ELIOT,  Felix  Holt,  xx.    There 
was  a  great  RUN  on  Gottleb's  bank  in  '16. 
Ibid.,  xxv.     For  a  man  who  had  long  ago 
RUN  THROUGH  his  own  money,  servitude 
in    a  great  family  was  the  best  kind  of 
retirement  after  that  of  a  pensioner. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  29.  She  had 
the  in  and  out  of  the  Sullivan  house,  and 
kind  o'  kept  the  RUN  o'  how  things  went 
and  came  into  it. 

1877.  North  Am.  Rev.,  July,  5.  They 
assumed  the  functions  of  all  offices,  includ- 
ing the  courts  of  justice,  and  in  many 
places  they  even  RUN  the  churches. 

1879.  HOWELLS,  Lady  of  the  Aroo- 
stook,  vii.  "  Every  novelist  RUNS  a  blonde 
heroine  ;  I  wonder  why." 

F 


Run. 


82 


Runner. 


1879.  Auto,  of  Thief  [Macm.  Mag., 
xl.  506].     '  I  got  RUN  IN,  and  was  tried  at 
Marylebone." 

1880.  SIMS,    Ballads    of    Babylon 
(forgotten).     I  made  a  success,  and  was 
lucky,  the  play  RAN  half  a  year. 

1883.  Referee,  29  April,  7,  2.  Ame- 
rican evangelists  and  speculators  who  RUN 
salvation  on  much  the  same  lines  as 
Barnum  runs  his  menagerie. 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  28  August,  5,  i. 
It  does  not  always  follow  that  the  silly 
backers  get  a  RUN  FOR  THEIR  MONEY.  The 
horse  .  .  .  may  be  scratched  a  few  hours 
before  the  race.  Ibid.  (1883),  4  Oct.,  3,  2. 
What  I  should  like  is  a  nice  pair  of  spec- 
tacles, and,  as  far  as  my  money  would 
RUN  TO  IT,  everything  else  accordin',  sir. 
Ibid.  (1885),  i  July.  Marchant  being 
foolishly  RUN  OUT.  Ibid.  (1886),  8  Feb. 
Coming  down  to  the  ground  WITH  A  RUN. 

1885.  Money  Market  Review,  29 
Aug.  We  were  unable  to  RUN  the  mill. 

1885.  Echo,  8  Sep.     The  RUN  upon 
the  Bank  of  Ireland  and  the   Provincial 
Bank  was  very  severe. 

1886.  PALMER,   New  and  Old,   62. 
If  I  had  had  time  to  follow  his  fortunes,  it 
was  not  possible  to  keep  the  RUN  of  him. 

1887.  FRANCIS,  Saddle  and  Moccasin. 
I  RAN  A  BLUFF  on  'em.     They  said  they 
wasn't  driving  'em  anyhow,  but  they  got 
started  in  the  trail  ahead  of  'em,  and  it 
wasn't  their  business  to  turn  'em. 

1888.  BRYCE,    American    Common- 
wealth, i.  84.    It  is  often  said  of  the  Presi- 
dent that  he  is  ruled — or,  as  the  Americans 
express  it,  RUN — by  his  Secretary. 

1888.  Sp.  Life,  10  Dec.     His  oppo- 
nent eventually  RAN  OUT  a  winner  by  319 
points. 

1889.  MARRIOTT  -  WATSON,     Aus- 
tralian Wilds,  135.     Drummond,  a  young 
squatter  in   Otago,  had  succeeded  to  the 
management  of  the  RUN  on  the  death  of 
his  father. 

1889.  Globe,    ii   Feb.     Of  late  they 
have  had  a  long  RUN  OF  LUCK. 

1890.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  3  Mar.,  5,  2. 
Mr.  Depew  asserts  that  he  is  RUNNING  A 
RAILROAD  and  not  a  Presidential  boom. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet- 
heart, 22.  Sailors,  as  a  rule,  are  not 
friends  of  bailiffs  or  Custom  House 
officers,  and  thus  appreciate  RUNNING  THE 
CUTTER, 


1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  14. 
Bald  buffers  seem  fair  IN  THE  RUN.  Ibid., 
8.  Cremorne's  regular  OUT  OF  THE  RUN. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Signor  Lippo,  xiv. 
Alright,  give  me  due  beonck  quatro  soldi 
per  RUN  and  I'll  bring  you  the  duckets. 

1895.  IOTA,  Comedy  in  Spasms,  iv. 
It  will  give  a  fellow  quite  an  added  cachet 
...  TO  RUN  so  fine  a  woman  as  that,  and 
pay  off  some  old  scores  into  the  bargain. 

1899.  WHITEING,   John    St.,    i.     A 
coral    island  .  .  .  RUN    on    principles    of 
almost  primitive  Christianity. 

1900.  WHITE,     West    End,    40.      I 
always  had  an  idea  that  the  Guv'nor  had 
some  money,  but  I  didn't  imagine  it  would 
RUN  TO  this.     Ibid.,  157.     'Cricket  tour,1 
said  he,  indignantly.     '  I  must  get  fit  first. 
I  feel  quite  RUN  DOWN.' 

RUNABOUT,  subs,  (old).— A  gad- 
about ;  a  vagabond. 

1607.  MARSTON,  What  You  Will, 
iii.  i.  A  RUNNE-ABOUT,  a  skipping  French- 
man. 

RUNAWAY  PRESTON-PANS  (THE 
GREAT),  subs.  phr.  (military). — 
The  1 3th  Hussars.  [A  panic 
seized  some  of  the  men  in  the 
fight  with  the  Jacobite  rebels]. 
Also  "The  Green  Dragoons"; 
"  The  Ragged  Brigade  "  ;  "  The 
Evergreens,"  and  "The  Gera- 
niums." 


RUN-DOWN,  subs.  phr.  (conjurors'). 
— The  bridge  between  stage  and 
auditorum  :  Fr.  practicable  and 
font. 

RUN-GOODS,  subs.  phr.  (venery). — 
'  A  maidenhead,  being  a  com- 
modity never  entered.' — GROSE. 

RUNNER,  subs,  (printers'). — i.  See 
quot. 

1892.  JACOBI,  Some  Notes  on  Books 
and  Printing,  47.  RUNNERS,  s.v. 
Figures  or  letters  placed  down  the  length 
of  a  page  to  indicate  the  particular  num- 
ber or  position  of  any  given  line. 


Runner. 


Running. 


2.  (various).  —  A    tout  :    e.g. 
(Stock    Exchange)  =  a   broker's 
assistant  with  a  private  canvass- 
ing   connection  ;     (racing)  =  a 
messenger    stationed    at   a  tele- 
graph office  to  get  early  informa- 
tion ;    (old    gaming)  =  see    quot. 
1731    (BAILEY)  ;     (American)  = 
(i)  a  steamboat  and  railroad  tout : 
see  TICKET-SCALPER;  and  (2)  a 
commercial  traveller. 

1731.  St.  James's  Eyg.  Post  [SYD- 
NEY, Eng.  in  i8th  Cent.,  i.  229].  List  of 
officers  attached  to  the  most  notorious 
gaming  houses  ...  a  RUNNER,  who  is  to 
get  intelligence  of  the  justices'  meetings, 
and  when  the  constables  are  out. 

1828.  SMEATON,  Doings  in  London, 
1  Humours  of  the  Fleet.'  Now  mean  as 
once  profuse,  the  stupid  sot  Sits  by  a 
RUNNER'S  side  and  damns  his  lot. 

1869.  Fraser's  Mag-.,  'British  Mer- 
chant Seamen.'  The  "touter,"  whose 
business  it  is  to  attract  the  sailor  to  his 
master's  lodgings  by  the  judicious  loan  of 
money,  the  offer  of  grog  or  soft  tack 
(bread) ;  the  RUNNER,  who  volunteers  to 
carry  his  box  of  clothes  and  bedding  free 
of  charge  to  the  same  destination. 

3.  (old). — A  police  officer :  also 
BOW-STREET  RUNNER  :  in  quot. 
1383  =  a  sheriffs  officer. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Canterbury  Tales, 
1  Friar's  Tale,'  Prol.  19.  A  Sompnour  is  a 
RENNER  up  and  down. 

c.i  820.  T.  HUDSON  .  .  .  They 
Straightway  sent  to  Bow-street  for  the 
famous  old  RUNNER,  Townsend. 

1825.  SCOTT,  St.  Ronaris  Well,  iii. 
Constables,  Bow-street  RUNNERS,  amd  such 
like. 

1839.  DICKENS,  Oliver  Twist,  xxx« 
'  It's  the  RUNNERS,'  cried  Brittles  .  .  • 
1  The  what  ?'...'  The  Bow-street  officers, 
sir.' 

4.  (common). — A  wave:    cf. 

ROLLER. 

5.  (nautical).  —  A     smuggler. 
Also  a  crimp  ;  a  single  rope  rove 
through  a  moveable  block;  and 


(formerly)  a  vessel  sailing  without 
a  convoy  in  time  of  war. 
[CLARK  RUSSELL]. 

£.1730.  NORTH,  Lives  oj  the  Norths, 
II.  iii.  The  unfair  traders  and  RUNNERS 
will  undersell  us.  Ibid.,  Examen,  490. 
RUNNERS  and  trickers  .  .  .  that  cover  a 
contraband  trade. 


RUNNER-UP,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
— I .  In  coursing  the  hound  taking 
second  prize,  losing  only  the  final 
course  against  the  winner ;  whence 
(2)  any  competitor  running 
second  or  taking  second  place ; 
whence  RUN-UP  =  the  race  from 
the  slips  to  the  first  turn  of  the 
hare  :  see  TO  RUN  UP. 

1884.  Field,  6  Dec.  The  falling 
together  of  last  year's  winner  and  RUNNER- 
UP. 

RUNNING,  subs,  (racing). — Pace; 
staying  power.  Whence,  IN  (or 

OUT)  OF  THE  RUNNING  =  (i)  in 

(or  out)  of  competition  ;  (2) 
qualified  (or  not) ;  (3)  likely  to 
win  (or  not)  ;  TO  MAKE  GOOD 

RUNNING  =  to  do  well  ;  TO  MAKE 
GOOD  ONE'S  RUNNING  =  to  do  as 

well  as  one's  rival  ;  TO  MAKE 
THE  RUNNING  =  to  force  the  pace ; 
spec,  (racing)  to  start  a  second- 
rate  horse  at  a  high  speed  with  a 
view  of  giving  a  better  chance  to 
a  *  stayer '  belonging  to  the  same 
owner ;  TO  TAKE  UP  THE  RUN- 
NING =  (i)  to  increase  one's  pace, 
(2)  to  take  the  lead  or  most  active 
part. 

1858.  TROLLOPS,  Dr.  Thorne,  v. 
But  silence  was  not  dear  to  the  heart  of 
the  honourable  John,  and  so  he  TOOK  UP 
THE  RUNNING.  Ibid.  (1864).  Small 
House  at  Allington,  ii.  The  world  had 
esteemed  him  when  he  first  MADE  GOOD 
HIS  RUNNING  with  the  Lady  Fanny. 

1861.  KINGSLEY,  Ravenshoe,  xxxvi. 
Ben  Caunt  was  to  MAKE  THE  RUNNING  for 
Haphazard. 


Running-glasier.          84 


Rural. 


1889.  Bird  a'  Freedom,  7  Aug.,  3. 
Stewart  MADE  THE  RUNNING  so  fast  that  I 
couldn't  see  the  way  he  went. 

1892.  Tit-Bits,  17  Sep.,  423,  2.  There 
is  a  striking  variation  in  the  periods  at 
which  women  retire  from  the  RUNNING,  if 
we  may  be  permitted  to  make  use  of  a 
sporting  phrase  in  speaking  of  such  a  sub- 
ject. 

Adj.  (old).— Hasty. 

1601.  SHAKSPEARE,  Henry  VIII., 
i.  4.  Had  the  Cardinal  But  half  my  lay 
thoughts  in  him,  some  of  these  Should  find 
a  RUNNING  banquet  ere  they  rested.  Ibid. , 
v.  4,  69.  There  they  are  like  to  dance 
these  three  days ;  besides  the  RUNNING 
banquet  of  two  beadles  that  is  to  come. 

Prep.     (old).  —  Approaching  ; 
going  on  for  :  cj.  RISING. 

17!?].  Laird  of  Wariestoun  [CHILD, 
Ballads,  in.  112],  I  hae  been  your  gud 
wife  These  nine  years,  RUNNING  ten. 

RUNNING  -  GLASIER,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — A  thief:  a  sham  glazier. 

RUNNING-HORSE,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
—A CLAP  (q.v.}\  a  gleet  (GROSE). 

RUNNING  -  LEATHER.     To    HAVE 

SHOES    OF    RUNNING    LEATHER, 

verb.    phr.    (common).  —  To   be 
given  to  rambling. 

RUNNING-  (or  FLYING)  PATTERER 
(or  STATIONER),  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  hawker  of  ballads,  dying- 
speeches,  newspapers,  and  books : 
cf.  PINNER-UP  (B.  E.,and  GROSE). 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 
228.  The  latter  include  the  RUNNING 
PATTERERS,  or  death  -hunters  ;  being  men 
(no  women)  engaged  in  vending  last  dying 
speeches  and  confessions. 

1864.  HOTTEN,  Slang  Diet.,  s.v. 
RUNNING  STATIONER.  Persons  of  this 
class  formerly  used  to  run,  blowing  a  horn. 
Nowadays  .  .  .  these  peripatetic  newsmen 
bawl  in  quiet  London  thoroughfares,  to  the 
disturbance  of  the  residents. 

RUNNING-RUMBLE.  6"^  RUMBLE R. 


RUNNING  -  SMOBBLE,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — '  Snatching  goods  off  a 
counter,  and  throwing  them  to  an 
accomplice,  who  brushes  off  with 
them'  (GROSE). 

RUNNING-SNAVEL,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  thief  whose  speciality  is  the 
KINCHIN  -  LAY  (q.v.)  :  see 
SNAFFLE. 

RUNT,  subs.  (old). — A  term  of  con- 
tempt :  specifically  of  an  old 
woman.  Whence  RU  NTY  =  surly ; 
boorish.  Also  a  short,  squat  man 
or  woman  [cf.  WELSH  RUNTS  = 
small  cattle]. 

1614.  FLETCHER,  Wit  without  Money, 
v.  2.  Before  I  buy  a  bargain  of  such 
RUNTS,  I'll  buy  a  college  for  bears,  and 
live  among  'em. 

1711.  ADDISON,  Spectator,  No.  108. 
This  overgrown  RUNT  has  struck  off  his 
heels,  lowered  his  foretop,  and  contracted 
his  figure,  that  he  might  be  looked  upon 
as  a  member  of  this  newly  erected  Society 
[The  Short  Club]. 

1721.  CENTLIVRE,  Artifice,  iii.  This 
city  spoils  all  servants :  I  took  a  Welsh 
RUNT  last  spring. 

1 848.  JONES,  Sketches  of  Travel,  115. 
'  No  indeed,'  ses  another  little  RUNTY- 
lookin'  feller — we  've  got  enuff  to  do  to 
take  care  of  our  own  babys  in  these  diggins. 

RUN-TO-SEED,  phr.  (colloquial).— 
Pregnant ;  in  POD  (q.v.). 

RUOF,  adj.  (back  slang). — Four. 

RURAL,  subs,  (old  colloquial). — A 
rustic. 

1604.  MIDDLETON,  Father  Hubbard"s 
Tales.  Amongst  RURALS  verse  is  scarcely 
found. 

1656.  FORD,  Sun's  Darling;  ii. 
Beckon  the  RURALS  in  ;  the  Country-gray 
Seldom  ploughs  treason. 

To  DO  A  RURAL,  verb.  phr. 
(common). — To  ease  oneself  in 
the  open :  cf.  TO  PLUCK  A  ROSE. 


Rush. 


Rush. 


RUSH,  subs,  and   verb,  (common). 
— Generic  for  violence.     Whence 

(1)  as     subs,      (old)  =  robbery 
wth  violence  :  distinguished  from 
a    RAMP     (g.v.),    which     might 
refer  to  the  'lifting'  of  a  single 
article,   whereas  THE   RUSH   in- 
volves   CLEANING    OUT    (q.V.)  ; 
hence  (2)  any  swindle ;  and,  as 
verb.  —  to  rob,  to  cheat,  to  extort 
(e.g.,    'I   RUSHED   the   old    girl 
for  a  quid ') :    also   THE   RUSH- 
DODGE,    and     TO     GIVE     ONE 
THE    RUSH    (PARKER,    GROSE, 
VAUX).     Into  modern  colloquial 
usage   RUSH   enters  largely  :    as 
subs.  =  (i)    extreme   urgency  of 
affairs ;   (2)   a  great  demand,   a 
RUN   (q.v.);   (3)  a  stampede   of 
horses  or  cattle ;  (4)  a  mellay ;  (5) 
in  Amer.  schools  =  (a)  a  gabbled 
or  brilliant  recitation,  and  (b)  a 
very  successful  'pass'  ;  (6)  a  for- 
ward's work  at  football :  whence 
a  SCRIMMAGE  (q.v.).  or  play  in 
which    the    ball    is   forced.     As 
verb.  =  (i)  to  hurry,  to  force  (or 
advance)    a   matter  with  undue 
haste  ;  (2)  to  go  for  an  opponent 
blindly  :    chiefly    pugilists' ;    (3) 
to     charge    or    attack     wildly  ; 
and  (4)  at  football  =  (a)  to  force 
a  ball,   (b)   to  secure  a  goal  by 
forcing.     Also   TO  DO  A  RUSH 
(racing)  =  to   back   a  SAFE-'UN 
(£.#.),  and  (among  bookmakers' 

touts)    TO    BET    FLASH    (q.V.),   to 

induce  business,  TO  BONNET 
(q.v.).  Whence  RUSHER  =  (i)  a 
cheat,  a  thief  (spec,  a  thief  working 
a  house  insufficiently  guarded) ; 

(2)  a  man  of  sensational  energy, 
as  a  ranting  divine,  a   bawling 
politician,   a   reckless  punter,    a 
wild-hitting  pugilist;   and   (3)  a 
forward  good  at  running  ball  in 
hand  or  forcing  the  play  (football). 

Also,  TO  ROAM  ON  THE  RUSH 
(racing)  =  to  swerve  from  the 
straight  at  the  spurt  for  the  finish; 


ON  (or  WITH)  A  RUSH  =  with 
spirit,  energetically  ;  ON  THE 
RUSH  =  on  the  run,  hard  at  it ; 
TO  RUSH  THE  SEASON  =  to  antici- 
pate social  and  other  functions ; 

TO  DO  A  RUSH  UP  THE  STRAIGHT 

(the  FRILLS,  or  PETTICOATS)  = 
to  possess  without  further  ado  a 
yielding  woman  :  see  GROPE  ;  TO 
RUSH  A  BILL  (parliamentary)  = 
to  put  a  bill  through,  (a)  without 
debate,  or  (b)  by  closuring  the 
Opposition. 

1595.  SHAKSPEARE,  Rom.  and  Juliet, 
iii.  3,  25.  The  kind  prince,  Taking  thy 
part,  hath  RUSH'D  aside  the  law. 

1825.  JONES,  True  Bottom'd  Boxer 
[Univ.  Songst.,  ii.  96].  For  taking  and 
giving,  for  sparring  and  RUSHING  it.  Ibid. 
With  chancery  suiting,  and  sparring  and 

RUSHING. 

i8[?].  Brunonian  [BARTLETT].  A 
RUSH  is  a  glib  recitation,  but  to  be  a  DEAD 
RUSH  it  must  be  flawless,  polished,  and 
sparkling  like  a  Koh-i-noor. 

18  [?].  Yale  Lit.  Mag.  [BARTLETT]. 
It  was  purchased  by  the  man,  who  "  really 
did  not  look  "  at  the  lesson  on  which  he 

RUSHED. 

1871.  DE  VERB,  Americanisms,  171. 
The  miner  in  California  and  Nevada  has 
been  known,  in  times  of  a  RUSH,  to  speak 
of  a  place  where  he  could  stand  leaning 
against  a  stout  post,  as  his  diggings  for  the 
night. 

1872.  Daily  Telegraph,  9  Feb.     The 
place  was  RUSHED — an  expressive  word, 
which  signifies  that  the  diggers  swarmed 
to  the  spot  in  such  crowds  as  to  render 
merely    foolish  any  resistance   which   an 
owner  might  be  inclined  to  make.     Ibid. 
(1874),    4   Aug.      A   number  of  bills    are 
RUSHED  through  Parliament.    Ibid.  (1883), 
22  May,  2,  3.     The  sore  point  of  intrigue 
and    bribery    too    well    known    by  those 
familiar  with  the  RUSHING  of  private  bills 
through  the  American  Senate  as  existing 
in  that  Assembly. 

1881.  GRANT,  Bush  Lije.  A  con- 
fused whirl  of  dark  forms  swept  before 
him,  and  the  camp  so  full  of  life  a  minute 
ago  is  desolate.  1 1  was  a  RUSH,  a  stampede. 

1885.  Punch,  24  Jan.,  42-  But,  in 
affairs  of  empire,  Have  you  been  fogged — 
or  RUSHED  ? 


Rush. 


86 


Rush-buckler. 


1887.  PAYN,  Glow  Worm  Tales,  123. 
That  a  fraud  had  been  committed  on  us 
was  certain,  and  a  fraud  of  a  very  clumsy 
kind  ...  he  had  RUSHED  us  as  the  phrase 
goes. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xxiii.     I've  known  cases  where  a 
single  bushranger  was  RUSHED  by  a  couple 
of  determined  men.     Ibid.,  xxiii.     It's  no 
use  trying  the  RUSH  DODGE  with  them. 

1888.  BESANT,    Fifty    Years   Ago, 
137.    Peeresses  .  .  .  occupied  every  seat, 
and  even  RUSHED  the  reporters'  gallery. 

1889.  Illustrated  Bits}   13  July,   3. 
A  girl  of  sixteen  who  receives  calls  from 
admirers,  is  commonly  considered  to  be 
RUSHING  THE  SEASON.    She  is  precocious 
and  the  reverse  of  passee. 

1889.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  4  Jan.     Ain't 
that  the  swine  of  a  snob  that  RUSHED  me 
at  Battersea? 

1890.  Nineteenth  Century,  xxvi.  854. 
There  was  a  slight  boom  in  the  mining 
market,  and  a  bit  of  a  RUSH  on  American 
rails. 

1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack  Room  Bal- 
lads,  '  Fuzzy  Wuzzy.'  A  happy  day  with 

Fuzzy  ON  THE  RUSH. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet- 
heart, 96.  "Jim  always  meant  business 
wherever  he  went,"  she  said  confidently, 
"  and  we  should  be  sure  to  hear  of  that 
RUSH  if  he  had  taken  it  up." 

i8[?]  N.  A.  Review  [Century], 
Hazing,  RUSHING,  secret  societies,  society 
imitations  and  badges  .  .  .  are  unknown 
at  Oxford  and  Cambridge. 

i8[?]  Set.  American  [Century]. 
In  RUSHING,  as  well  as  in  following  or 
heading  off  .  .  .  the  front  lines  get  the 
most  shocks. 

1897.  KENNARD,  Girl  in  Brown 
Habit,  x.  She's  a  RUSHER,  and  just  the 
animal  to  stick  her  forefeet  into  a  drain 
like  this,  especially  when  she  got  excited. 

1901.  D,  Telegraph,  9  Nov.,  7,  2. 
At  the  next  lecture  the  Swami  made  a 
dead  RUSH  to  get  those  present  to  join. 

7.  (old). — The  lowest  minimum 
of  value  :  cf.  STRAW,  RAP,  CENT, 
&c.  [&!<quot.  1591.] 

1362.  LANGLAND,  Piers  Plowman, 
2421.  And  yet  yeve  ye  me  nevere  The 
worthe  of  a  RISSHE. 


£.1440.     Generydes  [E.E.T.S.],  1.  1680. 
Of  all  his  payne  he  wold  not  sett  a  RISSH. 

£.1540.    Doctour  Doubble  Ale,  279.  By 
them  I  set  not  a  RVSH. 

1591.  LYLY,  Sappho  and  Phaon,  ii. 
4.  But  bee  not  pinned  alwayes  on  her 
sleeves ;  strangers  have  greene  RUSHES, 
when  daily  guests  are  not  worth  a  RUSH. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Com.  of  Errors, 
iv.  3.  A  RUSH,  a  hair,  a  drop  of  blood,  a 
pin,  a  nut,  a  cherry-stone. 

1719.  DURFEY,  Pills,  iii.  9.  But  the 
fool  for  his  labour  deserves  NOT  A  RUSH, 
For  grafting  a  Thistle  upon  a  Rose  Bush. 

1767.  STERNE,  Tristam  Shandy,  ix. 
17.  I  would  not,  my  e;ood  people  \  give 
a  RUSH  for  your  judgment. 

RUSH-RING.  To  MARRY  WITH  A 
RUSH-RING,  verb.  phr.  (old). — 
I.  To  marry  in  jest ;  and  (2)  to 
feign  marriage.  See  quot.  1776. 

1579.  SPENSER,  Shepheards  Calen~ 
der,  Nov.,  114.  Where  bene  .  .  .  The 
knotted  RUSH-RINGES,  and  gilt  rosemaree. 

1598.    SHAKSPEARE,  All's   Well,  ii. 

2,  22.    As  fit  ...  as  Tib's  RUSH  for  Tom's 
forefinger. 

c.i6io.     FLETCHER,  F.  Shepherdess,  i. 

3.  Or  gather  RUSHES  to  make  many  a 
RING,  For  thy  long  finger. 

1668.  DAVENANT,  Rivals.  I'll  crown 
thee  with  a  garland  of  straw  then,  And  I'll 

MARRY  thee  WITH  A  RUSH-RING. 

1684.  DURFEY,  Winchester  Wedding 
[Several  New  Songs],  And  Tommy  was 
so  to  Katty,  And  WEDDED  her  WITH  A 
RUSH-RING.  .  .  .  And  thus  of  Fifty  fair 
Maids  .  .  .  Scarce  Five  of  the  Fifty  was 
left  ye,  That  so  did  return  again. 

1776.  BRAND,  Pop,  Antiq,,  ii.  38. 
A  custom  .  .  .  appears  anciently  to  have 
prevailed,  both  in  England  and  in  other 
countries,  of  marrying  with  a  RUSH  RING  ; 
chiefly  practised,  however,  by  designing 
men,  for  the  purposes  of  debauching  their 
mistresses,  who  sometimes  were  so  in- 
fatuated as  to  believe  that  this  mock  cere- 
mony was  a  real  marriage. 

RUSH-BUCKLER,  subs. phr.  (old). — 
A  violent  bully. 

1551.  MORE,  Utopia,  ii.  4.  Take 
into  this  number  also  their  servants:  I 
mean  all  that  flock  of  stout  bragging  RUSH- 
BUCKLERS. 


Russia. 


Rustle. 


RUSSIA,  subs,  (thieves'). — A  pocket- 
book  ;  a  READER  (q.v.). 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
iii.  244.  It  was  the  swell's  RUSSIA— a 
RUSSIA,  you  know,  is  a  pocket-book. 

RUSSIAN -LAW,    subs.    phr.     (old 
colloquial). — See  quot. 

1641.  JOHN  DAY,  Parliament  of 
Sees,  65  (BULLEN).  This  three-pile-velvet 
rascall,  widows  decayer,  The  poore  fryes 
beggerer  and  rich  Bees  betrayer,  Let  him 
have  RUSSIAN  LAW  for  all  his  sins.  Die. 
What's  that  ?  ImJ>.  A  100  blowes  on  his 
bare  shins. 

RUST,  verb,  (streets'). — See  quot. 

1884.  Cornhill  Mag'. ,  June,  620.  So 
far  as  Slinger  has  any  business,  it  is  that 
of  RUSTING,  i.e.,  collecting  —  on  the 
chiffonier  system — old  metal  and  disposing 
of  it  to  the  marine-store  dealers  .  .  . 
though  RUST  is  the  primary  object  of  his 
explorations  of  rubbish  heaps,  all  is  fish 
that  comes  to  his  net. 

TO  NAB  THE  RUST,  verb.  phr. 
(old). — I.  To  take  offence  ;  to 
get  restive  :  cj.  RUSTY. — GROSE 
(1785). 

ENGLISH  SYNONYMS. — To  chew 
oneself ;  to  comb  one's  hair ;  to 
cut  up  rusty  ;  to  get  dandered  (or 
one's  dander  up) ;  huffed  or  huffy ; 
in  a  pelter ;  in  a  scot ;  in  a  wax  ; 
one's  mad  up  ;  on  the  high  ropes  ; 
the  needle  ;  the  monkey  up  ;  the 
monkey  on  one's  back  ;  popped  ; 
shirty  ;  the  spur  ;  waxy ;  to  have 
one's  bristles  raised  ;  one's  shirt 
or  one's  tail  out;  to  lose  one's 
vest ;  to  be  miffed ;  to  pucker  up ; 
to  squall ;  to  stand  on  one's  hind 
leg  ;  to  throw  up  buckets. 

FRENCH  SYNONYMS.  —  Avoir 
mangg  de  foseille  ;  avoir  son  cran  ; 
avoir  son  arnaud  (also  etre 
arnaud] ;  en  rester  tout  blett ; 
avoir  son  bcetif ;  gober  sa  chevre ; 
entrer  en  tempete  ;  monter  a 
Varbre  or  feschelle. 


SPANISH  SYNONYMS. — Amon- 
tanar  ;  atocinar  ;  barba  ;  desban- 
tizarse  despampanar ;  ember  sen- 
charse  ;  escamonearse  ;  mosquear. 

2.  (old). — To   receive  punish- 
ment unexpectedly. 

3.  (old). — See  quot. 

1858.  A.  MAYHEW,  Pavedwith  Gold, 
in.  v.  There's  no  chance  of  NABBING  ANY 
RUST  (taking  any  money). 

RUSTIC,  subs,  (old  :  now  recog- 
nised). — '  A  clownish  Country 
Fellow.'— B.  E.  (^.1696). 

RUSTICATE,  verb.  (University). — To 
banish  by  way  of  punishment; 
TO  SEND  DOWN  (q.V.).  Hence 
RUSTICATION  (GROSE). 

1714.  Spectator,  596.  After  this  I 
was  deeply  in  love  with  a  milliner,  and  at 
last  with  my  bedmaker,  upon  which  I  was 
sent  away,  or,  in  the  university  phrase, 
RUSTICATED  for  ever. 

1779.  JOHNSON,  Life  of  Milton,  12. 
It  seems  plain  .  .  .  that  he  had  incurred 
RUSTICATION  .  .  .  with  perhaps  the  loss 
of  a  term. 

1794.  Gent.  Mag-.,  1085.  And  was 
very  near  RUSTICATION,  merely  for  kicking 
up  a  row  after  a  beakering  party. 

1841.  LEVER,  Charles  O'Malley, 
Ixxix.  Cecil  Cavendish  .  .  .  has  been 
RUSTICATED  for  immersing  four  bricklayers 
in  that  green  receptacle  of  stagnant  water 
and  duckweed  yclept  "the  Haha." 

1843.  THACKERAY,  Fitz-  Boodle's 
Confess.  Then  came  demand  for  an 
apology  ;  refusal  on  my  part ;  appeal  to 
the  dean  ;  convocation  ;  and  RUSTICATION 
of  George  Savage  Fitz-Boodle. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  iv. 
Our  hero  .  .  .  missed  the  moral  of  the 
story  and  took  the  RUSTICATION  for  a  kind 
forgiveness  of  injuries. 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  29  Oct.  Stu- 
dents who  are  liable  at  any  moment  to  be 

RUSTICATED. 

RUSTLE,  verb.  (American). — To 
bestir  oneself;  to  grapple  with 
circumstances  ;  to  rise  superior 
to  the  event.  Whence  RUSTLER 


Rusty. 


88         Rusty -fusty -dusty. 


=  (i)  an  energetic  resourceful 
man ;  and  (2)  a  rowdy,  a 
desperado  :  spec.  (Western  States) 
a  cattle-lifter.  RUSTLING  = 
active,  energetic,  SMART  (q.v.). 

1872.  S.  L.  CLEMENS,  Innocents  at 
Home,  20.  Pard,  he  was  a  RUSTLER. 

1882.  Century  Mag.,  Aug.,  508. 
I'll  RUSTLE  AROUND  and  pick  up  some- 
thing. Ibid.  RUSTLE  the  things  off  that 
table.  Ibid.  To  say  that  a  man  is  a 
RUSTLER  is  the  highest  indorsement  a 
Dakotan  can  give.  It  means  that  he  is 
pushing,  energetic,  smart,  and  successful. 

1884.  Century,  xxxvii.  770.  They're 
a  thirsty  crowd,  an"  it  comes  expinsive ; 
but  they're  worth  it,  fer  they're  RUSTLERS, 
ivery  wan  of  thim. 

1887.  MORLEY  ROBERTS,  Western 
Avernus.  I  tell  you  he  was  a  RUSTLER 
...  It  means  a  worker,  an  energetic  man, 
and  no  slouch  can  be  a  RUSTLER. 

1889.  Cornhill,  July,  62.  I  was  out 
one  day  after  antelope  (I  RUSTLED  all  my 
meat,  except  a  ham  now  and  then  as  a 
luxury),  when  I  happened  to  come  across 
a  large  patch  of  sunflowers. 

1889.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxi.  190. 
RUSTLE  now,  boys,  RUSTLE  !  for  you  have 
a  long  and  hard  day's  work  before  you. 

1892.  Scotsman,  7  May,  '  RUSTLERS  ' 
and  '  Regulators.'  The  lawless  element 
.  .  .  not  content  with  stealing  cattle, 
openly  defied  the  authorities.  In  Tune  .  .  . 
an  expedition  started  .  .  .  and  the  result 
was  that  sixty-one  thieves  were  hanged, 
after  a  pitched  battle  between  the  cattle 
men  and  the  RUSTLERS. 

RUSTY,   subs,    (thieves').— An    in- 
former. 

1840.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  xxxiv. 
He'll  turn  a  RUSTY,  and  scrag  one  of  his 
pals! 

Adj.  (also  RESTY)  (colloquial). 
— Ill-tempered  ;  sullen  ;  restive  ; 
insolent ;  or  (GROSE)  '  out  of 
use ' :  whence  TO  RIDE  RUSTY  or 
NAB  THE  RUST  :  see  RUST  ;  and 
RUSTY-GUTS  (B.  E.,  GROSE)  =  a 

churl. 

1362.  LANGLAND,  Piers  Plowman, 
3941.  Robyn  the  ribaudour  For  hise  RUSTY 
wordes. 


[?].  Coventry  Myst.  [Shakspeare 
Soc.],  47.  RUSTYNES  of  synne  is  cawse  of 
these  wawys. 

£.1625.  Court  and  Times  Chas.  I.}  I. 
36.  In  the  meantime,  there  is  much  urging 
and  spurring  the  parliament  for  supply 
and  expedition,  in  both  which  they  will 
prove  somewhat  RUSTY. 

1649.  MILTON,  Iconoclastes,  xxiv. 
The  master  is  too  RUSTY  or  too  rich  to  say 
his  own  prayers. 

1662.  FULLER,  Worthies,  ii.  293. 
This  Nation  long  restive  and  RUSTY  in 
ease  and  quiet 

1706.  WARD,  Wooden  World,  22.  If 
he  stand  on  his  Punctilio's  ...  he  is 
immediately  proclaimed  throughout  the 
Fleet  a  REISTY  Puppy. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
74.  They're  not  to  blame  for  being  crusty, 
'Twould  make  a  Highlander  RIDE  RUSTY. 

^.1794.  COLMAN,  The  Gentleman,  No. 
5.  His  brown  horse,  Orator,  took  RUST, 
ran  out  of  the  course,  and  was  distanced. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxviii. 
The  people  got  RUSTY  about  it,  and  would 
not  deal.  Ibid.  (1821),  Pirate,  xxxix. 
Even  Dick  Fletcher  RIDES  RUSTY  on  me 
now  and  then. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.  .  .  . 
If  then  she  [a  cat]  TURNS  RUSTY  .  .  _.  he'll 
[a  monkey]  .  .  .  give  her  a  nip  with  his 
teeth. 

1860.  Punch,  xxxix.  177.  He  don't 
care  in  whose  teeth  he  RUNS  RUSTY. 

1863.  READE,    Hard    Cash,     xlv. 
They  watched  the  yard  till  dusk,  when  its 
proprietor  RAN  RUSTY  and  turned  them 
out. 

1864.  Eton  School  Days,  xix.     What 
is  the  good  of  turning  RUSTY?  with  me, 
too.     I  haven't  done  anything. 

1866.  ELIOT,  Felix  Holt,  xi.  Com- 
pany that's  got  no  more  orders  to  give,  and 
wants  to  TURN  up  RUSTY  to  them  that  has, 
had  better  be  making  room  for  rilling  it. 

1892.  HENLEY  and  STEVENSON, 
Deacon  Brodie,  vii.  16.  Confound  it, 
Deacon,  Not  RUSTY. 

RUSTY- FUSTY- DUSTY,  adj.  and  adv. 
(old  colloquial).  —  Begrimed  ; 
malodorous  and  dirty. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  24.  Our 
cottage  that  for  want  of  use  was  musty, 
And  most  extremely  RUSTY-FUSTY-DUSTY. 


Rusty  Buckles. 


Rye-buck. 


RUSTY  BUCKLES  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
military).  —  The  Second  Dragoon 
Guards  (Queen's  Bays)  :  also 
"The  Bays." 

RUTTISH,  adj.  (venery).  —  Lecherous 
(GROSE)  :  also  IN  RUT  and 
RUTTY.  Hence  RUTTING  (or 
RUTTING  -SPORT)  =  the  deed  of 
kind  ;  RUT,  verb,  (see  quot. 
1679)  ;  and  RUTTER  (q.v.). 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  Alts  Well,  iv. 
3,  243.  A  foolish  idle  boy,  but  for  all  that 
very  RUTTISH. 


in,  And  would  be  at  the  RUTTING-SPORT? 

1679.  DRYDEN,  Ovid's  Metam.t  x. 
What  piety  forbids  the  lusty  ram,  Or  more 
salacious  goat,  TO  RUT  their  dam  ? 

To  KEEP  A  RUT,  verb.  phr. 
(colloquial).  —  To  play  the  med- 
dler ;  to  make  mischief. 


RUTAT  (or  R  ATT  AT),  subs,  (back 
slang). — A  potato  ;  a  '  tatur.' 

RUTTER,  subs,  (venery).— i.  A  man 
or  woman  IN  RUT  (q.v.) ;  and  (2) 
Elizabethan  for  the  German  reiter. 

1596.  LODGE,  Wit's  Miserie.  Some 
authors  have  compared  it  to  a  RUTTER'S 
codpiece. 

c.  1618.  FLETCHER,  Custom  of  'Country ', 
Hi.  3.  The  RUTTER,  too,  is  gone.  Ibid, 
(c.  1620),  The  Woman's  Prize,  i.  4.  Such 
a  regiment  of  RUTTERS  Never  defied  men 
braver. 

RY,  subs.  (Stock  Exchange). — A 
dishonest  practice ;  a  sharp  dodge. 

RYDER,  subs,  (common). — A  cloak. 
RYE.    See  ROMANY. 

RYE- BUCK,  adv.  (American). — All 
right;  O.  K.  (q.v.). 


Sa. 


90 


Sack. 


A,  adj.  (showmen's). 
—Six. 

1893.  EMERSON, 
Lippo,  xx.  Veil,  when 
I  got  well  I  was  hired 
out  to  a  woman  for  SA 
soldi  a  day. 


SABBATH-DAY'S  JOURNEY,  subs, 
pkr.  (colloquial). — A  short  walk  : 
also  (ironically)  an  excuse  for  not 
stirring. 

SABE  (SAVE,  or  SAVVY),  subs. 
(American). — Shrewdness;  NOUS 
\q.v.}\  GUMPTION  (q.v.). 

SABLE- MARIA.  See  BLACK  MARIA. 
SABIN,  subs.   (old). — A  whimster. 

1637.  HOLLAND,  Camden,  542. 
Grimsby,  which  our  SABINS,  or  conceited 
persons  dreaming  what  they  list  .  .  .  will 
have  to  be  so  called  of  one  Grimes  a 
merchant. 

SACCER,  subs.  (Harrow  School). — 
The  sacrament  :  cf.  SOCCER, 

RUGGER,  BREKKER,  COLLECKER, 
&C. 

SACHEVEREL,  subs.  (old). — 'The 
iron  door,  or  blower,  to  the 
mouth  of  a  stove  :  from  a  divine 
of  that  name  who  made  himself 
famous  for  blowing  the  coals  of 
dissension  in  the  latter  end  of  the 
reign  of  Queen  Ann '  (GROSE, 
HALLIWELL). 

SACK,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— A  pocket. 
As  verb  —  to  pocket ;  TO  DIVE 
INTO  A  SACK  =  to  pick  a  pocket. 


— B.  E.  (c.  1696) ;  DYCHE  (1748) ; 
GROSE  (1785) ;  VAUX  (1812)  ; 
EGAN  (1823).  Cf.  DOODLESACK. 

1858.  MAYHEW,  Paved  with  Gold, 
in.  iii.  I've  brought  a  couple  of  bene 
coves,  with  lots  of  the  Queen's  pictures 
[money]  in  their  SACKS. 

PHRASES  are  :  To  GIVE  (or  GET) 
THE  SACK  (BAG,  BILLET,  BULLET, 
CANVAS,  KICK-OUT,  MITTEN, 
PIKE,  or  ROAD)  =  to  give  or  get 
discharge  :  from  employment, 
office,  position,  &c.  :  see  BAG  : 
also  TO  SACK  and  TO  BESTOW 
(or  GET)  THE  ORDER  OF  THE 

SACK ;   TO    BUY    THE    SACK  =  tO 

get  drunk  (GROSE)  ;  TO  BREAK  A 

BOTTLE  IN  AN  EMPTY  SACK  =  '  a 

bubble  bet,  a  sack  with  a  bottle 
in  it  not  being  an  empty  sack' 
(GROSE);  MORE  SACKS  TO  THE 
MILL  !  =  (i)  Pile  it  on  !  a  call  to 
increased  exertion,  and  (2)  plenty 
in  store. 

1607.  DEKKER  and  WEBSTER,  West- 
ward Hoe,  ii.  i.  There's  other  irons  i' 
th'  fire,  MORE  SACKS  are  coming  TO  THE 
MILL. 

1623.  MIDDLETON  and  ROWLEY, 
Spanish  Gypsy,  iv.  j.  Soto.  MORE  SACKS 
TO  THE  MILL.  San.  More  thieves  to  the 
sacks. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick  Papers, 
xx.  I  wonder  what  old  Fogg  would  say  ? 
...  I  should  GET  THE  SACK,  I  suppose. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends, 
ii.  247.  Don't  .  .  .  fancy,  because  a  man's 
nous  seems  to  lack,  That  whenever  you 
please,  you  can  GIVE  HIM  THE  SACK. 

1864.  YATES,  Broken  to  Harness, 
xxi.  If  it  rested  with  me,  doctor,  I'd  give 
him  unlimited  leave,  confer  on  him  THE 

ORDER   OF    THE   SACK. 


Sacrifice. 


Saddle. 


1867.  All  Year  Round,  13  July,  55. 
When  hands  are  being  SACKED. 

1895.  Standard,  18  Ap.,  i,  i.  Thus 
GIVING  THE  SACK  arose  from  the^fact  that 
masters  or  mistresses  gave  dismissed  ser- 
vants a  rough  bag  in  which  to  pack  up 
their  belongings,  in  order  to  expedite  their 
departure. 

1900.  KIPLING,  Stalky  &>  Co.,  10. 
You  must  SACK  your  keeper.  He's  not  fit 
to  live  in  the  same  country  with  a  God- 
fearing fox. 

SACRIFICE,  subs.  (Trade  Cant). — 
The  surrender,  or  loss  of  profit  : 
as  verb  =  to  sell  regardless  of  cost. 

1844.  DICKENS,  Chimes,  ii.  It's 
patterns  were  last  year's  and  going  at  a 

SACRIFICE. 

SAD,  adj.  and  adv.  (colloquial). — 
Mischievous ;  troublesome  ;  of 
little  account ;  merry  ;  fast :  as  A 
SAD  DOG  =  (i)  'a  wicked  de- 
bauched fellow '  (GROSE),  and  (2) 
a  playful  reproach. 

1706.  FARQUHAR,  Recruiting  Officer, 
iii.  2.  Syl.  .  .  .  you  are  an  ignorant, 
pretending,  impudent  coxcomb.  Braz. 
Ay,  ay,  a  SAD  DOG. 

1713.  SWIFT,  Stella  [OLIPHANT,  New 
Eng.,  li.  150.  The  word  SAD  is  much 
used ;  a  man  is  a  SAD  DOG  ;  sour  grapes 
are  SAD  things]. 

1713.  STEELE,  Spectator,  No.  448. 
Then  does  he  begin  to  call  himself  the 
SADDEST  fellow,  in  disappointing  so  many 
places. 

1726.  VANBRUGH,  Provoked  Hus- 
band, iii.  i.  When  a  SAD  wrong  word  is 
rising  just  to  one's  tongue's  end,  I  give  a 
great  gulp,  and  swallow  it. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random,  xvi 
I  suppose  you  think  me  a  SAD  DOG  .  .  . 
I  ...  confess  that  appearances  are  against 
me. 

1759.  GOLDSMITH,  Bee,  No.  2.  You 
have  always  been  a  SAD  DOG— you'll  never 
come  to  good,  you'll  never  be  rich. 

1771.  MACKENZIE,  Man  of  Peeling, 
xiv.  I  have  been  told  as  how  London  is  a 
SAD  place. 

1836.  DICKENS,  Sketches  by  Boz,  141. 
Mr.  Tones  used  to  poke  him  in  the  ribs, 
and  tell  him  he  had  been  a  SAD  DOG  in  his 
time. 


SADDLE,  subs,  (venery). — i.  The 
female  pudendum :  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE :  cf.  RIDE.  Hence, 
IN  THE  SADDLE  =  mounted. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May-day,  iii.  2. 
Mine  uncle  Lorenzo's  maid,  Rose  ...  he 
will  needs  persuade  me  her  old  master 
keeps  her  for  his  own  SADDLE. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  III. 
III.  i.  2.  The  adulterer  sleeping  now  was 
riding  on  his  master's  SADDLE. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  312. 
Damme,  if  I  car'd  a  rush  who  rode  in 
my  SADDLE. 

2.  theatrical). — See  quot. 

1781.  PARKER,  View  of  ^Society,  i. 
54.  His  conscience  carried  him  to  extort 
two  guineas  on  each  person's  benefit  by 
way  of  SADDLE  (which  among  theatrical 
people  is  an  additional  charge  upon  the 
benefits). 

PHRASES.  —  To     PUT     THE 

SADDLE  ON  THE  RIGHT  HORSE  = 

(i)  to  blame  (or  praise)  where 
justly  due,  and  (2)  to  cast  a 
burden  where  best  borne;  TO 

SUIT  ONE  AS  A  SADDLE  SUITS  A 

sow  =  to  become  ill  ;  to  be 
incongruous  :  TO  SADDLE  A 
MARKET  (Amer.  Stock  Exchange) 
=  to  foist  a  stock  on  the  market ; 

TO  SADDLE  ONE  WITH  A  THING 

=  to  impose  a  thing  on,  to  con- 
strain to  accept  an  unwelcome 
gift ;  '  He  has  a  SADDLE  to  fit 
every  horse'  =  'He  has  a  salve 
(or  remedy)  for  every  sore  (or  mis- 
hap) '  J  TO  SADDLE  THE  SPIT  = 
to  give  a  dinner  or  supper 
(GROSE)  ;  TO  SADDLE  ONE'S  NOSE 
=  to  wear  spectacles  (GROSE)  ; 

TO  SADDLE  A  PLACE  (or  PENSION) 
=  '  to  oblige  the  owner  to  pay  a 
certain  portion  of  his  income  to 
someone  nominated  by  the  donor ' 
(GROSE)  ;  SADDLE  -  LEATHER  = 
the  skin  of  the  posteriors  ; 
SADDLE-SICK  =  galled  by  riding 
(GROSE). 


Saddleback. 


92 


Sails. 


1607.  DEKKER  and  WEBSTER,  West- 
ward Ho,  v.  i.  How  say  you,  wenches? 
Have  I  SET  THE  SADDLE  ON  THE  RIGHT 

HORSE  ? 

c.i6i6.      Court  and    T lines  James  /. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  70.     We  see 

SET    THE    SADDLE   ON    THE   RIGHT  HORSE 

1668.  DRYD EN,  A II for  Love,  Preface. 
A  wiser  part  to  SET  THE  SADDLE  ON  THE 

RIGHT  HORSE. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
ii.  Ld.  Smart.  Why,  he  us'd  to  go  very 
fine,  when  he  was  here  in  Town.  Sir  John. 
Ay;  and  IT  BECAME  HIM,  AS  A  SADDLE 

BECOMES  A  SOW. 

1744.  NORTH,  Lord  Guild  ford,  I.  314. 
His  .  .  .  lordship  had  done  well  to  have 
shown  .  .  .  what  was  so  added,  and  then 

THE  SADDLE  WOULD  HAVE  FALLEN  ON 
THE  RIGHT  HORSE, 

1837.  CARLYLE,  Diamond  Necklace, 
\.  Roland  .  .  .  was  SADDLE-SICK,  calum- 
niated, constipated. 

SADDLEBACK,  subs,  (common). — A 
louse :  see  CHATES. 

SADLY,  adv.  (colloquial).  —  In- 
different in  health. 

1866.  ELIOT,  Felix  Holt,  xxvu.  Mr. 
Holt,  miss,  wants  to  know  if  you'll  give 
him  leave  to  come  in.  I  told  him  you  was 

SADLY. 

SAFE,  adj.  (occasionally  colloquial). 
— Trustworthy  ;  certain  :  e.g.> 
'  So-and-so's  SAFE  enough'  = '  He 
is  certain  to  meet  his  engage- 
ments' ;  SAFE  to  be  hanged  =  sure 
of  the  gallows ;  SAFE  AS  HOUSES 
(THE  BELLOWS,  COONS,  THE 
BANK  —  ANYTHING)  =  perfectly 
sure  ;  A  SAFE-CARD  =  a  wide- 
awake fellow  ;  A  SAFE-UN  =  a 
horse  not  meant  to  run,  nor, 
if  he  runs,  to  win ;  also  STIFF- 

'UN  (?.V.),  DEAD-'UN  (q.V.),  or 
STUMER  (q.v.):  with  such  an 
entry  a  bookmaker  can  SAFELY 
operate. 

1624.  MIDDLETON,  Game  at  Chess, 
ii.  i.  To  sell  away  all  the  powder  in  a 
kingdom  To  prevent  blowing  up  :  that's 

SAFE. 


1851.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  ii. 
154.  If  you  was  caught  up  and  brought 
afore  the  Lord  Mayor,  he'd  give  you 
fourteen  days  on  it,  as  SAFE  AS  THE 

BELLOWS. 

1854.  WHYTE- MELVILLE,  General 
Bounce,  xiii.  But  here  we  are  at  Tatter- 
sail's  ;  ...  so  now  for  good  information, 
long  odds,  a  SAFE  man,  and  a  shot  at  the 
favourite  1 

1864.  Derby-day,  51.  We're  all 
ruined  AS  SAFE  AS  COONS. 

1864.  YATES,  Broken  to  Harness,  x. 
I  shall  be  county-courted,  AS  SAFE  AS 
HOUSES.  Ibid.  (1866),  Land  at  Last,  I. 
173.  One  or  two  more  of  the  same  sort 
are  SAFE  to  make  him  an  associate. 

1867.  London  Herald,  23  Mar.,  221, 
3.  We're  SAFE  to  nab  him ;  SAFE  AS 
HOUSES. 

1871.  "  HAWK'S-EYE,"  Turf  Notes, 
ii.  Most  assuredly  it  is  the  bookmakers 
that  profit  by  the  SAFE  UNS,  or  "  stiff  uns," 
as,  in  their  own  language,  horses  that  have 
no  chance  of  winning  are  called. 

1890.  ALLEN,  Tents  ofShem,  xxviii. 
You  may  make  your  forgery  itself  as  SAFE 
AS  HOUSES. 

1894.  MOORE,  Esther  Waters,  xxx. 
I  overlaid  my  book  against  Wheatear  ;  I'd 
heard  that  she  was  AS  SAFE  AS  'OUSES. 

SAILS,  subs,  (naval). — A  sailmaker. 

1835.  DANA,  Two  Years  Before 
Mast,  xxviii.  Poor  '  Chips '  could  eat  no 
supper  .  .  .  SAILS  tried  to  comfort  him, 
and  told  him  he  was  a  bloody  fool. 

PHRASES.— To  SAIL  IN  =  to 
put  in  an  appearance,  or  take 
part  in  a  matter  ;  TO  TAKE  THE 
WIND  OUT  OF  ONE'S  SAILS  =  to 
run  foul  of,  to  spoil  sport ;  TO 

SAIL  NEAR  (CLOSE  TO,  Or  TOO 
NEAR  THE  WIND)  =  (i)  to  run 

risks,  (2)  to  act  with  caution,  (3) 
to  live  closely  to  one's  income, 
and  (4)  to  verge  upon  obscenity ; 
'  How  YOU  SAIL  ABOUT'  (B.  E.) 
=  How  you  saunter  about.' 

1860.  THACKERAY,  Lovel  the 
Widower.  Lady  B.  SAILED  IN  ...  many 
brooches,  bangles,  and  other  gimcracks 
ornamenting  her  plenteous  person. 


Sailors-blessing.          93 


Saint. 


1888.  Harp.  Mag.,  Ixxviii.  561.  A 
man  must  dismiss  all  thoughts  of  ... 
common-sense  when  it  comes  to  masquerade 
dresses,  and  just  SAIL  IN  and  make  an 
unmitigated  fool  of  himself. 

1891.  M.  Advertiser,,  30  Mar.  John 
Harvey  called  William  Tillman  a  liar  150 
times,  .  .  .  and  offered  to  lick  him  104 
times.  At  the  1 04  th  William.  .  .thrashed 
John.  The  verdict  of  the  jury  was  that 
William  ought  to  have  SAILED  IN  an  hour 
and  a  half  earlier. 

SAILOR'S  -  BLESSING,  subs.  pkr. 
(nautical). — A  curse. 

SAILOR'S- PLEASURE,  subs.  phr. 
(nautical). — 'Yarning,  smoking, 
dancing,  growling,  &c.'  (CLARK 
RUSSELL). 

SAILOR'S-WAITER,  subs.  phr.  (nau- 
tical).— See  quot. 

1835.  DANA,  Two  Years,  &*c.,  iii. 
The  second  mate  ...  is  neither  officer 
nor  man  .  .  .  The  crew  call  him  the 
SAILOR'S-WAITER,  as  he  has  to  furnish 
them  with  spun  yarn,  marline,  and  all 
other  stuffs  that  they  need  in  their  work  .  . . 

SAINT,  subs.  (old). — 'A  piece  of 
spoiled  timber  in  a  coachmaker's 
shop,  like  a  saint,  devoted  to  the 
flames '  (GROSE). 

PHRASES  and  DERIVATIVES. — 
ST.  ANTHONY'S  PIGS  {see  quot. 
1662) ;  ST.  GEOFFREY'S  DAY  = 
never  (GROSE)  :  see  QUEEN 
DICK  ;  ST.  GILES'S  BREED  = 
'Fat,  ragged,  and  saucy'  (GROSE)  ; 
ST.  GILES'S  GREEK  =  Cant, 
SLANG  (?.».),  PEDDLER'S  FRENCH 
(GROSE)  ;  ST.  LAWRENCE'S 
TEARS  (see  quot.  1874)  ;  ST. 
LUBBOCK'S  DAY  =  a  bank-holi- 
day; ST.  LUKE'S  BIRD  =  an  ox 
(GROSE)  ;  ST.  MARGET'S  ALE 
=  water  :  see  ADAM'S  ALE  ; 
ST.  MARTIN'S  EVIL  =  drunken- 
ness ;  ST.  MARTIN'S  RING  =  a 
copper-gilt  ring ;  ST.  MARTIN'S 
LACE  =  imitation  gold  lace,  stage 


tinsel  :  tttf  quot.  1607  (DEKKER)  ; 
ST.  MONDAY  =  '  a  holiday  taken 
on  Monday  to  recover  from  the 
effects  of  the  Sunday's  rest* 
(GROSE)  :  whence  MONDAYISH 
=  lazy  :  see  COBBLER'S  SUNDAY 
and  SHOEMAKER'S  HOLIDAY  ; 
ST.  NICHOLAS  (see  NICHOLAS)  ; 
ST.  PATRICK  (or  ST.  PATRICK'S 
WELL)  =  the  best  whiskey  ;  ST. 
JOHN  TO  BORROW  (see  BORROW)  ; 

TO  DINE  WITH  ST.  ANTHONY  (cf. 

DUKE  HUMPHREY)  ;  RIDING  ST. 
GEORGE  =  '  the  woman  upper- 
most in  the  amorous  congress, 
that  is  the  dragon  on  St.  George  ' 
(GROSE):  whence  ST.  GEORGE 
A  -HORSE  -BACK  =  the  act  of 
kind  (see  quot.  1617)  ;  THE 
'SPITAL  STANDS  TOO  NIGH  ST. 
THOMAS  A'  WATERINGS  = 
'Widows  who  shed  most  tears 
are  sometimes  guilty  of  such 
indiscretions  as  render  them 
proper  subjects  for  the  public 
hospitals'  (HAZLITT);  SAINT  OF 
THE  SAUCEPAN  =  an  expert  cook. 

1600.  MUNDAY  and  DRAYTON,  Old- 
castle,  iv.  4.  If  ye  burn,  by  this  flesh  I'll 
make  you  drink  their  ashes  in  SAINT 
MARGET'S  ALE. 


Antiq.,  II.  27,  note].  I  doubt  whether  all 
be  gold  that  glistereth,  sith  SAINT 
MARTIN'S  RINGS  be  but  copper  within, 
though  they  be  gilt  without. 

1607.  Puritan,  i.  i.  Here's  a 
puling  .  .  .  my  mother  weeps  for  all  the 
women  that  ever  buried  husbands  .  .  . 
Alas  !  a  small  matter  lucks  a  handker- 
chief! and  sometimes  THE  'PITAL  STANDS 
TOO  NIGH  SAINT  THOMAS  A'  WATERINGS. 

1607.  DEKKER,  Westward  Ho,  ii.  i. 
You  must  to  the  Pawn  to  buy  lawn  ;  to 
SAINT  MARTIN'S  for  LACE. 

£.1617.  FLETCHER,  Mad  Lover,  i.  i. 
How  our  SAINT  GEORGES  will  BESTRIDE 
THE  DRAGONS,  The  red  and  ramping 
dragons. 

1632.  MASSINGER,  Fatal  Dowry,  iii. 
i.  Chmral.  You  did  not  see  him  on  my 
couch  within,  Like  GEORGE  A-HORSEBACK, 
on  her,  nor  a-bed  1 


Sake. 


94 


Sale. 


1648.  A  Brown  Dozen  of  Drunkards 
...  By  one  that  hath  drunk  at  ST. 
PATRICK'S  WELL  [Title]. 

1662.  FULLER,  Worthies  (London), 
i.  65.  Nicholas  Heath  .  .  .  noted  for  one 
of  SAINT  ANTHONIE'S  PIGS  therein  (so 
were  the  Scholars  of  that  school  [City  of 
London]  commonly  called,  as  those  of  St. 
Paul,  Pants  Pigeons'). 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  42.  That  SAINT  OF  THE  SAUCE- 
PAN .  .  .  leaving  him  ...  to  ...  his 
usual  nap  after  dinner,  we  took  away,  and 
demolished  the  remainder  with  appetites 
worthy  of  our  master.  Ibid.,  Gil  Bias 
(1812),  ii.  viii.  Comedians  ...  do  not 
travel  a-foot,  and  DINE  WITH  ST. 
ANTHONY. 

1791.  LACKINGTON,  Letter,  iii.  [Life, 
1803],  While  he  was  keeping  SAINT 
MONDAY,  I  was  with  boys  of  my  own  age, 
fighting,  cudgel-playing,  wrestling,  &c. 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
5.  Flash,  my  young  friend,  or  slang,  as 
others  call  it,  is  the  classical  language  of 
the  Holy  Land ;  in  other  words,  ST. 
GILES'S  GREEK. 

^1874.  Eng.  Mechanic  [DAVIES].  The 
familiar  shower  of  shooting  stars  [gth  to 
nth  Aug.]  known  of  old  as  ST.  LAU- 
RENCE'S TEARS,  but  now  termed— rather 
more  scientifically — the  Perseides,  from 
the  point  in  the  heavens  whence  they 
appear  to  radiate. 

1882.  RIDDELL,  Weird  Stories,  The 
Open  Door.  We  were  always  counting 
the  weeks  to  next  ST.  LUBBOCK'S  DAY. 

1884.  D.  News,f  22  July,  5,  3.  It 
was  evident  that  universal  homage  was 
being  paid  to  SAINT  MONDAY.  Working 
London  proclaimed  a  general  holiday. 

1902.  Pall  Mall  Gazette,  26  July, 
3,  i.  It  [Coronation  day]  will  be  the  most 
memorable  Bank  Holiday  that  has  yet 
figured  in  the  annals  of  ST.  John  LUBBOCK. 

SAKE.  FOR  SAKE'S  SAKE  (ANY 
SAKE,  GOODNESS  SAKE,  &C.),/^. 
(colloquial). — A  strong  appeal. 
FOR  OLD  SAKE'S  SAKE  =  for 
'auld  lang  syne.' 

1670.  HOWARD,  Committee,  iii.  Run 
after  him,  and  save  the  poor  fellow  FOR 
SAKE'S  SAKE. 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Broivn's  School- 
days, i.  iii.  Us  be  cum  to  pay  'e  a  visit 
.  .  .  FOR  OLD  SAKE'S  SAKE. 


1863.  KINGSLEY,  Water  Babies.  Yet 
FOR  OLD  SAKE'S  SAKE  she  is  still,  dears, 
The  prettiest  doll  in  the  world. 

SAL,  subs,  (old  colloquial).  —  i. 
Salivation  ;  IN  A  HIGH  SAL  = 
'in  the  pickling  tub'  (GROSE). 

2.  (theatrical). — Salary. 

1885.  Household  Words,  29  August, 
350.     I  say  that  part  of  this  money  shall 
be  shared  among  us  as  SALS,  and  some  of 
the  remainder  shall  be  used  for  mounting 
the  guv'nor's  panto. 

SALAD,  subs,  (nautical). — i.  See 
quot. 

1877.  Notes  &*  Queries,  5  S.,  viii. 
269.  When  an  officer  on  board  ship  is 
wakened  and  fails  to  obey  the  snmmons, 
but  has  another  nap,  it  is  called  TAKING  A 
SALAD. 

2.  (colloquial). — A  lettuce. 

SALAD-DAYS  (or  STAGE),  subs.  phr. 
(colloquial). — The  days  of  youth- 
ful simplicity ;  inexperience. 

1608.  SHAKSPEARE,  Ant.  andCleop., 
i.  5,  73.  My  SALAD  DAYS,  When  I  was 
green  in  judgement. 

1892.  ANSTEY,  Voces  Populi,  '  At  a 
Parisian  Cafe  Chantant,'  85.     The  diners 
in  the  gallery  at  the  back  have  passed  THE 

SALAD  STAGE. 

1893.  Chambers' s  Jour.,    25    Feb., 
125.     Having  in  his  SALAD  DAYS    made 
trial  of  a  cheap  cigar,  the  result  somehow 
satisfied  him  that  tobacco  was  not  in  his 
line. 

SALAMANDER,  subs,  (colloquial). — 
I.  Anything  fire-proof,  and  (2)  a 
fire-eating  juggler  (circus). 

1886.  BESANT,  Children  of  Gideon, 
i.  vi.     We  ain't  a  show.    Lotty  ain't  a 
clown;  I  ain't  ajumping-howe  ;  Liz  ain't 
a  SALAMANDER. 

SALE.  HOUSE  OF  SALE,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — See  quot.  and  NANNY- 
HOUSE. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hamlet,  ii.  i,  60. 
I  saw  him  enter  such  a  HOUSE  OF  SALE, 
Videlicet,  a  brothel. 

See  WASH-SALE. 


Salesman*  s-dog.  95 


Salt. 


SALESMAN'S-DOG,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  shop  tout ;  a  BARKER  (q.v.). 
— GROSE. 

SALISBURY,  subs,  (political  :  obso- 
lete).— See  quots. 

1890.  Standard,  3  Mar.,  3,  4  [Mr. 
Labouchere  loquitur].  Some  time  ago 
they  invented  a  word  for  the  Marquess's 
statements.  They  said,  "When  you  are 
telling  a  lie  and  want  to  tell  it  civilly,  say 
you  are  telling  a  SALISBURY." 

1890.  PaH  Mall  Gaz.,  i  Mar.,  5,  T. 
Lord  Salisbury's  evasion,  which  past  ex- 
perience, even  without  the  facts,  suggested 
was  a  SALISBURY.  Ibid.,  6,  i.  The 
famous  SALISBURY  about  the  Secret-Treaty 
.  .  .  must  henceforth  be  read  "  cumgrano 
ja/z'j-bury." 

SALLY.    See  AUNT  SALLY. 

SALLY-PORT,  subs.  phr.  (venery). — 
The  female  pudendum  :  see  MO- 
NOSYLLABLE. 

1656.  FLETCHER,  Martiall.  Torches 
can  Best  enter  at  the  SALLI-PORT  of  man. 

SALLINGER'S-  (or  SALLENGER'S— 
i.e.,  ST.  LEGER'S)  ROUND.  To 
DANCE  SALLINGER'S  -  ROUND, 
verb.  phr.  (old). — To  wanton  ;  to 
copulate :  cf.  THE  TUNE  OF  THE 

SHAKING  OF  THE  SHEET.      [SAL- 

LENGER'S  ROUND  =  a  loose  ballad 
and  tune,  tempus  Elizabeth.] 

1698.  London  Spy  [NARES].  It  will 
restore  an  old  man  of  threescore,  to  the 
juvenallity  of  thirty,  or  make  a  girle  at 
fourteen,  with  drinking  but  one  glass,  as 
ripe  as  an  old  maid  of  four  and  twenty. 
'Twill  make  a  parson  DANCE  SALLINGER'S- 
ROUND,  a  puritan  lust  after  the  flesh. 

SALMAGUNDY(or  SALMON-GUNDY), 

subs.  (old). — i.  Seeqnot.    Hence 
(2)  =  a  cook. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random, 
xxvi.  Ordering  the  boy  to  bring  a  piece 
of  salt  beef  from  the  brine,  cut  off  a  slice, 
and  mixed  it  with  an  equal  quantity  of 
onions,  which  seasoning  with  a  moderate 
proportion  of  pepper  and  salt  he  brought 


it  into  a  consistence  with  oil  and  vinegar. 
Then  tasting  the  dish,  assured  us,  it  was 
the  best  SALMAGUNDY  that  he  had  ever 
made. 

SALMON  (or  SALOMON),  subs.  (Old 
Cant). — The  mass  ;  '  the  Beggers 
Sacrament  or  Oath.'  [SMYTH- 
PALMER,  Folk  Etymology :  'prob- 
ably a  corruption  of  Fr.  serment ' ; 
OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  384, 
'Henry  VIII.,  when  surprised, 
cries  by  the  mass  (ELLIS,  Letters, 
III.  i.  196,  1513-25)  ;  this  was  to 
become  a  common  oath  all 
through  the  country.']  (HARMAN, 
DEKKER,  ROWLANDS,  HEAD, 
B.  E.,  BAILEY,  GROSE,  EGAN, 
BEE.) 

£.1536.  COPLAND,  Spyttel-hous  [HAZ- 
LITT,  Pop.  Poet.,  iv.].  By  SALMON,  and 
thou  shall  pek  my  jere. 

1611.  MIDDLETON,  Roaring  Girl,  v. 
i.  I  have,  by  the  SALOMON,  a  doxy  that 
carries  a  kinchin-mort  in  her  slate  at  her 
back. 

1614.  OVERBURY,  Characters,  'A 
Canting  Rogue. '  He  will  not  beg  out  of 
his  limit  though  hee  starve  ;  nor  break  his 
oath  if  hee  sware  by  his  SALOMAN  .  .  . 
though  you  hang  him. 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Beggar's  Bush, 
c  Maunder's  Initiation."  I  ...  stall  thee 
by  the  SALMON  into  clowes. 

1641.  BROME,  Jovial  Crew,  ii.  By 
SALAMON,  I  think  my  mort  is  in  drink. 

1707.  SHIRLEY,  Triumph  of  Wit, 
1  Maunder's  Praise  of  His  Strowling  Mort.1 
Doxy,  oh  !  thy  glaziers  shine  As  glimmar  ; 
by  the  SALOMON  ! 

1749.  MOORE-CAREW,  Oath  of  Cant' 
ing  Crew.  And  as  I  keep  to  the  foregone, 
So  may  help  me  SALAMON  ! 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxxiv. 
She  swore  by  the  SALMON. 

SALMON-AND-TROUT,  subs.  phr. 
(rhyming).  —  The  mouth  :  see 
POTATO-TRAP. 

SALT,  subs,  (common).  —  i.  A 
sailor  :  esp.  an  old  hand :  also 

SALT-WATER. 


Salt. 


96 


Salt. 


1835.  DANA,  Two  Years ;  i.  My 
complexion  and  hands  were  enough  to 
distinguish  me  from  the  regular  SALT. 

1839.  AINSWORTH,  Jack  Sheppard, 
vi.  And  why  not,  old  SALTWATER?  in- 
quired Ben,  turning  a  quid  in  his  mouth. 

1844.  SELBV,  London  By  Night,  i. 
i.  I  am  too  old  a  SALT  to  allow  myself  to 
drift  on  the  quicksand  of  woman's  perfidy. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown  at 
Oxford,  viii.  He  can  turn  his  .hand  to 
anything,  like  most  old  SALTS. 

1884.  RUSSELL,   Jack's    Courtship, 
xxiii.      The  crew  in  oilskins,  the    older 
SALTS  among  them  casting  their  eyes  to 
windward    at    the    stormy    look    of  the 
driving  sky. 

1885.  D.    Telegraph,   n   Sept.    An 
old  SALT  sitting  at  the  tiller. 

2.  (common). — Money  :  speci- 
fically  (Eton    College)   the  gra- 
tuity exacted  at  the  now  obsolete 
triennial  festival  of  the  MONTEM 
(q.v. ).    Also  (generic)  =  a  measure 
of  value. 

1886.  BREWER,  Phrase  and  Fable, 
s.v.  SALTHILL.    At  the  Eton  Montem  the 
captain  of  the  school  used  to  collect  money 
from  the  visitors  on  Montem  day.     Stand- 
ing on  a  mound  at  Slough,  he  waved  a 
flag,  and  persons  appointed  for  the  purpose 
collected  the  donations.      The  mound  is 
still  called  SALT-HILL,    and    the    money 
given  was  called  SALT  .  .  .  similar  to  the 
Lat.  salarium  (salary)  the  pay  given  to 
Roman  soldiers  and  civil  officers. 

1890.  Speaker,  22  Feb.,  210,  2.  In 
lively,  but  worldly  fashion  we  go  to  Eton, 
with  its  buried  Montem,  its  "SALT!  your 
majesty,  SALT  ! "  its  gin-twirley,  and  its 
jumping  through  paper  fires  in  Long 
Chamber. 

3.  (old). — Pointed    language  ; 
wit  :    whence    SALT-PITS     (old 
Univ.)  =  'The  store  of  attic  wit' 
(GROSE). 

1580.  BARET,  Alvearie,  s.v.  SALT,  a 
pleasaunt  and  merrie  word  that  maketh 
folks  to  laugh,  and  sometime  pricketh. 

1635.  QUARLES,  Emblems  [NARES]. 
Tempt  not  your  SALT  beyond  her  power. 

1639.  MAYNK,  Citye  Match,  15,  She 
speaks  with  SALT. 


Adj.  (old).— I.  Wanton; 
amorous;  PROUD  (q.v.).  Also, 
as  subs.  =  (i)  HEAT  (y.v.),  and 
(2)  =  the  act  of  kind ;  as  verb  = 
to  copulate  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 
Whence  SALT-CELLAR  =  the  fe- 
male pudendum :  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE ;  and  SALT- WATER  = 
urine. 

1598.  FLORID,    Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Esser  in  frega,  to  be  proud  or  SALT 
as  a  bitch,  or  a  catterwalling  as  cats. 

1599.  JONSON,  Ev,  Man  Out  of  His 
Humour,  iv.  4.     Let  me  perish,  but  them 
art  a  SALT  one.    Ibid.  (1605),  Fox,  ii.  i. 
It  is  no  SALT  desire  Of  seeing  countries 
.  .  .  hath  brought  me  out. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  iv.  i.  He  lies 
wallowing  .  .  .  on  his  brothel -bed  Till  his 
SALT  bowels  boile  with  poisonous  fire. 

1602.  SHAKSPEARE,  Othello,  ii.  i, 
244.  For  the  better  compassing  of  his 
SALT  and  most  hidden  loose  affection. 
Ibid.  (1608),  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  ii.  i. 
All  the  charms  of  love,  SALT  Cleopatra, 
soften  thy  wan  lip. 

1607.  TOPSELL,  Beasts,  139.  Then 
they  grow  SALT,  and  begin  to  be  proud. 

1647-8.  HERRICK,  Parting  Verse 
\_Hesperides,  186].  The  expressions  of  that 
itch  And  SALT  which  frets  thy  suters. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  202.  It  is 
not  fit  the  silent  beard  should  know  how 
much  it  has  been  abus'd  .  .  .  for,  if  it  did 
it  would  .  .  .  make  it  open  its  sluice  to 
the  drowning  of  the  low  countries  in  an 
inundation  of  SALT-WATER. 

2.  (colloquial). — Costly;  heavy; 
extravagant :  generic  for  excess  : 
e.g.,  AS  SALT  AS  FIRE  =  as  salt 
as  may  be.  Also  SALTY. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life,  142. 
Well,  that  thar  was  a  SALTY  scrape,  boys. 

1887.  Fun,  21  Sept.,  126.  A  magis- 
trate who  was  lately  fined  2os.  for  striking 
a  man  in  the  street,  seemed  somewhat 
astonished  on  hearing  the  decision,  and 
remarked,  "It's  rather  SALT." 

Verb,  (common).— To  swindle  : 
specifically  to  cheat  by  fictitiously 
enhancing  value;  e.g.,  to  SALT 
books  =  (i)  to  make  bogus  entries 
showing  extensive  and  profitable 


Salt. 


97 


Salt-box. 


business  ;  to  SALT  an  invoice  = 
to  charge  extreme  prices  so  as  to 
permit  an  apparently  liberal  dis- 
count ;  to  SALT  a  mine  =  to 
sprinkle  (or  PLANT,  q.v.)  a  worn- 
out  or  bogus  property  with  gold 
dust,  diamonds,  &c.,  with  a 
view  to  good  sales,  and  so  forth. 
Hence  SALTER  =  a  fraudulent 
vendor. 

1872.  Civil  Service  Gaz.,  28  Dec. 
The  magnificent  Californian  diamond  fields 
are  nowhere  .  .  .  only  SALTED  with 
diamonds  and  rubies  bought  in  England, 
according  to  the  well-known  process  of 

SALTING. 

1883.  PAYN,  Canon's  Ward,  xlviii. 
Your  two  friends  had  .  .  .  been  SALTING 
the  mine.  There  is  a  warrant  out  for 
Dawson's  apprehension  on  a  much  more 
serious  charge. 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  22  Sept.  One 
of  the  first  to  practise  the  art  of  SALTING 
sham  goldfields. 

1892.  PERCY  CLARKE,  New  Chum  in 
Australia,  72.  A  SALTED  claim,  a  pit 
sold  for  a  £10  note,  in  which  a  nugget 
worth  a  few  shillings  had  before  been 
planted. 

1 894.  Pall  Mall  Gaz. ,  22  Dec.  '  The 
art  of  SALTING  a  mine'  [Title].  Ibid. 
Even  experienced  mining  men  and  engi- 
neers have  been  made  victims  by  SALTERS. 

^.1901.  BRET  HARTE  ....  And 
the  tear  of  sensibility  has  SALTED  many  a 
claim. 

2.  (American  colloquial). — To 
be-jewell  profusely:  see  sense  I, 

TO  SALT  A  MINE. 

1873.  Times,  20  Jan.  '  WELL 
SALTED.'  An  American  paper  states  that 
Colorado  ladies  wearing  much  jewelry  are 
said  to  be  WELL  SALTED. 

3.  (old).  —  See  quot. 

1636.  [MARTIN,  Life  q/  First  Lord 
Shaftesbury,  i.  42].  On  a  particular  day, 
the  senior  undergraduates  in  the  evening 
called  the  freshmen  to  the  fire,  and  made 
them  hold  out  their  chins ;  whilst  one  of 
the  seniors  with  the  nail  of  his  thumb 
(which  was  left  long  for  that  purpose) 
grated  off  all  the  skin  from  the  Up  to  the 
chin,  and  then  obliged  him  to  drink  a  beer 
glass  of  water  and  SALT. 


1850.     Notes  and  Queries,  i  S.,  i.  390. 
College  SALTING  and  Tucking  of  Fresh- 


PHRASES.— WITH  A  GRAIN  OF 
SALT  =  under  reserve  :  Lat.  ; 
NOT  WORTH  ONE'S  SALT  =  un- 
worthy  of  hire ;  TO  EAT  ONE'S 
SALT  =  to  be  received  as  a  guest 
or  under  protection  :  SALT  also 
=  hospitality ;  TO  PUT  (CAST,  or 

LAY)    SALT    ON    THE     TAIL  =  to 

ensnare,  to  achieve :  as  children 
are  told  to  catch  birds  ;  TO  COME 

AFTER  WITH   SALT  AND  SPOONS 

('  of  one  that  is  none  of  the 
Hastings,'  B.  E.)  ;  MAN  OF  SALT 
=  a  man  of  tears. 

1580.  LVLY,  Euphues  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,  i.  607.  Among  the  verbs  are 

.   .    .    LAY  SALT  ON  A  BIRD'S  TAILE]. 

1608-11.  HALL,  Epistles,  Dec.  i., 
Ep.  8.  Abandon  those  from  your  table 
and  SALT  whom  .  .  .  experience  shall 
descrie  dangerous 

1664.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  n.  i.  278. 
Such  great  atchievements  cannot  fail  To 

CAST  SALT  ON  A  WOMAN'S  TAIL. 

1809.  WELLINGTON  [GLEIG,  Life, 
702],  The  real  fact  is  ...  I  have  EATEN 
the  King's  SALT.  On  that  account  I 
believe  it  to  be  my  duty  to  serve  without 
hesitation  .  .  . 

1824.  SCOTT,  Redgauntlet,  xi.  Were 
you  coming  near  him  with  soldiers,  or 
constables  .  .  .  you  will  never  LAY  SALT 
ON  HIS  TAIL. 

1854.  DICKENS,  Hard  Times,  xvii. 
He  is  a  dissipated  extravagant  idler  ;  he 

is    NOT    WORTH    HIS    SALT.      Ibid.    (1861), 

Great  Expectations,  iv.     Plenty  of  sub- 
jects going  about  for  them  that  know  how 

TO  PUT  SALT  UPON  THEIR  TAILS. 

1855.  THACKERAY,    Newcomes,     v. 
One  does  not  EAT  A  MAN'S  SALT  as  it  were 
at  these  dinners.     There  is  nothing  sacred 
in  this  kind  of  London  hospitality. 

SALT-BOX,  subs,  (thieves'). — A 
prison  cell :  specifically  (Newgate) 
=  the  condemned  cell  (GROSE, 
VAUX).  Fr.  abattoir. 

G 


Salt-box-cly. 


Sam. 


1820.  London  Mag.,  i.  29.  Leaving 
the  stone-jug  after  a  miserable  residence  in 
the  SALT-BOXES,  to  be  topp'd  in  front  of 
the  debtors'  door. 

SALT-BOX-CLY,  subs.  phr.  (Old 
Cant). — An  outside  pocket  with 
a  flap  (GROSE,  VAUX). 

SALTEE  (or  SAULTY),  subs,  (theatri- 
cal).— A  penny  :  see  RHINO. 

1861.  READE,  Cloister  and  Hearth, 
Iv.  It  had  rained  kicks  all  day  in  lieu  of 
SALTEES. 

1875.  FROST,  Circus  Life,  306. 
SAULTY  may  be  derived  from  the  Italian 
soldi,  and  duey  SAULTY  and  tray  SAULTY 
are  also  of  foreign  origin. 

SALT- EEL,  subs.  phr.  (old  naval). — 
A  rope's-end;  TO  HAVE  SALT- 
EEL  FOR  suppER=to  be  thrashed 
(B.  E.,  GROSE). 

1695.     CONGREVE,  Love  for  Love,  iii. 

?.     Ben.   An'  he  comes  near  me,  may  hap 
may  giv'n  A  SALT  EEL  FOR'S  SUPPER  for 
all  that. 

1752.  SMOLLETT,  Per.  Pickle,  xl. 
If  so  be  as  how  you  have  a  mind  to  give 
him  a  SALT-EEL  FOR  SUPPER. 


SALT-HORSE  (or  SALT-JUNK),  subs, 
phr.  (nautical). — Salt  beef:  also 
OLD-HORSE  (or  -JUNK)  which  see. 

1837.  MARRYATT,  Snarley  Vow, 
xii.  So  while  they  cut  their  raw  SALT 
JUNKS,  with  beef  you  will  be  crammed. 

1874.  SCAMMON,  Marine  Mammals, 
123.  Substantial  fare  called  SALT-HORSE 
and  hard-tack. 

1880.  Blackivood's  Mag.,  Jan.,  59. 
'  Let  me  give  you  some  SALT  JUNK.'  John 
was  hungry,  and  rather  enjoyed  the  salt 
beef. 

1884.  RUSSELL,  Jack's  Courtship,  i. 
SALT-HORSE  works  out  of  the  pores. 

SALTIM BANCO,  subs,  (showmen's). 
— A  street  clown  ;  A  JIM  CROW  ; 
A  BILLY  BARLOW.  Fr.  pitre. 

SALT  RIVER,  subs. phr.  (American). 
— See  quots. 


1848.  BARTLETT,  Diet,  [quoting  J. 
INMAN],  To  ROW  UP  SALT  RIVER  .  .  . 
there  is  a  small  stream  of  that  name  in 
Kentucky  .  .  .  difficult  and  laborious  by 
its  tortuous  course  as  by  shallows  and 
bars.  The  application  is  to  the  unhappy 
wight  who  has  the  task  of  propelling  the 
boat  up  the  stream  ;  but,  in  political  or 
slang  usage,  it  is  to  those  who  are  rowed 
up. 

c.  1 86  [?].  Burial  of  Uncle  Sam  [quoted 
by  DE  VERB].  "  We  thought  .  .  .  That 
Sag-Nichts  and  strangers  would  tread  o'er 
his  head,  And  we  up  the  SALT  RIVER 
billows." 

1871.  DE  VERE,  Americanisms,  .  .  . 
It  has  become  a  universal  cant  phrase  to 
say,  that  an  unlucky  wight,  who  has  failed 
to  be  elected  to  some  public  office,  was 
ROWED  UP  SALT  RIVER.  If  very  grievously 
defeated,  they  were  apt  to  be  ROWED  UP 
TO  THE  VERY  HEADWATERS  OF  SALT 
RIVER. 

1877.  New  York  Tribune,  28  Feb. 
Put  away  his  empty  barrel ;  Fold  his 
Presidential  clothes  ;  He  has  started  up 
SALT  RIVER,  Led  and  lit  by  Cronin's  nose. 

SALTS  -  AND  -  SENNA,  subs.  phr. 
(common).  —  A  doctor  :  see 
TRADES. 

SALUBRIOUS,  adj.  (common). — i. 
Drunk :  see  SCREWED  ;  (2)  = 
*  Pretty  well,  thank  you.' 

SALVE,  subs,   (common). — Praise; 

GAMMON   (q.V.)'.  cf.    LlP-SALVE. 

SAM,  subs,  (provincial). — A  Liver- 
pudlian :  also  DICKY  SAM. 

To  STAND  SAM,  verb.  phr. 
(common). — To  pay  the  shot; 
TO  TREAT  (q.V.). 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
iii.  5.  Landlady,  serve  them  with  a  glass 
of  tape,  all  round  ;  and  I'll  STAND  SAMMY. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rook-wood,  iv.  ii. 
I  must  insist  upon  STANDING  SAM  upon 
the  present  occasion. 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jack,  123. 
He  had  perforce  to  STAND  SAM  for  the 
lot. 

1885.  BLACK,  White  Heather,  xxxii. 
There's  plenty  ready  TO  STAND  SAM,  now 
that  Ronald  is  kent  as  a  writer  o"  poetry. 


Sambo. 


99 


Sand. 


1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Good-Night, 
2.  Likewise  you  molls  that  flash  your 
bubs  For  Swells  to  spot  and  STAND  YOU 
SAM. 

1890.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  8  Feb.  I'll 
STAND  SAM  for  a  week  at  Brighton  for 
both  of  us. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  36. 
If  sometimes  P.  J.  do  STAND  SAM,  why  I 
ain't  one  to  give  myself  hairs. 

SAMBO,  subs.  (old). — A  negro  : 
generic  :  ^.  1558  (ARBER,  Garner, 
v.  95)  a  tribe  of  Africans  is  called 
SAMBOSES. 

1862.  Punch,  Aug..  Jon.  Appeal. 
Now,  SAMBO,  darn  it  ...  You  know  how 
we  in  airnest  air,  From  slavery  to  ease  you. 

SAMMY  (or  SAMMY-SOFT),  subs, 
phr.  (common). — A  fool  :  see 
BUFFLE.  Also  as  adj.  =  foolish 
(GROSE). 

1837.  PEAKE,  Quarter  to  Nine,  2. 
What  a  SAMMY,  give  me  a  shilling  more 
than  I  axed  him  ! 

1843.  MONCRIEFF,  Scamps  of  Lon- 
don, ii.  i.  I'm  a  ruined  homo,  a  muff,  a 
flat,  a  SAM,  a  regular  ass. 

SAMPLE,  verb,  (common).— i.  To 
drink  :  see  LUSH.  Hence 
SAMPLE-ROOM  =  a  drinking  bar. 

1847.  PORTER,  Quarter  Race,  118. 
Old  T.  never  SAMPLES  too  much  when  on 
business. 

i8[?].  H.  PAUL,  World  Upside 
Down  [BARTLETT].  John  opened  a 
SAMPLE- ROOM,  and  served  out  beer  and  gin. 

2.  (venery). — To     fumble,     or 
occupy  a  woman  for  the  first  time. 

SAMPLE-COUNT,  s«fo.  (commercial). 
— A  traveller ;  an  AMBASSADOR 

OF   COMMERCE  (q.V.}. 

1894.  EGERTON,   Keynotes,  72.     An 
ubiquitous  SAMPLE-COUNT  from  Berlin  is 
measuring  his  wits  with  a  ...  merchant. 

SAMPLE  OF  SIN,  subs. phr.  (old). — 
A  harlot :  see  TART. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  105.  That  delicate  SAMPLE  OF 
SIN,  who  depends  on  her  wantonness  for 
her  attractions. 


SAMPLER,  subs,  (venery).  —  The 
female  ptidendum :  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE. 

SAMSON  (or  SAMPSON),  subs. 
(common). — i.  A  drink  made  of 
brandy,  cider,  sugar,  and  a  little 
water  (HALLIWELL). 

2.  (Durham  School).  — A  baked 
jam  pudding. 

SAMSON  AND  ABEL,  subs.  phr. 
(Oxford  University). — A  group  of 
wrestlers  in  the  quadrangle  of 
Brasenose.  [Some  said  it  repre- 
sented Samson  killing  a  Phili- 
stine ;  others  Cain  killing  Abel : 
the  matter  was  compromised.] 

SAMSON'S-POSTS,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon). —  A  mousetrap  so  con- 
structed that  the  capture  is  crushed 
to  death. 

SAND,  subs,  (old).— i.  Moist  sugar 
(GROSE,  VAUX). 

2.  (American). — See  quots. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life,  73.  He 
set  his  brain  to  work  conning  a  most 
powerful  speech,  one  that  would  knock  the 
SAND  from  under  Hoss. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huck.  Finn,  viii. 
When  I  got  to  camp  I  warn't  feeling  very 
brash,  there  warn't  much  SAND  in  my 
craw  ;  but  I  says,  this  ain't  no  time  to  be 
fooling  around. 

1892.  J.  L.  HILL,  Treason- Felony, 
22.  You're  a  long-winded  old  fraud,  Mac, 
with  a  bonnet  full  of  bees,  and  a  head  full 
of  maggots,  but  you've  got  the  SAND. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  19. 
SAND  enough  and  money  enough  to  sit  out 
the  game. 

To  EAT  SAND,  verb.  phr.  (old). 
— See  quot. 

1743.  Memoirs  of  M.  du  Gue-Trouin 
(2nd  ed.),  95.  Now  it  is  very  common  for 
the  man  at  the  helm  to  shorten  his  watch 
by  turning  the  glass  before  it  is  quite  run 
out,  which  is  called  EATING  OF  SAND  .  .  . 
as  we  had  not  seen  the  sun  for  nine  days 


Sandbag. 


100 


Sandy-pate. 


together  ...  it  happened,  that  the  helms- 
men had  EATEN  so  MUCH  SAND,  that  at 
the  end  of  nine  days  they  had  changed  the 
day  into  night,  and  the  night  into  day. 

SANDBAG,  subs,  (thieves').  —  i.  A 
long  sausage-like  bag  of  sand 
dealing  a  heavy  blow  that  leaves 
no  mark.  Also  as  verd.,  and 

SANDBAGGER. 

1895.  POCOCK,  Rules  of  the  Game, 
II.  vii.  The  other  burglar,  who  looked 
like  a  mechanic,  had  now  come  up  behind, 
and  was  brandishing  a  SAND-BAG. 

2.  (military).  —  In  pi.  =  The 
Grenadier  Guards.  Also  OLD 
EYES,  COALHEAVERS,  HOUSE- 
MAIDS' PETS,  and  BERMUDA 
EXILES 


SANDBOY.  As  HAPPY  (JOLLY  or 
MERRY)  AS  A  SANDBOY,  phr. 
(old).  —  'All  rags  and  all  happi- 
ness ...  a  merry  fellow  who 
has  tasted  a  drop  '  (BEE). 

1840.  DICKENS,  Old  Cur.  Shop, 
xvii.  I  put  up  at  the  JOLLY  SANDBOYS, 
and  nowhere  else. 

1900.  BOOTHBY,  Maker  of  Nations, 
iv.  He  had  had  a  fairly  rough  time  of  it, 
but  the  men  seemed  as  jolly  as  SANDBOYS. 

SAN  DGATE-  RATTLE,       Subs.      phr. 

(provincial).  —  A  quick  and  violent 
stamping  dance. 

SAND-  MAN  (or  SANDY-  MAN),  subs. 
phr.  (nursery).  —  When  sleepy 
children  begin  to  rub  their  eyes 
'THE  SAND-MAN  (or  DUSTMAN) 
is  COMING.' 

SANDPAPER,  verb,  (common).  —  See 
quots. 

1889.  Answers,  9  Feb.  "  You  will 
have  to  enact  three  parts  in  the  '  Silent 
Foe'  to-night."  "Can't  do  it,"  said 
Lancaster,  "and  I  hope  to  be  SAND- 
PAPERED if  I  try." 


1901.  D.  Telegraph,  14  May,  10,  7. 
Let  the  American  grass-widow  with  the 
broad  and  exasperating  accent,  which  she 
takes  no  pains  to  SANDPAPER,  be  reduced 
to  a  minimum. 

SANDWICH,  subs,  (common). — i. 
See  quots.  :  also  SANDWICH  MAN  : 
see  TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE. 

1836.  DICKENS,  Boz,  147.  He 
stopped  the  unstamped  advertisement — an 
ANIMATED  SANDWICH,  composed  of  a  boy 
between  two  boards. 

1880.  Scribner's  Mag.,  Aug.,  607. 
The  double  sign-boards,  or  SANDWICHES 
[incorrectly  used]  which  conceal  his  body. 
Ibid.,  609.  The  SANDWICH-MAN  carries  in 
glass  cases  sample  boots,  sample  shirts,  &c. 

2.  (common).  —  A  gentleman 
between  two  ladies  :  cf.  BODKIN  ; 
THORN  BETWEEN  TWO  ROSES, 
&c.  Fr.  dne  a  deux  pannieres. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair, 
Iviii.  A  pale  young  man  .  .  .  came  walk- 
ing down  the  lane  EN  SANDWICH — having  a 
lady,  that  is,  on  each  arm. 

Verb,  (colloquial). — To  insert 
between  dissimilars. 

1886.  Referee,  18  April.  These  pro- 
ceedings were  SANDWICHED  with  vocal 
and  instrumental  selections. 

SANDWICH -BOAT.     See  BUMPING- 

RACE. 

SANDY,  subs.  (Scots'  colloquial). — 
A  Scot :  short  for  Alexander. 

1500.  DUNBAR,  Works  [PATERSON], 
251  [OlJPHAifT,  New  Eng.,  i.  362.  Alex- 
ander appears  as  SANDY  ;  Englishmen  on 
the  other  hand,  dock  the  last  half  of  the 
Greek  word,  and  make  it  A  licK\. 

^.1555.  LYNDSAY,  Kitty's  Confessioun 
[LAING],  i.  136.  Ane  plack  I  will  gar 
SANDY,  Gie  the  agane  with  Handie- 
Dandie. 

1885.  Sportsman,  28  July,  2,  i. 
Scotland  has  been  troubled  by  a  great  and 
mighty  heat,  which  has  scorched  SANDY'S 
brow  and  burnt  the  colour  out  of  his  kilt. 

SANDY-PATE,  subs.  (old). — 'One 
re4-hair'd'  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 


Sangaree. 


101 


Sard. 


SANGAREE,     subs.     (old).  —  i.  A 
drunken  bout  (HALLIWELL). 

SANGUINARY  JAMES. 


SANK    (SANKY,    or    CENTIPERS), 

subs.  (old).  —  A  soldiers'  tailor 
(GROSE)  :  whence  SANK-WORK 
(see  quot). 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lon.  Lab.,  i.  377. 
She's  gone  almost  as  blind  as  myself  work- 
ing at  the  SANK  WORK  (making  up  soldiers' 
clothing). 

SAP  (SAPHEAD,  SAP-PATE,  or 
SAPSCULL),  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A 
fool  :  see  BUFFLE.  Whence 

SAPPY  (or  SAPHEADED,  &C.  )  = 
foolish  ;  namby-pamby  ;  lazy 
(B.  E.,  DYCHE,  MARTIN,  GROSE, 
BEE). 

1665.  HEAD,  English  Rogue  (1874), 
I.  v.  48.  Culle  a  SAP-HEADED  fellow. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xlviii. 
"  They're  sporting  the  door  of  the  Custom- 
house, and  the  auld  SAP  at  Hazlewood 
House  has  ordered  off  the  guard."  Ibid. 
(1817),  Rob  Roy,  xix.  He  maun  be  a  soft 

SAP. 

1840.  HALIBURTON,  Clockmaker,  3, 
v.  v.  Talkin'  cute,  looks  knavish  ;  but 
talkin'  soft,  looks  SAPPY. 

1856.  BRONTE,  Professor,  iv.  If  you 
are  patient  because  you  think  it  a  duty  to 
meet  an  insult  with  submission,  you  are  an 
essential  SAP. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huck.  Finn,  iii. 
You  don't  seem  to  know  anything,  some- 
how —  perfect  SAP-HEAD. 

1886.  The  State,   20  May,   217.     A 
SAP-HEAD  is  a  name  for  a  fool. 

1887.  BRET  HARTE,  Cons,  of  Excel- 
sior, n.  i.     These  SAP-HEADED  fools. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  70. 
Sour  old  SAP. 

2.  (common).  —  A  hard  worker: 
(school)  a  diligent  student  ;  a 
HASH  (Charterhouse).  Also  as 
verb.  =  to  read  hard  ;  to  SWOT. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  ii.  When  I 
once  attempted  to  read  Pope's  poems  out 
of  school  hours,  I  was  laughed  at,  and 
called  a  SAP. 


1848.  KINGSLEY,  Yeast,  i.  SAPPING 
and  studying  still. 

1850.  S MEDLEY,  Frank  Fairlegh, 
117.  They  pronounced  me  an  incorrigible 
SAP. 

1853.  LYTTON,  My  Novel,  i.  xii.  He 
was  sent  to  school  to  learn  his  lessons,  and 
he  learns  them.  You  calls  that  SAPPING— 
I  call  it  doing  his  duty. 

1856.  WHYTE  -  MELVILLE,  Kate 
Coventry,  xvii.  At  school,  if  he  makes  an 
effort  at  distinction  in  school-hours,  he  is 
stigmatised  by  his  comrades  as  a  SAP. 

1888.  GOSCHEN,  Speech  at  Aberdeen, 
31  Jan.  Epithets  applied  to  those  who 
.  .  .  commit  the  heinous  offence  of  being 
absorbed  in  it  [work].  Schools  and  colleges 
.  .  .  have  invented  .  .  .  phrases,  semi- 
classical  or  wholly  vernacular,  such  as  a 
"SAP,"  "smug,"  "swot,"  "bloke,"  "a 
mugster." 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer  at  Cambridge, 
46.  I  ...  haven't  to  go  SAPPING  round 
to  get  it  when  I  want  my  own  tea. 

3.    (common).  —  Ale  :    see 
DRINKS.     Hence,  as  verb.  =  TO 

BOOZE   (q.V.):     SAPPY-DRINKING 

=  excessive  drinking. 

SAPPY,  adj.  (Durham  School). — i. 
Severe ;  of  a  caning. 

2.    See  SAP,  subs.  i. 

SARAHS,  subs.  (Stock  Exchange). 
— Manchester,  Sheffield,  and 
Lincoln  Deferred  Stock. 

SARAH'S  BOOTS,  subs.  phr.  (Stock 
Exchange). — Sierra  Buttes  Gold 
Mining  Co.'s  Shares. 

SARD,  verb,  (old).— To  copulate  : 
see  GREENS  and  RIDE. 

1539.  LYNDSAY,  Thrie  Estaitis 
[LAING],  3027,  8.  Quhilk  will,  for  purging 
of  their  neirs  SARD  up  ae  raw,  and  doun 
the  uthir. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes 
s.v.  Fottere.  To  iape,  to  SARD,  to  fucke, 
to  swive,  to  occupye. 

1617.  HOWELL,  Letters,  17.  Go, 
teach  your  grandam  TO  SARD,  a  Notting- 
ham proverb. 


Sardine. 


IO2 


Sauce. 


SARDINE,  subs.  (American).  —  i. 
A  sailor  :  spec,  an  old  whaling 
hand.  [The  living  space  on  board 
a  whaler  is  limited.]  Whence  (2) 
one  of  the  crowd  :  see  HERRING. 
PACKED  LIKE  SARDINES  =  hud- 
dled. 

£.184  [?].  New  Haven,  J.  C.  [BART- 
LETT].  We  '  Old  Whalers,"  or  as  we  are 
sometimes  called  'SARDINES.' 

3.  (Stock   Exchange). — In  pi. 
—  Royal  Sardinian  Ry.  Shares. 

SARK,  verb.  (Sherborne  School). — 
To  sulk. 

SASSENGER  (or  SASSIGER),  subs. 
(vulgar). — A  sausage. 

SATAN'S  BONES.    See  BONES. 
SATCHEL-ARSED.     See  ARSE. 

SATE- POLL,  subs.  phr.  (common). — 
A  stupid  person  :  see  BUFFLE. 

SATIN.    See  WHITE  SATIN. 

SATURDAY  •  NIGHTER,  subs.  phr. 
(Harrow  School). — An  exercise 
set  for  Saturday  night. 

SATURDAY-SCAVENGER  (or  -SCARA- 
MOUCH. See  WEEKLY  SCARI- 
FIER. 

SATURDAY- SOLDIER,  sitbs.  phr. 
(common). — A  volunteer. 

1890.  Globe,  ii  Aug.,  3,  2.  A  slight 
selection  of  the  epithets  which  he  showered 
on  the  citizen  defender  :  "  Catshooter," 
SATURDAY  SOLDIER. 

SATURDAY-TO- MONDAY,  subs. phr. 
(colloquial).  —  i.  A  week-end 
jaunt  ;  and  (2)  a  week-end 
woman. 

SATYR,  subs.  (Old  Cant).  —  A 
cattle-thief. 


SAUCE  (SARSE.  SASS,  or  SAUCI- 
NESS),  subs,  (colloquial).  —  i. 
Impudence ;  assurance  (see  quot. 
1555).  Hence  SAUCY  (adj.)  = 
(i)  impudent,  bold,  presuming; 
and  (2)  SMART  (q.v.)  ;  as  verb. 
(or  TO  EAT  SAUCE)  =  to  abuse, 

TO      LIP        (q.V.)  ;        SAUCE-BOX 
(SAUCE  -  PATE,      SAUCELING,      or 

SAUCE-JACK)  =  an  impertinent  : 
see  JACK-SAUCE  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 

^.1529.  <S>viKi^o^,BowgeofCourte,']\. 
To  be  so  perte  .  .  .  she  sayde  she  trowed 
that  I  had  ETEN  SAUCE  ;  she  asked  yf  euer 

I  DRANKE  Of  SAUCYS  CUPPE.      Ibid.,  Mag- 

nyfycence,  1421.     Ye  haue  ETEN  SAUCE,  I 
trowe,  at  the  Taylors  Hall. 

^.1555.  LATIMER,  Sermons,  182. 
When  we  see  a  fellow  sturdy,  loftie,  and 
proud,  men  say,  this  is  a  SAUCY  fellow 
.  .  .  whiche  taketh  more  upon  him  than 
he  ought  to  doe.  Ibid.  He  that  will  be 
a  Christian  man  .  .  .  must  be  a  SAUSIE 
fellow  :  he  must  be  well  powdered  with  the 
SAUSE  of  affliction. 

1587.  STANIHURST,  Desc.  of  Ireland, 
i.  13.     Ineptus\s  as  much  in  English,  in 
my  phantasie,  as  SAUCIE  or  malapert. 

1 588.  Marfirelate's  Epistle  (ARBER), 
6.     This  is  a  pretie  matter  yat  slanders  by 
must  be  so  busie  in  other  men's  games : 
why  SAWCEBONES  must  you  be  pratling  ? 

1594.  TYLNEY,  Lochrine,  iii.  3.  You, 
master  SAUCEBOX,  lobcock,  cockscomb. 

1595.  SHAKSPEARB,      Romeo     and 
Juliet,  ii.  4,  153.     What  SAUCY  merchant 
was  this,  that  was  so  full  of  his  ropery? 
Ibid,  (1596),  As  You  Like  It,  iii.  5.     I'll 
SAUCE  her  with  bitter  words.    Ibid.  (1600), 
Merry  Wives,  iv.  3.     I'll  make  them  pay  : 
I'll  SAUCE  them.     Ibid.,  Lear  (1605),  i.  i. 
This  knave  came  somewhat  SAUCILY  into 
the  world  before  he  was  sent  for. 

1598.  LAYDOCK,  Lomatius  on  Paint- 
ing \N  &KE.?,~\.  Nothing  can  deterre  these 
SAUCIE  doultes  from  this  their  dizardly  in- 
humanite. 

1614.  JONSON,  Barth.  Fair.  The 
reckonings  for  them  are  so  SAUCY,  that  a 
man  had  as  good  licke  his  fingers  in  a  baudy 
house. 

1620.  FLETCHER,  Philaster,  ii.  i. 
They  were  grown  too  SAUCY  for  himself. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  i.  113.  JACK 
SAWCE,  the  worst  knave  amongst  the 
pack. 


Sauce. 


103 


Sauce. 


1638.  PEACHAM,  Truth  of  Our 
Times.  In  Queene  Elizabeth's  time  were 
the  great  bellied  doublets,  wide  SAWCY 
sleeves,  that  would  be  in  every  dish  before 
their  masters. 

1663.  KILI.EGREW,  Parson's  Wed- 
ding, iii.  Why,  goodman  SAUCE-BOX, 
you  will  not  make  my  lady  pay  for  their 
reckoning,  will  you  ? 

1689.  Satyr  Against  Hypocrites 
[NARES].  Then,  full  of  SAWCE  and  zeal, 
up  steps  Elnathan. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  \.  \.  28. 
No  SAUCEBOX,  sure,  by  way  of  Farce, 
Will  bid  his  Pastor  Kiss  his  Arse. 

1732.  FIELDING,  Mock  Doctor,  2. 
What  s  that  to  you,  SAUCE-BOX  ?  Is  it  any 
business  of  yours. 

1839.  AINSWORTH,  Jack  SJieppard, 
ii.  xii.  How  do  you  like  your  quarters, 
SAUCEBOX?  asked  Sharpies,  in  a  'eering 
tone. 

c.i 838.     East  End  Tailor's  Broadside 
Advt.     Kicksies  made  very  SAUCY. 

1843.  MONCRIEFF,  Scamps  of  Lon- 
don, iii.  i.  I've  got  a  SARCY  pair. 

1856-7.  ELIOT,  Amos  Barton,  vii. 
Nanny  .  .  .  secretly  chuckled  over  her 
outburst  of  SAUCE  as  the  best  morning's 
work  she  had  ever  done. 

1862.  LOWELL,  Biglow  Papers. 
We  begin  to  think  it's  nater  To  take 
SARCE,  and  not  be  riled. 

^.1871.    Siliad,  17.    Yankee  impudence 
and  SASS. 

1890.  M.  Advertiser,  4  Nov.  The 
witness  denied  that  she  SAUCED  him  or 
that  she  was  drunk. 

1897.  MAUGHAM,  Liza  of  Lambeth, 
xi.  I  won't  kill  yer,  but  if  I  'ave  any 
more  of  your  SAUCE,  I'll  do  the  next  thing 
to  it. 

2.  (old  :  now  American).  — 
Vegetables  :  whence  GARDEN- 
SAUCE  =  a  salad  ;  LONG-SAUCE 
=  carrots,  parsnips,  beet,  &c.  ; 
SHORT-SAUCE  =  potatoes,  turnips, 
onions,  &c.  Whence  any  acces- 
sory or  sequel. 

1705.  BEVERLEY,  Hist,  of  Virginia. 
Roots,  herbs,  vine  fruits,  and  salad  flowers 
.  .  .  very  delicious  SAUCE  to  their  meats. 


1833.  NEAL,  Down  Easters,  vii.  91. 
That  am't  the  kind  o'  SARSE  I  wanted, 
puddin'  gravy  to  corn-fish  !  .  .  .  I  wanted 
cabbage  or  potaters,  or  most  any  sort  o' 
garden  SARSE. 

184  [?].  Widow  Bedott  Papers,  88. 
If  I  should  stay  away  to  tea  .  .  .  don't 
be  a  lettin"  into  the  plum  SASS  and  cake  as 
you  did  the  other  day. 

3.  (venery).— Pox  (q.v.)  or 
CLAP  (q.V.). 

1697.  VANBRUGH,  Provok'd  Wife, 
iv.  3.  I  hope  your  punks  will  give  you 
SAUCE  to  your  mutton. 

3.  (old). — Money  :  see  RHINO. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  £Ias(rBi2),  i. 
ii.  Having  paid  SAUCE  for  a  supper  which 
I  had  so  ill  digested.  Ibid.,  n.  vii.  Hav- 
ing breakfasted,  and  paid  SAUCE  for  my 
good  cheer,  I  made  but  one  stage  to 
Segovia. 

PHRASES. — To  SERVE  WITH 
THE  SAME  SAUCE  =  to  minister 
or  retaliate  in  kind;  'WHAT'S 
SAUCE  FOR  THE  GOOSE  IS  SAUCE 
FOR  THE  GANDER  '  =  TIT-FOR- 

TAT  (q.v.}\  CARRIER'S-  (or  POOR 
MAN'S-)  SAUCE  =  hunger  :  cf. 
'  Hunger  is  the  best  SAUCE  ' ; 
'  MORE  SAUCE  THAN  PIG'  = 
'exceeding  bold'  (B.  E.). 

1609.  Man  in  the  Moone  [NARES]. 
After  him  another  came  unto  her,  and 
SERVED  her  WITH  THE  SAME  SAUCE  :  then 
a  third  ;  at  last  she  began  to  wax  warie. 

1700.  COLLIER,  Short  Def.  of  Short 
View,  37.  THAT'S  SAWCE  FOR  A  GOOSE 

IS  SAWCE  FOR  A  GANDER. 

1703.  WARD,  Land.  Spy  [NARES]. 
If  be  had  been  strong  enough  I  dare  swear 
he  would'  have  SERV'D  him  THE  SAME 

SAUCE. 

1 708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
ii.  Neverout  {giving  Miss  a  pinch  (in 
return)}.  Take  that,  Miss  ;  WHAT'S 
SAUCE  FOR  A  GOOSE  is  FOR  A  GANDER. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  367,  s.v.  SAUCE  FOR  GOOSE, 

SAUCE  FOR  GANDER. 

1896.  COTSFORD  DICK,  Way  of 
World,  44.  Let  the  SAUCE  good  FOR  THE 
GANDER  Then  be  seasoned,  without 
slander,  FOR  THE  GOOSE  ! 


Saucepan. 


104 


Save. 


SAUCEPAN.  To  HAVE  THE  SAUCE- 
PAN ON  THE  FIRE,  verb.  phr. 
(old). — To  be  set  on  a  scolding 
bout. 

THE  SAUCEPAN  RUNS  (or 
BOILS)  OVER,  phr.  (old).— 'You 
are  exceeding  bold.'  —  B.  E. 
(^.1696). 

SAUCEBOX,  subs,  (common). — The 
mouth. 

2.  See  SAUCE. 

SAUCERS,  subs,  (common). — Eyes  : 
spec,  large,  wide-opened  eyes : 
also  SAUCER-EYES. 

1509.  HALL,  Satires,  vi.  i.  Her 
eyes  like  silver  SAUCERS  faire  beset. 

1636.  SUCKLING,  Goblins,  iv.  Had 
we  no  walking  fire,  Nor  SAUCER-EYED 
devil  of  these  woods  that  led  us. 

1655.  MASSINGER,  A  Very  Woman, 
ii.  Upon  my  conscience,  she  would  see 
the  devil  first,  With  eyes  AS  BIG  AS 
SAUCERS  ;  when  I  but  named  you. 

1697.  VANBRUGH,  Relapse,  v.  3. 
Stare  you  in  the  face  with  huge  SAUCER- 
EYES. 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Peregrine  Pickle, 
xiii.  Damn'd  if  it  was  not  Davy  Jones 
himself.  I  know  him  by  his  SAUCER-EYES. 

1864.  MARK  LEMON,  Jest  Book,  185. 
I  always  know  when  he  has  been  in  his 
cups  by  the  state  of  his  SAUCERS. 

SAUCY  GREENS,  subs.  phr.  (mili- 
tary).— The  2nd  Bat.  Worcester 
Regiment,  formerly  the  Thirty- 
Sixth  Foot.  [From  the  facings 
1742-1881.] 

SAUCY-JACK.  See  SAUCY,  and 
JACK,  subs.)  sense  8. 

SAUCY  POMPEYS.  See  POMPA- 
DOURS. 

SAUCY  SIXTH  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(military). — The  Royal  Warwick- 
shires,  formerly  The  6th  Foot. 
Also  "Guise's  Geese";  and 
"The  Warwickshire  Lads." 


SAUCY    SEVENTH    (THE    OLD). — 

The  Seventh  (The  Queen's  Own) 
Hussars  (in  the  Peninsula)  :  also 
"  The  Lily-white  Seventh," 
"Young  Eyes,"  "Old  Straws," 
and  "  Strawboots." 

SAUNTER,  verb,  (old  :  now  recog- 
nised).—'To  loiter  Idly'  (B.  E.). 

SAUSAGE  (or  LIVE-SAUSAGE),  subs. 
(venery). — The/*iuV :  see  PRICK. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  xi. 
Some  of  the  other  women  would  give  these 
names,  my  Roger  .  .  .  my  lusty  LIVE 
SAUSAGE,  my  crimson  chitterling. 

i?59-67'  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy, 
ix.  7.  She  made  a  feint,  however,  of 
defending  herself  by  snatching  up  a 
SAUSAGE.  Tom  instantly  laid  hold  of 
another—  But  seeing  Tom's  had  more 
gristle  in  it — She  signed  the  capitulation — 
and  Tom  seal'd  it ;  and  there  was  an  end 
of  the  matter. 

SAVAGE  RODS,  adv.  (American). — 
Savage. 

1847.  PORTER,  Big  Bear,  121.  Well, 
Capting,  they  war  mighty   SAVAGEROUS 
arter  likher. 

1848.  BURTON,  Waggeries,  24.   They 
growed    so  darned    SAVAGEROUS   that    I 
kinder  feared  for  my  own  safety. 

c.i 852.     Traits  of  Amer.  Humour,  53. 
I  looked  at  him  sorter  SAVIGEROUS  like. 

SAVE,  verb,  (racing). — To  set  part 
of  one  bet  against  another ;  TO 
HEDGE  (q.v.).  [Two  persons 
back  different  horses  agreeing,  if 
either  wins,  to  give  the  other,  say 
;£5,  who  thus  SAVES  a  '  fiver.' 
Also,  as  in  pool,  to  SAVE  the 
stakes.  Likewise  to  keep  a 
certain  horse  on  one  side,  not 
betting  against  it,  SAVING  it  as  a 
clear  winner  for  oneself.  Hence 
SAVER  =  a  bet  so  made. 

1869.  EKADVfoOD,T/ieO.y./f.,xx. 
Most  who  received  the  news  at  least  SAVED 
themselves  upon  the  outsider. 


Save-all. 


105 


Sawdust. 


1891.  GOULD,  Double  Event,  301. 
The  fact  of  the  matter  was,  Kingdon  had 
determined  to  make  a  £10,000  book  for 
Mohican,  or,  in  other  words,  to  SAVE  that 
horse  to  run  for  him.  Ibid.,  123.  I've 
put  a  SAVER  on  Caloola. 

HANG  SAVING,  phr.  (old  collo- 
quial).— '  Blow  the  expense.' 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
ii.  Lord  Smart.  Come,  HANG  SAVING  : 
bring  us  a  Halfporth  of  Cheeze. 

See  BACON. 

SAVE-ALL,  subs.  phr.  (common). — 
A  stingy  person ;  a  miser  (GROSE). 

SAVERS,  inti.  (boys'). — '  Halves  ! ' 

SAVE -REVERENCE.  See  SIR- 
REVERENCE. 

SAVING-CHIN,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
projecting  chin  :  '  that  catches 
what  may  fall  from  the  nose '  : 
cf.  NUTCRACKERS  (GROSE). 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
56.  It  had  your  phizz  and  toothless  jaws, 
And  SAVING-CHIN  and  pimpl'd  nose. 

SAVEY  (or  SAVVY),  suds,  and  verb. 
(American). — i.  As  verb  =  to 
know ;  as  subs.  =  understanding ; 
wit;  NOUS  (?.».). 

1833.  CARMICHAEL,  West  Indies 
[BARTLETT].  When  I  read  these  stories, 
the  Negroes  looked  delighted,  and  said  : 
11  We  SAVEY  dat  well,  misses." 

1884.  Graphic,  18  Oct.,  418,  2. 
"  Because  no  can  SAVVEY  if  Chinaman 
like  it,"  was  the  answer. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xiv.  If  George  had  had  the  SAVEY 
to  crack  himself  up  a  little. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  n. 
Fur  too  much  SAVVY  to  frown. 

2.  (Pidgin).  —  To  have  ;  to 
know;  to  do;  and  all  the  other 
verbs  that  be. 

SAW,  sttbs.  (whist).— The  alternate 
trumping  by  two  partners  of  suits 
led  for  the  purpose ;  a  RUFF. 
Also  SEE-SAW,  and  as  verb. 


1755.  Connoisseur,  No.  60.  A  forces 
B,  who,  by  leading  Spades,  plays  into  A's 
hand,  who  returns  a  Club,  and  so  they  get 
to  a  SAW  between  them. 

2.  (American). — A  hoax  :  also 
as  adj.  and  verb.  Fr.  scie. 

1847.  PORTER,  Quarter  Race,  68. 
1  Running  a  SAW  '  on  a  French  gentleman. 

1847.  DARLEY,  Drama  in  Poter- 
ville,  68.  The  manager  was  SAWED,  as 
certainly  as  that  Mr.  Waters  was  not 
slain.  Ibid.  The  thoroughly  SAWED 
victim  made  way  for  him  as  if  he  had  been 
the  cholera  incarnate. 

SAW  YOUR  TIMBER  !  phr. 
(common).  — Be  off  !  Cut  your 
STICK  (q.V.). 

HELD  AT  THE  (or  A)  LONG 
SAW,  phr.  (old). — Held  in  sus- 
pense. 

1742.  NORTH,  Lord  Guildford,  \. 
148.  Between  the  one  and  the  other  he 

Was     HELD     AT     THE     LONG    SAW    OVCr    a 

month. 

SAWBONES,  subs,  (common). — A 
surgeon ;  FLESH-TAILOR  (q.v.). 

1836.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  xxx. 
'  What !  Don't  you  know  what  a  SAW- 
BONES is,  sir?'  inquired  Mr.  Weller.  'I 
thought  everybody  know'd  as  a  SAWBONES 
was  a  Surgeon.' 

1849-50.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis,  n. 
xviii.  She  has  taken  on  with  another  chap 
—another  SAWBONES. 

SAWDER  (or  SOFT-SAWDER),  subs. 
(common). — Soft  speech;  BLAR- 
NEY (q.v.). 

1853.  LYTTON,  My  Novel,  in.  xiii. 
You've  got  SOFT  SAWDER  enough. 

1863.  READE,  Hard  Cash,  xli.  She 
sent  in  a  note  explaining  who  she  was, 
with  a  bit  of  SOFT  SAWDER. 

1866.  ELIOT,  Felix  Holt,  xxi.  My 
Lord  Jermyn  seems  to  have  his  insolence 
as  ready  as  his  SOFT  SAWDER. 

1896.  ALLEN,  Tents  of  Shem,  x.  I 
didn't  try  bullying  ;  I  tried  SOFT  SAWDER. 

SAWDUST  (or  SAWDUSTY),  subs. 
(common). — I.  Humbug  :  also  as 
adj. 


Sawney. 


1 06 


Say-so. 


1884.  Punch,  ii  Oct.  Fancy,  old 
chump,  Me  doing  the  SAWDUSTY  reglar, 
and  follering  swells  on  the  stump. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  41. 
That's  true  poetry,  ain't  it  Not  SAWDUST 
and  snivel. 

2.   (American). — A  variety    of 
the  confidence  trick. 

1888.  Pittsburg  Times,  8  Feb.  He 
is  implicated  in  the  robbery  of  10,000 
dollars  from  William  Murdock  on  Satur- 
day a  week  ago.  Murdock  was  drawn 
into  a  SAWDUST  game  in  an  office  whose 
location  he  could  not  remember,  on  Grant 
street. 

1888.  New  Orleans  Times  Democrat, 
6  Feb.  The  prominent  men  you  speak  of 
are  never  at  the  front  in  any  of  these 
SAWDUST  transactions  .  .  .  The  courts  find 
it  very  difficult  to  send  a  man  to  State 
prison  for  this  kind  of  swindling,  and  the 
SAWDUST  man  who  fights  hard  is  generally 
certain  of  acquittal. 

SAWNEY  (or  SAWNY),  subs.  (old). 
— i.  A  lout :  see  BUFFLE  (B.  E.). 
As  adj.  =  stupid. 

1567.  EDWARDS,  Damon  and Pithias 
[DODSLEV,  Old  Plays  (HAZLITT),  iv.  74]. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  566.  A  servant 
speaks  French  to  astonish  a  friend,  and 
calls  him  petit  ZAWNE  (zany  or  sawny).  ] 

1871.  MRS.  H.  WOOD,  Dene  Hollow, 
viii.  That  wench  Pris  .  .  .  she's  a  regular 
SAWNEY,  though,  in  some  things. 

1873.  Miss  BROUGHTON,  Nancy,  vii. 
The  bronze  of  his  face  is  a  little  paled  by 
emotion,  but  there  is  no  SAWNY  sentiment 
in  his  tone,  none  of  the  lover's  whine. 

2.  (Scots').— A  Scot;  SANDY 
(g.v.). — B.  E.,  GROSE. 

</.i704.  BROWN,  Highlander  [Works, 
i.  127].  And  learn  from  him  against  a 
time  of  need  To  husband  wealth,  as 
SAWNY  does  his  weed. 

1714.  GAY,  Shep.  Week,  vi.  115.  He 
sung  of  Taffy  Welch,  and  SAWNEY  Scot. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random,  xiii. 
[Addressing  a  Scotchman]  '  Is  it  oatmeal 
or  brimstone,  SAWNEY  ? '  said  he. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
138.  A  queer  look'd  whelp,  called  SAWNEY 
Dunn  ;  His  men  from  Caledonia  came. 
Ibid.  As  firm  as  SAWNEY'S  rubbing  post. 


1822.  SCOTT,  Fortunes  of  Nigel,  ii. 
Jockey  ...  a  name  which  at  that  time 
was  used,  as  SAWNEY  now  is,  for  a  general 
appellative  of  the  Scottish  nation. 

1892.  HENLEY  and  STEVENSON, 
Deacon  Brodie,  Tabl.  ii.  ii.  Jock  runs 
east,  and  SAWNEY  cuts  west. 

3.  (common).  —  Bacon  ;  also 
stolen  cheese ;  hence,  SAWNEY- 
HUNTER  =  a  bacon  thief  :  Fr. 
spec. — GROSE,  VAUX. 


1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 
275.  Of  very  ready  sale  "  fish  got  from 
the  gate "  (stolen  from  Billingsgate ; 

•  -    9  .          i  »  ,r  .    ,    °      ^*  . 


SAWNEY  (thieved  bacon).  Ibid.,  Gt. 
World  of  London  (1856),  46.  SAWNEY- 
HUNTERS,  who  purloin  cheese  or  bacon 
from  cheesemongers'  doors. 

SAWN  EYING,  adj.  (old). — Soft- 
speaking;  pimping;  CARNKYING 
(q.v.). 

1808.  SOUTHEY,  Letters,  ii.  63.  It 
looks  like  a  sneaking  SAWNEYING  Metho- 
dist parson. 

SAWYER,  subs.  (American). — A 
snag  :  a  fallen  tree,  rising  and 
falling  with  the  waves. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life,  106. 
Snags  and  SAWYERS,  just  thar,  wur  dread- 
ful plenty. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huckleberry  Finn, 
and    Life    on    the    Mississippi  (1883), 
passim. 

SAY.  See  APE'S  PATERNOSTER; 
BOH  ;  JACK  ROBINSON  ;  KNIFE  ; 
MOUTH  ;  NOTHING  ;  PARSON  ; 
PRAYERS  ;  TE  DEUM  ;  THING  ; 
WHEN. 

SAY-SO,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). — 
An  assertion ;  also  a  mild  oath : 
ON  MY  SAY-SO  =  '  On  my  word 
of  honour ' :  also  SAMMY  SAY-SO. 

1885.  CRADDOCK,  froph.   of  Great 
Smoky    Mountains,  xii.      Pete    Cayce's 
SAY-SO  war  all  I  wanted. 

1890.  BARR,  Friend  Olivia,  xvii. 
Kelderby  stands  in  the  wind  of  Charles 
Stuart's  SAY-SO. 

YOU  SAY  YOU  CAN,  BUT  CAN 
YOU?  phr.  (American). — 'You 
lie.' 


Scab. 


107 


Scoff  older s. 


SCAB,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  rascal  : 
spec,  a  constable  or  sheriff's 
officer :  often  jocular.  Hence 
SCABBY  (or SCAB)  =  contemptible; 
beggarly  ;  SCABBY -SHEEP  =  a 
ne'er-do-weel ;  SCABILONIAN  (see 
quot.  1600). 

1591.  LYLY,  Endimion,  iv.  2.  Pages. 
What"  are  yee,  SCABS?  Watch.  The 
Watch  :  this  the  Constable. 

1594.  GREENE,  Frier  Bacon  [GRO- 
SART,  Works,  xin.  9].  Loue  is  such  a 
proud  SCAB,  that  he  will  never  meddle 
with  fooles  nor  children. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.,  iii. 
2.  Wart,  thou  art  a  good  SCAB.  Ibid. 
(1600),  Much  Ado,  iii.  3.  Bora.  Com- 
rade, I  say  !  Con.  Here,  man  ;  I  am  at 
thy  elbow.  Bora.  Mass,  and  my  elbow 
itched  ;  I  thought  there  would  a  SCAB 
follow.  Ibid.  (1601),  Twelfth  Night,  ii.  5. 
Sir  To.  Out,  SCAB  !  Fab.  Nay,  patience, 
or  we  break  the  sinews  of  our  plot. 

1600.  THOMAS  HILL,  Cath.  Religion 
[NARES].  With  the  introduction  of  the 
Protestant  faith  were  introduced  your 

falligascones,    your    SCABILONIANS,   your 
t.    Thomas    onions,    your  ruffees,   your 
cuffees,  and  a  thousand  such  new  devised 
Luciferan  trinckets. 

1608.  MIDDLETON,  Trick  to  Catch 
the  Old  One,  ii.  i.  He?  he's  a  SCAB  to 
thee. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  in.  A 
whore  .  .  .  growes  pocky  proud  .  .  . 
That  such  poore  SCABS  as  I  must  net  come 
neere  her. 

1664.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie  (ist 
ed.),  15.  A  huffing  Jack,  a  plund'ring 
Tearer,  A  vap'ring  SCAB,  and  a  great 
Swearer. 

^.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.y. 
SCAB,  a  sorry  Wench,  or  Scoundril- 
Fellow. 

1701.  DEFOE,  True  Born  English- 
man, i.  The  Royal  Branch,  from  Pict 
land  did  succeed,  With  troops  of  Scots, 
and  SCABS  from  North-by-Tweed. 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Peregrine  Pickle, 
xxi.  A  lousy,  SCABBY,  nasty,  scurvy, 
skulking,  lubberly  noodle. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  \. 
20.  He's  a  regular  SCAB.  Ibid. ,  iii.  107. 
I  was  the  SCABBY  SHEEP  of  the  family,  and 
I've  been  punished  for  it. 


1861.    MEREDITH,  Evan  Harrington, 
vi.     A  SCABBY  sixpence? 

1900.     KIPLING,  Stalky  and  Co.,  71. 
You're  three  beastly  SCABS. 

2.  (artisans').  —  A     workman 
who  refuses  to  join,  or  continues 
at    work    during     a     strike  ;     a 
BLACKLEG  (q.v.)  ;  generally   ap- 
plied to  all  non-  Union  men.     Fr. 
flint. 

3.  (tailors').  —  A  button-hole. 
SCABS  ADO,  subs,   (old).—  Syphilis. 

1725.      BAILEY,     Erasmus's    Colloq. 
(1900),  ii.  23.    The  new  SCABBADO. 

SCABBARD,  subs,  (venery).  —  The 
female  pudendum:  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE. 

SCABBY,  adj.  (printers').  —  Unevenly 
printed  ;  blotchy. 

SCABBY-N  ECK,  subs.  pkr.  (nautical). 
—  A  Dane. 

SCAB-RAISER,  subs.  phr.  (military: 
obsolete).  —  A  drummer.  [One 
of  whose  duties  was  to  wield  the 
cat.] 

SCAD,  subs.  (American).  —  An 
abundance  :  hence  in  pi.  = 
money  ;  resources. 

SCADQER,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
mean  fellow  ;  a  CADGER  (y.v.). 

SCAFF,  subs.  (Christ's  Hospital  : 
obsolete).—  A  selfish  fellow  :  the 
adj.  forms  are  SCALY  and  SCABBY 
=  mean  ;  stingy. 

SCAFF-  AND-  RAFF,  subs.  phr.  (Scots' 
colloquial).  —  Refuse,  rabble, 
RIFF-RAFF 


SCAFFOLDERS,  subs.   (old).  —  Spec- 
tators in  the  gallery  ;  THE  GODS 
(q.v.). 
1599.     HALL,  Satires,  i.  iii.  28.     He 

ravishes  the  gazing  SCAFFOLDERS. 


Scalawag. 


1 08          Scaldrum-dodge. 


SCALAWAG  (or  SCALLAWAG),  subs. 
(American).  —  (i)  Anything  low 
class  ;  and  spec.  (2)  as  in 
quot.  1891.  As  adj.  =  wastrel ; 
shrunken  ;  profligate  :  cf.  CAR- 
PET-BAGGER. 

1855.  HALIBURTON,  Human  Nature, 
[BARTLETT].  You  good-for-nothin'  young 
SCALAWAG. 

1870.  Melbourne  Argus.  A  new 
term  has  been  added  to  the  descriptive 
slang  of  the  loafing  classes  of  Melbourne. 
Vagrants  are  now  denominated  SCALA- 
WAGS. 

1877.  North  Am.  Rev.,  July,  5. 
[The  carpet-baggers]  combining  with  a 
few  SCALAWAGS  and  some  leading  Negroes 
to  serve  as  decoys  for  the  rest  .  .  .  became 
the  strongest  body  of  thieves  that  ever 
pillaged  a  people. 

1884.  Chambers' s  Journal,  i  March, 
139,  i.  [Colorado  man  loquitur.}  We  are 
here  to  discuss  the  existence  of  thieves  and 
SCALLAWAGS  amongst  us. 

1 80.1.  Century  Diet.,  s.v.  SCALAWAG. 
Used  in  the  Southern  States,  during  the 
Reconstruction  period  (1865-76)  in  an 
almost  specific  sense,  being  opprobriously 
applied  by  the  opponents  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  to  native  Southerners  who 
acted  with  that  party,  as  distinguished 
from  Carpet-bagger,  a  Republican  of 
Northern  origin. 

SCALD,  verb,  (venery).— (i)  To 
infect ;  and  (2)  to  wax  amorous. 
SCALDER  =  a  clap  (GROSE).  As 
adj.  —  (i)  infected,  and  (2)  con- 
temptible ;  scoundrel.  CUPID'S 
SCALDING-HOUSE  =  a  brothel. 

1563-4.  New  Custom  [NARES].  Like 
lettuce  like  lips,  a  scab'd  horse  for  a  SCALD 
squire. 

1592.  NASH,  Piers  Penniless [HALLI- 
WELL].  Other  news  I  am  advertised  of 
that  a  SCALD,  trivial,  lying  pamphlet  is 
given  out  to  be  of  my  doing. 

1599.  MIDDLETON,  Old  Law,  iii.  2. 
My  three  court  codlings  that  look  par- 
boil'd,  As  if  they  came  from  CUPID'S 
SCALDING  HOUSE. 

1599.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hen.  V.,  v.  i, 
31,  Will  you  be  so  good,  SCAULD  knave, 
as  eat  it?  Ibid.  (1609),  Timon  of 
Athens,  ii.  2.  She's  even  setting  on  water 
to  SCALD  such  chickens  as  you  are. 


1647-8.  HEKRICK,  Hesperides,  '  To 
Blanch.'  Blanch  swears  her  husband's 
lovely,  when  a  SCALD  Has  blear'd  his  eyes. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
[  Works  (1725),  63.  For  that  which  stabb'd 
her  was  his  Weapon,  For  which  she  did  so 
SCALD  and  burn,  That  none  but  he  could 
serve  her  turn. 

SCALD  A  BAN  co,  subs,  (old  collo- 
quial).— See  quots. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  SCALD ABANCO,  one  that  keepes  a  seate 
warme,  but  ironically  spoken  of  idle 
lectures  that  possesse  a  pewe  in  the 
schooles  or  pulpet  in  churches,  and  baffle 
out  they  know  not  what ;  also  a  hot-headed 
puritane. 

1692.  RACKET,  Williams,  ii.  182. 
The  Presbyterians,  those  SCALDA-BANCOS, 
or  hot  declaimers,  had  wrought  a  great 
distast  in  the  Commons  at  the  king. 

SCALDER,  subs,  (common).  — See 
quot.,  and  SCALD. 

1892.  SYDNEY  WATSON,  Wops  the 
Waif,  iv.  I'm  good  at  a  hoperation,  I  can 
tell  yer,  when  it's  on  spot  and  SCALDER 
(which  being  interpreted,  meant  cake  and 
tea). 

SCALDINGS  !  intj.  (Winchester). — 
Be  gone  !  '  Be  off ! '  Also  a 
general  warning,  '  Look  out !' 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Roderick  Random, 
xxv.  The  boy  .  .  .  returned  with  it  full 
of  boiled  peas,  crying,  '  SCALDINGS,'  all 
the  way. 

SCALD-RAG,  subs.  phr.  (old).— A 
dyer. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  n.  165.  As 
much  impeachment  as  to  cal  a  justice  of 
the  peace,  a  beadle ;  a  dyer,  a  SCALD- 
RAGGE  ;  or  a  fishmonger,  a  seller  of 
gubbins. 

SCALDRUM-DODGE,  subs.  phr. 
(tramps'). — See  quot.  and  FOX- 
BITE  ;  SCALDRUM  =  a  beggar. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  i. 
262.  By  these  Peter  was  initiated  into  the 
SCALDRUM-DODGE,  or  the  art  of  burning 
the  body  with  a  mixture  of  acids  and 
gunpowder,  so  as  to  suit  the  hues  and 
complexions  of  the  accident  to  be  deplored. 


Scale. 


109 


Scamp. 


SCALE,  verb,  (venery).— To  MOUNT 
(g.v.) :  see  GREENS  and  RIDE. 

1607.  W[ENTWORTH]  S[MITH],  Puri- 
tan, i.  i.  I,  whom  never  man  as  yet  hath 
SCALED. 

SCALES.    See  SHADSCALES. 

SCALLOPS,  subs,  (old).— An  awk- 
ward girl  (HALLIWELL). 

SCALP,  verb.  (American). — To  sell 
under  price  ;  to  share  commission 
or  discount :  e.g.,  TO  SCALP 
STOCK  =  to  sell  stock  regardless 
of  value  ;  TICKET-SCALPING  = 
the  sale  of  unused  railway  tickets, 
or  tickets  bought  in  quantities  as 
a  speculation,  at  a  cheaper  than 
the  official  rate;  TICKET-SCALPER 
=  a  ticket  broker. 

1882.  Nation,  5  Oct.,  276.  With  the 
eternal  quarrel  between  railroads  and 
SCALPERS,  passengers  have  nothing  to  do. 

1892.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  i  Nov.,  2,  T. 
TICKET-SCALPING  ...  has  _  reference  to 
the  transferability  or  otherwise  of  tickets 
rather  than  to  their  date  of  expiry. 

1894.  Standard,  3  May,  7,  i.  These 
huge  grouped  tenderings  on  a  preconcerted 
plan  .  .  .  when  successful  merely  repre- 
sent a  SCALPING  of  the  Stock  at  the 
expense  of  the  genuine  investor. 

2.  (American  party-politician's). 
— (a)  To  ostracise  for  rebellion, 
and  (b)  to  ruin  one's  influence. 

SCALY,  adj.  (common). — Shabby  ; 
mean  ;  FISHY  (q.v.}. — GROSE. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  iii. 
If  you  are  too  SCALY  to  tip  for  it,  I'll  shell 
out,  and  shame  you. 

1843.  DICKENS,  Martin  Chuzzlewit, 
xxviii.  Don't  you  remember  hold  mother 
Todgers's  ?  .  .  .  a  reg'lar  SCALY  old  shop, 
warn't  it? 

1848.  LOWELL,  Big-low  Papers,  i.  99. 
The  SCALIEST  trick  they  ever  played  wuz 
bringin'  on  me  hither. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  \. 
85.  They  find  the  ladies  their  hardest  of 
SCALIEST  customers. 


1880.  J.  B.  STEPHENS,  Poems,  '  To 
a  Black  Gin.'  Methinks  that  theory  is 
rather  SCALY. 

1883.  PAYN,  Thicker  than  Water, 
xlv.  Do  you  mean  to  say  he  never  gave 
you  nothing  ?  .  .  .  SCALY  varmint ! 

SCALY- FISH,  subs.  phr.  (nautical). 
— 'A  honest,  rough,  blunt  sailor' 
(GROSE). 

SCAMANDER,  verb,  (common). — To 
LOAF  (q.V.). 

SCAMMERED,  adj.  (common). — 
Drunk:  see  SCREWED. 

1891.  CAREW,  Auto,  of  a  Gipsy,  435. 
He'll  think  he  was  SCAMMERED  over  night. 

SCAMP,  subs.  (Old  Cant). — i.  A 
highway  robber  (also  SCAMPS- 
MAN)  ;  and  (2)  highway  robbery 
(also  SCAMPERY).  Whence  as 
verb  —  to  rob  on  the  highway  ; 
ROYAL-SCAMP  =  '  a  highwayman 
who  robs  civilly'  ;  ROYAL-FOOT- 
SCAMP  =  '  a  footpad  behaving  in 
like  manner'  ;  DONE  FOR  A 
SCAMP  =  convicted  (GROSE,  PAR- 
KER, VAUX).  See  quot.  1823. 

1754.  Disc,  of  John  Poulter,  42. 
I'll  SCAMP  on  the  panney. 

1781.  MESSINK,  Choice  of  Harlequin. 
'  Ye  SCAMPS,  ye  pads,  ye  divers.' 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  SCAMP 
.  .  .  Beggars  who  would  turn  their  hands 
to  any  thing  occasionally,  without  enquir- 
ing in  whom  the  thing  is  vested,  are  said 

tO    GO    UPON    THE    SCAMP.        Fellows    who 

pilfer  in  markets,  from  stalls  or  orchards, 
who  snatch  off  hats,  cheat  publicans  out  of 
liquor,  or  toss  up  cheatingly — commit 
SCAMPING  tricks. 

£.1824.  EGAN,  Boxiana,  iii.  622.  And 
from  the  start  the  SCAMPS  are  cropp'd  at 
home. 

1830.  MONCRIEFF,  Heart  of  London, 
ii.  i.  Cracksmen,  .  .  .  SCAMPSMEN,  we; 
fol  de  rol,  &c. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rook-wood,  'The 
Game  of  High  Toby.'  Forth  to  the  heath 
is  the  SCAMPSMAN  gone.  Ibid.,  in.  5.  A 
rank  SCAMP,  cried  the  upright  man. 


Scamp. 


I  10 


Scape. 


1842.  EGAN,  Captain  Macheath,  v. 
A  SCAMPSMAN,  you  know,  must  always  be 
bold. 

3.  (common). — A  rogue  ;  an 
arrant  rascal ;  sometimes  (collo- 
quial) in  jest.  Hence  SCAMPISH 
=  roguish,  tricky  ;  SCAMPERY  = 
roguery. 

£.1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  84. 
Among  the  Mexicans  .  .  .  every  rich  man 
looks  like  a  grandee,  and  every  poor 
SCAMP  like  a  broken-down  gentleman. 

1849-50.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis, 
xiii.  The  impudent  bog-trotting  SCAMP. 

1854.  WHYTE-MELVILLE,  General 
Bounce,  ii.  Tom  Blacke  was  a  SCAMP  of 
the  first  water. 

rf.iSsg.  DE  QUINCEY,  Works,  u.  43. 
He  has  done  the  SCAMP  too  much  honour. 
Ibid.,  Spanish  Nun,  23.  The  alcaide 
personally  renewed  his  regrets  for  the 
ridiculous  scene  of  the  two  SCAMPISH 
occulists. 

1879.  PAYN,  High  Spirits  (Finding 
his  Leztel).  Vulgar  dukes  or  SCAMPISH 
lords. 

1883.  Graphic,  24  Feb.,  199,  3. 
All  the  SCAMPERY  of  Liverpool  seems  to  be 
present. 

1902.  D.  Mail,  14  Jan.,  6,  3.  Of  all 
the  SCAMPISH  SCAMPS  unhung  this  speci- 
men of  perverted  culture  beats  all. 

Verb,  (common). — 2.  To  do 
carelessly  and  ill  ;  to  give  bad 
work  or  short  measure. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  m. 
240.  SCAMPING  adds  at  least  200  per 
cent,  to  the  productions  of  the  cabinet- 
maker's trade. 

1862.  London  Herald,  27  Dec., 
'Answers  to  Corresp.'  Find  out,  if  it  is 
an  estate  where  any  SCAMPING  is  allowed 
to  create  heavy  ground  rents. 

1881.  PAYN,  Grape  from  a  Thorn, 
xlii.  The  idea  of  SCAMPING  her  work  .  .  . 
had  no  existence  for  her. 

1883.  TROLLOPE,  Autobiog.,  \.  164. 
It  is  not  on  my  conscience  that  I  have  ever 
SCAMPED  my  work.  My  novels,  whether 
good  or  bad,  have  been  as  good  as  I  could 
make  them. 

1886.  D.  Telegraph,  i  Jan.  The 
work  is  as  often  .  .  .  SCAMPED  as  it  is 
well  done. 


SCAMPER,  verb,  (old:  B.  E., 
<:.  1696). — 'To  run  away,  or 
Scowre  off,  either  from  Justice, 
as  Thieves,  Debtors,  Criminals, 
that  are  pursued ;  or  from  ill 
fortune,  as  Soldiers  that  are 
repulst  or  worsted.' 

SCANDAL- BROTH  (CHATTER,  or 
WATER),  subs.  phr.  (common). — 
Tea;  CAT-LAP  (<?.v.). — GROSE. 

SCANDALOUS,  subs.  (old).  —  'A 
Periwig.'— B.  E.  (^.1696). 

SCANDAL- PROOF  (old).  —  i.  'A 
thorough  pac'd  Alsatian,  or 
Minter,  one  harden'd  or  past 
Shame,'  B.  E.  (^.1696);  and  (2) 
'  one  who  has  eaten  shame  and 
drank  after  it,  or  would  blush  at 
being  ashamed,'  GROSE  (1785). 

SCAN  MAG,  subs,  (common).  — 
Scandalous  jobber ;  pettifogging 
slander ;  talk.  [Short  and  de- 
risive for  Scandalum  inagnatum.~\ 

1883.  G.  A.  S[ALA]  [Illustr.  London 
News,  31  March,  310,  3].  The  audience 
have  to  listen  to  the  bucolic  drolleries  of 
his  groom,  Saul  Mash,  and  the  provincial 
SCANMAG  of  the  notabilities  of  the  little 
country  town.  Ibid.  (1861),  Twice  Round 
the  Clock,  One  p.m.,  Par.  2.  The  swarms 
of  flies  .  .  .  inebriating  themselves  with 
saccharine  suction  in  the  grocers'  shops, 
and  noisily  buzzing  their  SCANMAG  in 
private  parlours. 

SCANT-OF-GRACE,  subs,  (colloquial). 
— A  scapegrace. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Kenilworth,  iii.  You 
associate  yourself  with  a  sort  of  SCANT-OF- 
GRACE. 

SCAPE,  subs,  (old).— i.  A  cheat. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires.  Was  there  no 
'plaining  of  the  brewer's  SCAPE,  Nor 
greedy  vintner  mixed  the  strained  grape. 

^.1634.  CHAPMAN,  Horn,  Hymn  to 
Apollo.  Crafty  mate  What  other  SCAPE 
canst  thou  excogitate? 


Scape-gallows.  1 1 1      Scarborough-warning. 


2.  (old).— A  fart. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Did.,  s.v.  Pet.  A 
SCAPE,  tayle-shot,  or  cracke. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Worries, 
s.  v.  Pettare.  To  let  a  SCAPE  or  a  fart. 

3.  (old). — An  act,  or  effect,  of 
fornication. 

1594.  SHAKSPEARE,  Lucrese,  749. 
Day  .  .  .  night's  SCAPES  doth  open  lay. 
Ibid,  (1604),  Winter's  Tale,  in.  3,  73. 
Sure  some  SCAPE  ...  I  can  read  waiting- 
gentlewoman  in  the  SCAPE. 


Verb,    (artists'). — '  To 
one's  brush '  (BEE). 


neglect 


SCAPE-GALLOWS,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— One  who  deserves  but  has 
escaped  the  gallows  (GROSE). 

1839.  DICKENS,  Nick.  Nickleby, 
xliv.  Remember  this  SCAPE-GALLOWS  .  .  . 
if  we  meet  again  .  .  .  you  shall  see  the 
inside  of  a  gaol  once  more. 

SCAPE-GRACE  (or  -THRIFT),  subs, 
phr.  (old). — A  good-for-nothing  ; 
a  ne'er-do-well  (GROSE). 

1577-87.  HOLINSHED,  Hist.  Scot., 
an.  1427.  For  shortlie  vpon  his  deliuer- 
ance,  he  gathered  a  power  of  wicked 
SCAPE-THRIFTS,  and  with  the  same 
comming  into  Inuernes,  burnt  the  towne. 

1862.  THACKERAY,  Philip,  ii.  I 
could  not  always  be  present  to  guard  the 

little  SCAPE  GRACE. 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  29  Sept.  The 
SCAPE-GRACES  and  ne'er-do-wells  you 
considered  dead  a  generation  since. 

SCARAMOUCH,  subs.  (old). — i.  A 
buffoon ;  whence  (2)  =  a  disre- 
putable rascal.  [STANFORD  :  It. 
Scaramuccia,  the  braggart  buffoon 
of  Italian  comedy.] 

1662.  DAVIES,  Ambass.  Trav.  (1669), 
vi.  283.  Countenances  and  Postures, 
as  SCARAMUZZA  himself  would  be  much 
troubled  to  imitate. 

1673.  WYCHERLEY,  Gentleman 
Dancing  Master,  iii.  i.  Ah,  le  brave 

SCARAMOUCHE ! 

1673.  DRYDEN,  Epilogue  to  Univ., 
Oxford,  15  (Globe  Ed.,  p.  422).  Stout 
SCARAMOUCHA  with  rush  lance  rode  in, 
And  run  a  tilt  at  centaur  Arlequin. 


1707.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  n.  v.  5. 
Dress'd  up  in  Black,  like  SCARAMOUCHES. 

.  1711.  Spectator,  No.  83.  The  third 
artist  that  I  looked  over  was  Fantasque 
dressed  like  a  Venetian  SCARAMOUCH. 

c.i  720.  Broadside  Ballad,  'The  Mas- 
querade' [FARMER,  Merry  Songs  and 
Ballads  (i^gj\  iii.  233].  A  SCARAMOUCH 
is  nimble,  Tho'  lazy  he  appears. 

1716.  WILKINS,  Polit.  Bal.  (1860), 
n.  175.  The  SACRAMOUCHES  everywhere, 
With  open  throats  bawled  out. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Coll.  Eras.,  '  Penitent 
Virgin.'  O  these  SCARAMOUCHES,  how 
they  know  to  wheedle  the  poor  people  ! 

1824.      IRVING,    Tales    of  a    Trav. 

9),  322.  He  swore  no  SCARAMOUCH  of 
an  Italian  robber  would  dare  to  meddle 
with  an  Englishman. 

2.  (showmen's).  —  A  puppet. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  in.. 
60.  This  here's  the  SCARAMOUCH  that 
dances  without  a  head. 


SCARBOROUGH  -  WARNING     (LEI- 

SURE,   SCRABBLING),   &C.,   subs. 
phr.  (old).  —  See  quots. 

1546.  HEYWOOD,  Proverbs  [OLI- 
PHANT,  New  Eng:,  i.  504.  SCARBOROUGH 
WARNING  (the  blow  before  the  word)  is 
found  in  page  76]. 

1557.  HEYWOOD,  Ckd  Ballad  \_Harl. 
Misc.  (PARK),  x.  258].  This  term,  SCAR- 
BOROW  WARNING,  grew  (some  say)  By 
hasty  hanging,  for  rank  robbry  theare. 

1580.  TUSSER,  Husbandry,  x.  28,  22 
[E.  D.  S.  ].  Be  suretie  seldome  (but  neuer 
for  much)  for  feare  of  purse  penniles  hang- 
ing by  such  ;  Or  SKARBOROW  WARNING, 
as  ill  I  beleeue,  when  (sir  I  arest  yee)  gets 
hold  of  thy  sleeue. 

1582.  STANYHURST,  j*Enid,  iv.  621. 
Al  they  the  lyke  poste  haste  dyd  make 

with  SCARBORO'  SCRABBLING. 

1589.  PUTTENHAM,  Eng.  Poesy, 
B.  iii.  c.  SKARBOROW  WARNING,  for  a 
sodaine  commandement,  allowing  no  re- 
spect or  delay  to  bethinke  a  man  of  his 
business. 

1591.  HARINGTON,  Ariosto,  xxxiv. 
22.  They  tooke  them  to  a  fort,  with  such 
small  treasure  And  in  so  SCARBOROW 
WARNING  they  had  leasure. 


Scarce. 


112 


Scarlet-horse. 


1593.  HARVEY,  Pierces  Supererog. 
[GROSART,  Works,  ii.  225].  He  meaneth 
not  to  come  upon  me  with  a  cowardly 
stratageme  of  SCARBOROUGH  WARNING. 

1603.  T.  MATHEW  (Bishop  of  Dur- 
ham), Letter  19,  Jan.  [NARES],  I  received 
a  message  from  my  lord  chamberlaine,  that 
it  was  his  majesty's  pleasure  that  I  should 
preach  before  him  upon  Sunday  next ; 
which  SCARBOROUGH  WARNING  did  not 
only  perplex  me,  but  so  puzzel  me. 

1616.  Letter  [quoted  by  NARES].  I 
now  write  upon  SCARBOROUGH  WARNING. 

1670.  RAY,  Proverbs,  263.  This 
proverb  took  its  original  from  Thomas 
Stafford,  who  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary, 
T557>  with  a  small  company  seizd  on 
SCARBOROUGH  Castle  (utterly  destitute  of 
provision  for  resistance)  before  the  towns- 
men had  the  least  notice  of  his  approach. 
[This  is  taken  from  FULLER'S  Worthies  : 
cf.  STAFFORD  LAW  and  see  quots.  1546 
and  1557  which  show  the  phrase  in  earlier 
use.] 

1787.  GROSE,  Prov.  Glossary  (1811), 
94.  A  SCARBOROUGH  WARNING.  That  is, 
none  at  all,  but  a  sudden  surprise. 

1843.  HALLIWELL,  Archaic  Words, 
&c.,  s.v.  SCARBOROUGH  .  .  .  SCAR- 
BOROUGH LEISURE,  no  leisure  at  all. 

SCARCE.  To  MAKE  ONE'S  SELF 
SCARCE,  verb.  pkr.  (colloquial). — 
To  retire  (GROSE). 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  374.  It  was  my  fixed  purpose  to 

MAKE  MYSELF  SCARCE  at  Seville. 

1812.  MARGRAVINE  OF  ANSPACH 
[C.  K.  SHARPE'S  Correspondence  (1888),  ii. 

20].      I   shall    MAKE    MYSELF   VERY,    VERY 

SCARCE,  and  live  only  for  myself. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Kenilworth,  iv.  MAKE 
YOURSELF  SCARCE— depart— vanish  1 

1836.  M.  SCOTT,  Cruise  of  Midge, 
114.  My  fine  fellow,  you  are  a  little  off 
your  cruising  ground,  so  be  MAKING 
YOURSELF  SCARCE — Bolt — vanish — get  on 
deck  with  you. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.  {Lay 
of  St.  Odille).  Come,  MAKE  YOURSELVES 
SCARCE  ! — it  is  useless  to  stay. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  r. 
265.  I  had  warned  her  to  MAKE  HERSELF 
SCARCE  at  her  earliest  possible  convenience. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  16  Jan.  Now, 
bobbies,  MAKE  YOURSELVES  SCARCE  .  .  . 
you  know  this  is  a  gentleman's  private 
apartment,  and  you're  trespassers. 


SCARE.  To  SCARE  UP,  verb.  phr. 
(colloquial). — To  find  ;  to  dis- 
cover :  e.g.,  'TO  SCARE  UP 
money.' 

SCARECROW,  subs,  (thieves'). — See 
quot. 

1884.  GREENWOOD,  Little  Raga- 
muffins. The  SCARECROW  is  the  boy  who 
has  served  him  [a  thief]  until  he  is  well 
known  to  the  police,  and  is  so  closely 
watched  that  he  may  as  well  stay  at  home 
as  go  out. 

SCARE  HEAD,  subs,  (journalists'). — 
A  line  in  bold  type  calculated  to 
arrest  attention. 

1900.  WHITE,  West  End,  339.  One 
of  our  calm  days,  unbroken  by  SCARE- 
HEADS  in  the  newspapers,  or  by  the 
croakings  of  nervous  critics. 

SCARLET.  To ; DYE  SCARLET,  verb, 
phr.  (old).—  See  quot. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  /  Hen.  IV.,  ii. 
4.  They  call  drinking  deep,  DYEING 

SCARLET. 

To  WEAR  SCARLET,  verb.  pkr. 
(old).— I.  To  win  the  higher  Uni- 
versity degrees;  (2)  to  attain 
sheriff  or  aldermanic  rank. 
[Which  were  scarlet-robed.] 

1610.  JONSON,  Alchemist,  i.  i.  This 
summer  he  will  be  of  the  clothing  of  his 
company,  and  next  spring  CALLED  TO  THE 
SCARLET. 

1613.  WEBSTER,  Devils  Law-Case, 
ii.  3.  Your  patience  has  not  ta'en  the 
right  degree  OF  WEARING  SCARLET  ;  I 
should  rather  take  you  For  a  bachelor  in 
the  art,  than  for  a  doctor. 

SCARLET-FEVER,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— Flirtation  with  soldiers: 
Fr.  culotte-  (or  pantalon-)  rouge : 
cf.  YELLOW-FEVER. 

1862.  MAYHEW,  Lon.  Lab.,  iv.  235. 
Nurse-maids  .  .  .  are  always  ready  to 
succumb  to  the  SCARLET-FEVER.  A  red 
coat  is  all  powerful  with  this  class. 

SCARLET-HORSE,  subs.  pkr.  (old). 
— See  quot. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vul%.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SCARLET  HORSE.  A  high-red,  hired  or 
hack  horse  :  a  pun  on  the  word. 


Scarlet  Lancers.          113      Scavengers-daughter. 


SCARLET     LANCERS 

RED  LANCERS. 


(THE).     See 


SCARLET-RUNNER, subs.  phr.  (old). 
— i.  A  Bow-street  officer  ;  a 
ROBIN-REDBREAST  (q.v.).  [They 
wore  scarlet  waistcoats.] 

2.  (common). — A  footman. 

SCARLET-TOWN,  subs.  phr.  (pro- 
vincial).— Reading  [Berks.] 

SCARLET- wo  MAN,  subs.  phr.  (re- 
ligious).— The  Church  of  Rome. 

SCARPER,  verb,  (showmen's). — To 
run  away  :  see  SKEDADDLE. 

1844.  SELBV,  London  by  Night,  ii.  i. 
Vamoose — SCARPER— fly  ! 

SCAT,   verb,    (common). — Begone! 

1880.  HARRIS,  Uncle  Remus,  xxii. 
Wen  ole  man  Rabbit  say  'scoot,'  dey 
scooted,  en  w'en  ole  Miss  Rabbit  say 
1  SCAT,'  dey  SCATTED. 

1892.  Nat.  Observer,  20  Aug.,  356, 
i.  There  is  a  village  somewhere  West  of 
Devonshire  whose  inhabitants  are  univer- 
sally called  ' SCAT-UPS.'  For  .  .  . 

once  at  a  volunteer  review  they  could  be 
induced  to  '  dismiss '  only  by  an  im- 
passioned cry  of  'SCAT  UP  !' 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  210. 
We  chucked  him  two  watches  and  380 
dollars  in  cash  quicker 'n  SCAT. 

SCATE,  subs,  (provincial).— A  light- 
heels  (HALLIWELL). 

Verb,  (provincial). — To  be  loose 
in  the  bowels  (HALLIWELL). 

SCATTERATION,  subs.  (American). 
— A  commotion  ;  a  dispersal. 
Hence  SCATTERATIONIST  —  a 
politician  running  his  personal 
fads  without  reference  to  either 
party  or  public. 

1878.  N.  A.  Rev.,  cxxvi.  244.  Some 
well-directed  shots  .  .  .  sent  wagons  flying 
in  the  air,  and  produced  a  SCATTERATION, 


t888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arnis,  xiii.  I  did  see  one  explode  at  a 
review  in  Melbourne— and,  my  word ! 
what  a  SCATTERATION  it  made. 

SCATTERBRAIN,  j«fo.  (colloquial). — 
An  unreasoning  ass;  SCATTER- 
BRAINED =  giddy. 

1849.  KINGSLEY,  Alton  Locke,  xii. 
A  certain  SCATTER-BRAINED  Irish  lad. 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Browns  School- 
days, i.  ii.  A  ...  tearful  SCATTER- 
BRAINED girl. 

^.1884.  C.  READE,  Art,  23.  Poor 
Alexander,  he  is  a  fool,  a  SCATTERBRAIN 
.  .  .  but  he  is  my  son. 

SCATTERGOOD,     Sllbs.      (old).  —  A 

spendthrift. 

1577.  KENDALL,  Epigrammes,  56. 
A  mery  jest  of  a  SCATTERGOOD. 

1655.  SANDERS,  Physiognomic. 
Which  intimates  a  man  to  act  the  con- 
sumption of  his  own  fortunes,  to  be  a 
SCATTER-GOOD  ;  if  of  honey  colour  or  red, 
he  is  a  drunkard  and  a  glutton. 

SCATTER-GUN,  subs.  phr.  (Ameri- 
can).— A  shot-gun. 

SCATTER  LING,  subs,  (old  collo- 
quial).— A  vagabond. 

^.1599.  SPENSER,  State  of  Ireland 
[Century],  Many  of  them  be  such  losells 
and  SCATTERLINGS  as  that  they  cannot 
easely  ...  be  gotten. 

SCAVENGER'S- DAUGHTER,  subs, 
phr.  (old). — An  instrument  of 
torture  invented  by  Sir  W. 
Skevington,  Lieutenant  of  the 
Tower  of  London,  temp.  Hen. 
VIII.  :  see  quot.  1889. 

1580.  Dia.  Rerum  gestarum  in 
Turri  Londiniensi,  10  Dec.  Thomas 
Cotamus  et  Lucas  Kirbaeus  presbyteri, 
SCAVINGERI  FILIAM  ad  unam  horum  et 
amplius  passi ;  ex  quo  prior  copiosum 
sanguinem  e  naribus  emisit. 

1604.  Commons  Journal,  14  May. 
[The  Committee]  found  in  Little  Ease  in 
the  Tower  an  engine  of  torture  .  .  .  called 
SKEVINGTON 's  DAUGHTERS. 

1840.  Aiusvf OR-TH,  Tower  of  Lonaon, 
xxiii.  We  will  wed  you  to  the  SCAVEN- 
GER'S DAUGHTER,  my  little  man. 

H 


Scew. 


114 


School. 


1889.  Answers,  9  Feb.  The  SCAVEN- 
GER'S DAUGHTER  was  a  broad  hoop  of  iron, 
consisting  of  two  parts,  fastened  by  a 
hinge.  The  prisoner  knelt  on  the  pave- 
ment, and  the  executioner  having  intro- 
duced the  hoop  under  his  legs,  compressed 
the  victim,  till  he  was  able  to  fasten  the 
extremities  over  the  small  of  the  back. 
The  time  allotted  was  an  hour  and  a  half, 
it  commonly  happened  that  the  blood 
started  from  the  nostrils  ;  sometimes,  it 
was  believed,  from  the  extremities  of  the 
hands  and  feet. 

SCEW.     See  SKEW. 

SCELLUM,   subs.    (Old    Cant).  —  A 
thief:  cf.  SKELLUM. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  123.  None 
holds  him,  but  all  cry,  Lope,  SCELLUM, 
lopel 

SCENE,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  An  ex- 
hibition of  feeling  or  temper. 

1847.  BRONTE,  Jane  Eyre,  xxvii. 
You  have  no  desire  to  expostulate,  to  up- 
braid, to  make  a  SCENE. 

1862.  THACKERAY,  Philip,  xxvii. 
Hush  !  hush  !  .  .  .  she  must  be  kept 
quiet  .  .  .  There  must  be  no  more  SCENES, 
my  fine  fellow. 

BEHIND  THE  SCENES,  phr. 
(colloquial).  —  Having  access  to 
information  not  open  to  the 
general  public  ;  in  the  KNOW 


SCENE-RAT,  subs.  phr.  (theatrical). 
—  An  "extra"  in  ballet  or 
pantomime. 

SCEPTRE,  subs,  (venery).  —  The 
penis:  see  PRICK.  Also  CYPRIAN 
SCEPTRE. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  \.  xi. 
One  of  them  would  call  it  her  fiddle- 
diddle,  her  staff  of  love  .  .  .  her  CYPRIAN 
SCEPTRE. 

1772.     BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 

S.    Now  night  came  on,  The  thund'rer  led 
is  helpmate  to  her  wicker  bed  ;  There 
they  agreed,  and  where's  the  wonder,  His 
SCEPTRE  rais'd  she  soon  knock'd  under. 

SCHEME,  subs.  (Winchester).  —  See 
quot.—  MANSFIELD  (^1840). 


1891.  WRENCH,  Word  Book,  s.v. 
SCHEME  .  .  .  The  candle  on  reaching  a 
measured  point  ignites  paper,  which  by 
burning  a  string  releases  a  weight ;  this 
falls  on  the  head  of  the  boy  to  be  waked. 

SCHISM-SHOP,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
A  dissenting  meeting-house  ; 
SCHISM-MONGER  =  a  dissenting 
parson  (GROSE)  :  amongst  Catho- 
lics any  Protestant  church  or 
chapel. 

1840.  HALIBURTON,  Clockmaker, 
38.,  iv.  "Stickin'  a  subscription  paper 
into  a  very  strait-laced  man,  even  for 
building  a  SCHISM-SHOP  for  his  own  folks, 
is  like  stickin'  a  needle  behind  an  ox's  ear, 
it  kills  him  dead  on  the  spot." 

1852.  SHIRLEY  BROOKS,  Miss  Violet 
and  her  Offers,  vi.  "The  tenants-at-will 

who    vote    for    church    candidates ." 

"  By  the  tenants-at-won't,  who  go  in  for 
the  SCHISM-SHOP  " — dashed  in  the  smart 
barrister. 

SCHITT,  subs.  (Winchester). — A 
goal  :  at  football :  see  GOWNER. 
[WRENCH  :  This  was  the  word 
in  general  use  till  1860,  when  it 
was  superseded  by  'goal.'] 

SCH  LIVER,  subs.  (old). — A  clasp- 
knife  (BEE). 

SCHOL,  subs.  (Harrow).  —  I.  A 
scholar  ;  and  (2)  a  scholarship. 

SCHOOL,  subs.  (old). — 'A  party  of 
persons  met  together  for  the 
purpose  of  gambling '  (GROSE, 
VAUX).  Also  (modem)  any  small 
band  of  associates,  as  thieves  or 
beggars  working  together,  a  set 
of  passengers  travelling  regularly 
by  the  same  train,  &c.  Hence 
SCHOOLMAN  =  a  companion,  a 
mate. 
1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 

234.     Some   classes   of   patterers,    I    may 

here  observe,  work  in  SCHOOLS  or  '  mobs ' 

of  two,  three,  or  four. 

1866.  London  Miscellany,  3  Mar., 
57.  We  don't  want  no  one  took  in  that's 
on  the  square.  The  governor's  promised 
tbe  SCHOOL  as  strangers  sbant  use  the 
bouse, 


Schooling. 


Scoff. 


SCHOOLING,  subs,  (thieves').  —  A 
term  of  confinement  in  a  re- 
formatory. 

1879.  Auto,  of  Thief  [Macm.  Mag., 
xl.,  501].  She  is  young  —  just  come  from  a 

SCHOOLING. 

2.  (thieves').  —  See  quot. 

1888.  Globe,  25  Mar.  A  batch  of 
these  grimy  ones  being  brought  up  the 
other  day  for  playing  pitch  and  toss  —  in 
the  local  vernacular,  SCHOOLING—  in  a 
public  place,  their  counsel  argued  that 
they  were  driven  to  it  by  destitution. 

SCHOOL-  BUTTER,  suds.  phr.  (old). 
—  A  flogging  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 

SCHOOLMASTER,     i.  See  BILK. 

2.  (racing).  —  A  horse  good  at 
jumping  :  generally  ridden  with 
one  in  training. 

SCHOOL  OF  VENUS,  suits,  phr. 
(old).  —  A  brothel  :  see  NANNY- 
HOUSE  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 

SCHOOL-STREET,  siibs.  phr.  (old 
University  :  Oxon.).  —  The  Uni- 
versity. 

SCHOONER,  subs.  (American).  —  A 
tall  glass  :  containing  twice  the 
quantity  of  an  ordinary  tumbler  : 
THREE-MASTED  SCHOONER  =  a 

SCHOONER  of  extra  size. 

1888.  Texas    Sif  tings,      30     June. 
Thanks,  old  hoss  fly,  what  do  you  say  to 
taking  a  SCHOONER  of  beer  at  my  expense? 

1889.  D.   Telegraph,  8  Feb.     There 
is  a  coloured    man  at   Derby   who    can 
swallow   two  quarts  of  molasses  with  as 
much    ease    as    a    Whyo    can     drink    a 
SCHOONER  of  beer,  and  in  about  the  same 
time. 

See  PRAIRIE  SCHOONER. 

SCHWASSLE-BOX.  See  SWATCHEL- 
COVE. 


(literary).—  Gutting  a  book. 


SCISSORS.  To  GIVE  ONE  SCIS- 
SORS, verb.  phr.  (common). — To 
pay  out  ;  to  CUT  UP  (q.v.\  Also 
SCISSORS  !  =  an  exclamation  of 
disgust  or  impatience. 

1 843.  SELBY,  A  ntony  and  Cleopatra. 
Oh,  SCISSORS;  insinuate  that  it  takes  nine 
of  us  to  make  a  man  ! 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life,  64.  I 
grabbed  his  slick  har,  and  may  be  I  didn't 

GIN  HIM  SCISSORS. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  33. 
Oh,  SCISSORS  !  jest  didn't  we  give  'em 
tantivy. 

SCISSORS- AND- PASTE,  subs.  phr. 
(literary). — Compilation  :  as  dis- 
tinguished from  original  work. 
Fr.  travailler  a  coups  de  ciseatix 
=  to  compile. 

SCOB,  s^tbs.  (Winchester  College). 
— '  An  oak  box  with  a  double 
lid,  set  at  the  angles  of  the 
squares  of  wooden  benches  in 
school  :  used  as  desk  and  book- 
case. [Probably  the  word  has 
been  transferred  from  the  bench 
itself,  and  comes  from  Fr. 
escabeauy  Lat.  scabelhim.y — 
WRENCH. 

1620.  Account  [to  J.  Hutton  at  his 
entrance  into  the  College].  For  a  SCOBB 
to  hold  his  books,  35.  6d. 

1890.  G.  ALLEN,  Tents  of  Shem, 
xlii.  Parker's  SCOB  was  270. 

SCOFF  (or  SCORF),  verb,  (nautical). 

—  I.  To  eat  :    also    as  subs.  — 

food.     \Cf.  Scots'  scaff—  food  of 

any  kind.] 

1893.     FLYNT,      Tramping     with 

Tramps,   n.   iii.      SCOFF'S  always  more 

plenty  than  money. 

1901.    WALKER,  In  the   Blood,    iv 

'Those  birds  kill  snakes  do  they?'  .  .  . 

'  Rather  .  .  .  They  goes  down  themselves 

and  SCOFFS  them.' 

2.  (American).— To  run  away; 

TO    SKEDADDLE   (q.V.)  :   also    TO 

SCOFF  (or  SCUFF)  AWAY, 


Scoffer. 


116 


Sconce. 


SCOFFER,  subs,   (thieves'). — Plate. 

1891.  CAREW,  Auto,  of  a  Gipsy,  416. 
I  gets  clean  off  with  the  SCAWFER. 

SCOLD  RUM.    See  SCALDRUM. 

SCHOLLARD,  subs,  (vulgar).  —  A 
scholar. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversa- 
tions, Intro.  Happily  sings  the  Divine 
Mr.  Tibbald's  ...  I  am  no  SCHOLLARD  ; 
but  I  am  polite :  Therefore  be  sure  I  am 
no  Jacobite. 

SCOLOPENDRA,     Subs.       (old). A 

harlot :  *".*.,  a  ramping  thing  with 
a  sting  in    its    tail :   see    TART 

(HALLIWELL). 

£.1660.    DAVENANT,  The  Siege,  v.   x. 
Go,  bring  a  barrel  hither!    Why?  when 

yOU  SCOLOPENDRA. 

SCOLD'S  CURE,  subs.  phr.  (old).— 
A  coffin  :  '  the  blowen  has  napped 
the  SCOLD'S  CURE  ;  the  wench  is 
in  her  coffin '  (GROSE). 

SCONCE,  subs.  (old). — I.  The  head 
(GROSE,  HALLIWELL  =  '  Old 
Cant');  whence  (2)  sense,  judg- 
ment, brains. 

1567.  Damon  and  Pit  Mas  [DoD- 
SLEY,  Old  Plays,  iv.]. 

1593.  HARVEY,  New  Letter  [GRO- 
SART,  Wks. ,  i.  283].  That  can  play  vpon 
his  warped  SCONCE,  as  vpon  a  tabor,  or  a 
fiddle. 

1598.  FLORID,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
82.  A  head,  a  pate,  a  nole,  a  SCONCE. 

1602.  SHAKESPEARE,  Hamlet,  v.  i. 
Why  does  he  suffer  this  rude  knave  now 
to  knock  him  about  the  SCONCE  with  a 
dirty  shovel? 

1611.  BARRY,  Ram  Alley,  xii.  436. 
I  say  no  more,  But  'tis  within  this  SCONCE 
to  go  beyond  them. 

1642.  DR.  H.  MORE,  Psychodia,  iii. 
13.  Which  their  dull  SCONCES  cannot 
eas'ly  reach. 

1655.  FANSHAWE,  Lusiad,  viii.  51. 
Th'  infused  poyson  working  in  his  SCONCE. 

1664.  COTTON,  Scoffer  Scofft  [  Works 
(1725),  179].  I  go,  and  if  I  find  him  once, 
With  my  Battoon  I'll  bang  his  SCONCE. 


1771.  SMOLLETT,  Humphry  Clinker, 
Ixiii.  And,  running  into  the  house,  ex- 
posed his  back  and  his  SCONCE  to  the 
whole  family. 

1840.  THACKERAY,  Paris  Sketch 
Book,  no.  At  last  Fips  hits  the  West 
Indian  such  a  blow  across  his  SCONCE, 
that  the  other  grew  furious. 

1856.  R  BURTON,  El-Medinah,  357. 
Though  we  might  take  advantage  of  shade 
...  we  must  by  no  means  cover  our 

SCONCES. 

1895.  MARRIOTT- WATSON  [New  Re- 
view, July,  7].  I've  a  mind  to  open  that 
ugly  SCONCE  of  yours. 

2.  (old  :   now  University). — A 
fine  ;  a  score.     Hence  TO  BUILD 

A   SCONCE  (or  TO  SCONCE)  =  (i) 

to  run  up  a  score  :  spec,  with  no 
intention  of  paying ;  (2)  to  be 
mulcted  in  fines;  and  (3)  TO 
SCONCE  also  =  to  pay  out,  to 
chastise  (B.  E.,  DYCHE,  GROSE, 
BEE,  HOTTEN). 

1630.  RANDOLPH,  Aristippus  [HAZ- 
LITT,  Works  (1875),  14.  'Twere  charity 
in  him  TO  SCONCE  'em  soundly. 

1632.  SHIRLEY,  Witty  Fair  One,  iv. 
3.  I  have  had  a  head  in  most  of  the 
butteries  of  Cambridge,  and  it  has  been 
SCONCED  to  purpose. 

£.1640.  [SHIRLEY],  Capt.  Underwit 
[BULLEN,  Old  Plays,  ii.  323].  I  can 
teach  you  to  build  a  SCONCE,  Sir. 

^.1704.  T.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  282.  I 
never  parted  with  any  of  my  favours,  nay, 
not  ...  a  clap  gratis,  except  a  lieutenant 
and  ensign  .  .  .  once  .  .  .  BUILT  UP  A 
SCONCE,  and  left  me  in  the  lurch. 

1730.  MILLER,  Humours  ofOxfora, 
\.  I  understand  more  manners  than  to 
leave  my  friends  to  go  to  church— no, 
though  they  SCONCE  me  a  fortnight's 
commons,  I'll  not  do  it. 

1760.  JOHNSTON,  Chrysal.,  xxviii. 
These  youths  have  been  playing  a  small 
game,  cribbing  from  the  till,  and  BUILDING 
SCONCES,  and  such  like  tricks. 

1764.  COLMAN,  Terrce  Filius,  No. 
i.  Any  SCONCE  imposed  by  the  proctors. 

1768.  FOOTE,  Devil  on  Two  Sticks, 
ii.  i.  She  paid  my  bill  the  next  day 
without  SCONCING  off  sixpence. 


Sconick. 


117 


Scoot. 


1821.     The  Etonian,    ii.    391.    Was 
SCONCED   in  a  quart  of  ale  for  quoting 
Latin,  a  passage  front  Juvenal ;  murmured, 
fine  was  i 


and  the 


;  doubled. 


1883.  ELLACOMBE  [N.  &*  Q.,  6  S., 
viii.  326].  Men  were  SCONCED  if  acci- 
dentally they  appeared  in  hall  undressed. 
I  think  the  SCONCE  was  a  quantity  of  beer 
to  the  scouts.  The  scoNCE-table  was  hung 
up  in  the  buttery. 

1899.  Answers,  14  Jan.,  i.  i.  The 
average  freshman  is  not  very  long  at 
Oxford  before  he  is  acquainted  with  the 
mysteries  of  SCONCING.  A  SCONCE  is  a  fine 
of  a  quart  of  ale,  in  which  th^  unlucky 
fresher  is  mulcted  for  various  offences  in 
Hall. 

Verb,  (common). — 4.  To  re- 
duce ;  to  discontinue :  e.g. ,  TO 
SCONCE  ONE'S  DIET  =  to  BANT 

(<?.V.)  :    TO     SCONCE    THE     REC- 
KONING =  to  reduce  expenses. 

5.  (Winchester).— To  hinder; 
to  get  in  the  way  :  as  of  a  kick  at 
football,  a  catch  at  cricket,  &c.  : 
e.g.)  "If  you  had  not  SCONCED, 
I  should  have  made  a  flyer." 

1899.  Pub.  School  Mag.,  Dec.,  476. 
Opponents  who  get  in  each  others  way 
and  SCONCE  the  kicks. 

SCONICK,  verb.  (American). — To 
hurry  about ;  to  SHIN  ABOUT 

(<?.V.):   also  TO  SCON IGK  ROUND. 

1833.  NEAL,  Down  Rasters,  yii.  108. 
I  could  see  plain  enough  which  side  you 
was  on,  without  SKONICKIN'  round  arter 
you  much  further. 

SCOOP,  subs.  (American). — i.  A 
big  haul ;  an  advantage  :  spec, 
(journalists')  news  secured  in  ad- 
vance of  a  rival,  a  series  of  BEATS 
(q.v.).  Also  (2)  on  'Change,  a 
sudden  breaking  down  of  prices, 
enabling  operators  to  buy  cheaply, 
followed  by  a  rise.  As  verb.  — 
(i)  to  make  a  big  haul :  and  (2) 
to  get  the  better  of  a  rival. 

1882.  McCABE,  New  York,  160. 
He  runs  seventy  'busses  on  this  line,  and 
SCOOPS  IN  three  'r  four  hundred  a  day. 


1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,   22    Sep. 
Mr.  Terada,  the  editor,  is  in  jail  for  four- 
teen months  for  getting  a  SCOOP  on  the 
government. 

1889.  Referee,  6  Jan.    He  is  SCOOP- 
ING IN  the  shekels. 

1890.  Answers,  25  Dec.    Last  night 
he  slept  in  his  bed  when  we  walked  the 
streets  ...   To   think  that   he   should 
SCOOP  us  ! 

1896.  LILLAKD  Poker  Stories,  26. 
As  a  rule  he  SCOOPED  the  pot. 

3.  (common). — To  fetch,  to  fit. 

1888.  Sporting  Life,  7  Dec.  It 
would  better  SCOOP  the  situation  if  it  were 
described  as  'goloptious." 

Verb,  (whalers'). — I.  See  quot. 

1891.  Century   Mag.,    s.v.    SCOOP- 
ING.    The  right  [whalebone]  whale   gets 
into  a  patch  of  food  or  brit  (resembling 
sawdust  on  the  surface  of  the  water)  .  .  . 
goes  through  it   with  only  the  head  out 
and  mouth  open.     As  soon  as  a  mouthful 
of  water  is  obtained  the  whale  closes  its 
lips,  ejects  the  water,  the  feed  being  left  in 
the  mouth  and  throat  [Sailors'  slang]. 

ON  THE  SCOOP,  phr.  (com- 
mon).— On  the  drink,  or  a  round 
of  dissipation. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Any  Ballads,  47. 
An  English  milord  ON  THE  SCOOP  carn't  be 
equalled  at  blueing  a  quid. 

SCOOT  (SKOOT  or  SKUTE),  verb. 
(common). — To  move  quickly; 
ON  THE  SCOOT  =  on  the  run ; 
SCOOTER  =  a  restless  knockabout ; 
SCOOT-TRAIN  =  an  express. 

1838.  J.  C.  NEAL,  Charcoal  SketcJus 
'Pair  of  Slippers.'  Notwithstanding  bis 
convulsive  efforts  to  clutch  the  icy  bricks, 
he  SKUTED  into  the  gutter. 

18  [?].  HILL,  Yankee  Stories  [BART- 
LETT].  The  fellow  sat  down  on  a  hornet  s 
nest ;  and  if  he  didn't  run  and  holler,  and 
SCOOT  through  the  briar  bushes,  and  tear 
his  trowsers. 

1848.  LOWELL,  Biglow  Papers.  An 
send  the  Ensines  SKOOTIN'  to  the  bar-room 
with  their  banners. 

1858.  Atlantic  Monthly,  Mar.  The 
captain  he  SCOOTED  round  into  one  port 
an'  another. 


Scorcher. 


118 


Scotch. 


1869.  Quart.  Rev.,  cxxvi.  371.  The 
laugh  of  the  gull  as  he  SCOOTS  along  the 
shore. 

1871.  Philadelphia  Age,  Feb.  An 
Iowa  man,  instead  of  going  to  the  expense 
of  a  divorce,  gave  his  wife  a  dollar,  and 
told  her  to  SCOOT. 

iSSo.  HARRIS,  Uncle  Remus,  xxii. 
Wen  ole  man  Rabbit  say  '  SCOOT,'  dey 
SCOOTED,  en  w'en  ole  Miss  Rabbit  say 
4  scat,'  dey  scatted. 

1888.  Puck's  Library,  May  18. 
SCOOT  DOWN  and  buy  like  the  devil ! 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  He  Slumbered 
['  Pomes,"  118].  So  she  SCOOTED  from  the 
shanty. 

1894.  Sketch,  461,  i.  Once  settled 
there,  we  SCOOTED  around  for  members, 
but  there  was  at  that  time  no  subscription. 


SCORCH  ER,jwfa.  (common).— Any- 
body or  anything  severe,  eccen- 
tric, or  hasty.  Spec.  TO  SCORCH 
=  to  ride  a  bicycle,  drive  a  motor, 
&c.,  at  top  speed  :  whence 
SCORCHING  =  HOT  (q.V.). 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jack,  36.  It 
was  a  very  fine  hot  day  —  a  regular 
"SCORCHER." 

1885.  HAWLEY  SMART,  Past  to 
Finish,  361.  It's  a  SCORCHER  .  .  .  and 
Mr.  Elliston  not  '  weighing-in '  with  the 
Caterham  money  of  course  makes  it 
rather  worse  for  us. 

1889.  Corn/till  Mag.,  July,  62.     The 
next  day  was  a  SCORCHER. 

1890.  PENNELL,  Cant.   Pilgrimage, 
Preface.     We  were  pilgrims,  not  SCORCH- 
ERS. 

1890.  Polytechnic  Mag.,  13  Mar.,  5, 
i.  An  impromptu  SCORCH  was  started  by 
trying  to  keep  behind  a  really  fast  cabby  to 
obtain  shelter  from  the  wind. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  22. 
They're  regular  SCORCHERS,  these  women. 

1897.  Ally  Slater's  Half -Holiday, 
Oct.  23,  338,  3.  The  SCORCHER  charges, 
without  remorse,  At  all  the  people  who 
cross  his  path. 

1897.  Referee,  Oct.  24,  3,  i.  A 
said-to-be  SCORCHING  play  entitled  "At 
the  Foot  of  the  Altar." 


1901.  D.  Telegraph,  7  Jan.,  8,  3.  As 
a  result  of  complaints  as  to  the  excessive 
speed  at  which  motor-cars  are  driven  .  .  . 
the  police  have  been  keeping  a  sharp  look- 
out for  SCORCHERS. 

SCORE,  verb,  (common). — To  get 
the  better  of :  also  TO  SCORE  OFF 
ONE. 

SCORF.     See  SCORF. 

SCORPION -OF-THE- BROW,  subs, 
phr.  (literary).  —  See  quot.  (R. 
BURTON). 

1885.  BURTON,  Thousand  Nights,  i. 
168.  Note  3. — In  other  copies  of  these 
verses  the  fourth  couplet  swears  BY  THE 
SCORPIONS  OF  HIS  BROW,  i.e.  the  accroche- 
cceurs,  the  beau-catchers,  bell-ropes  or 
"  aggravators. " 

SCOT,  subs.  (old). — I.  A  person 
easily  vexed  ;  esp.  one  given  to 
resent  company  sport ;  the  diver- 
sion is  called  GETTING  ONE  OUT 

(or  ROUND  THE  CORNER).      Also 

(2)  =  temper;  a  PADDY  (q.v.}  ; 
Scottish  =  fiery,  easily  provoked. 
[GROSE  :  '  A  SCOT  is  a  bullock  of 
a  particular  breed  which  affords 
superior  diversion  when  hunted  ; 
BEE  :  '  A  butcher's  term  ']. 

SCOTCH,  subs,  (colloquial). —  i. 
Scotch  whiskey  :  cf.  IRISH. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  He  Slumbered 
['Pomes,'  118].  In  the  early  evening 
watches  he  had  started  well  on  SCOTCHES. 

1893.  CRACK  ANTHORPE,  Wreckage, 
125.  Mary,  two  bitters  and  a  small 
SCOTCH  to  the  Commercial  Room,  and  a 
large  Irish  for  Mr.  Hays  here. 

2.    See  SCOTCH-PEG. 

PHRASES.— SCOTCH-BAIT = '  A 
halt  and  a  resting  on  a  stick  as 
practised  by  pedlars  (GROSE) ; 
SCOTCH-CASEMENT  =  the  pillory  ; 
SCOTCH  -  CHOCOLATE  =  '  brim- 
stone and  milk  '  (GROSE)  ; 
SCOTCH  -  COFFEE  =  hot  water 


Scotch. 


119 


Scoundrel. 


flavoured  with  burnt  biscuit  ; 
SCOTCH-FIDDLE  =  the  itch  ;  TO 
PLAY  THE  SCOTCH-FIDDLE  =  'to 
work  the  index  finger  of  one  hand 
like  a  fiddle-stick  between  the 
index  and  middle  finger  of  the 
other'  (DYCHE,  GROSE)  ;  SCOTCH 
GREYS  =  lice:  hence  HEADQUAR- 
TERS OF  THE  SCOTS'  GREYS  =  a 
lowsy  head  (GROSE)  ;  SCOTCH- 
HOBBY  =  *  a  little  sorry,  scrubbed, 
low  Horse  of  that  country' 
(B.  E.);  SCOTCH-MIST  =  a  soak- 
ingrain  (B.  E.,  GROSE)  ;  SCOTCH- 
ORDINARY  =  '  the  house  of  office' 
(RAY);  SCOTCH-PEG  =  (rhyming) 
a  leg  :  also  SCOTCH  ;  SCOTCH- 
PINT  =  'a  bottle  containing  two 
quarts '  (GROSE)  ;  SCOTCH-PRIZE 
=  a  capture  by  mistake  (GROSE)  : 
cf.  DUTCH  ;  SCOTCH-SEAMAN- 
SHIP =  all  stupidity  and  main 
strength;  SCOTCH-WARMING-PAN 
=  (i)  a  chambermaid,  and  (2)  a 
fart  (q.v—  RAY,  B.  E.,  GROSE); 

TO  ANSWER  SCOTCH  FASHION  — 

to  reply  by  asking  another  ques- 
tion ;  cf.  YANKEE  FASHION. 

1675.  EARL  OF  ROCHESTER,  Tun- 
bridge  Wells,  June  30.  And  then  more 
smartly  to  expound  the  Riddle  Of  all  his 
Prattle,  gives  her  a  SCOTCH  FIDDLE. 

1762.  London  Register  [Notes  and 
Queries,  38.,  v.  14.]  "THE  SCOTCH 
FIDDLE,"  by  M'Pherson.  Done  from  him- 
self. The  figure  of  a  Highlander  sitting 
under  a  tree,  enjoying  the  greatest  of 
pleasures,  scratching  where  it  itches. 

1834.  MICHAEL  SCOTT,  Cruise  of 
Midge,  231.  What  ship  is  that?  This 
was  answered  SCOTCH  FASHION — What 
felucca  is  that? 

1851-61.  MAYHEVV,  London  Lab.,  i. 
357.  But  mind,  if  you  handle  any  of  his 
wares,  he  don't  make  you  a  present  of  a 
SCOTCH  FIDDLE  for  nothing. 

1868.  Temple  Bar,  xxv.  76.  The 
SCOTS  GREYS  were  frequently  on  the 
march  in  the  clothes  of  the  convicts. 

1886.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  23.  But 
some  buds  of  youthfull  purity,  with  undis- 
played  SCOTCH  PEGS.  Ibid.  Giddy  (70). 
With  that  portion  of  his  right  SCOTCH  PEG 
supposed  to  be  his  calf. 


1900.  St.  J antes  s  Gazette,  9  Ap.  3,  i. 
The  superiority  of  resources  on  our  side  is 
so  overwhelming  that  we  must  win  if  only 
by  what  the  sailors  call  SCOTCH  SEAMAN- 
SHIP. 

1883.  CLARK  RUSSELL,  Sailor's 
Language,  121.  SCOTCHMAN.  A  piece  of 
wood  fitted  to  a  shroud  or  any  other  stand- 
ing rope  to  save  it  from  being  chafed. 

SCOTCHMAN,  subs.  (Colonial). — A 
florin. 

1886.  RIDER  HAGGARD,  Jess,  x. 
Jantje  touched  his  hat,  spat  upon  the 
SCOTCHMAN,  as  the  natives  of  that  part  of 
Africa  [Transvaal]  call  a  two-shilling  piece, 
and  pocketed  it.  [(i)  Because  once  upon 
a  time  a  SCOTCHMAN  made  a  great  impres- 
sion on  the  simple  native  mind  in  Natal  by 
palming  off  some  thousands  of  florins 
among  them  at  the  nominal  value  of  half- 
a-crown.] 

FLYING  SCOTCHMAN,  subs, 
phr.  (common). — The  daily  2  p.m. 
express  from  Euston  to  Edinburgh 
and  the  North.  Cf.  WILD  IRISH- 
MAN. 

1885.  G.  DOLBY,  Dickens  as  I  knew 
him,  33.  A  railway  carriage  which  was 
being  dragged  along  at  the  rate  of  fifty 
miles  an  hour  by  the  FLYING  SCOTCHMAN. 

THE  SCOTCHMAN  HUGGING 
THE  CREOLE,  phr.  (West  Indian). 
— See  quot. 

1835.  M.  SCOTT,  Tom  Cringle,  xiv. 
The  SCOTCHMAN  HUGGING  THE  CREOLE  ; 
look  at  that  tree  .  .  .  It  was  a  magnificent 
cedar  .  .  .  covered  over  with  a  curious 
sort  of  fret-work,  wove  by  the  branches  of 
some  strong  parasitical  plant  .  .  . 

SCOTS  (THE),  subs,  (military).— 
The  1st  Batt.  Cameronians  (Scot- 
tish Rifles),  formerly  The  26th 
Foot :  circa  1762. 

SCOTT.     See  GREAT  SCOTT. 

SCOUNDREL,  subs,  (old  :  now  recog- 
nised). —  I.    'A  Hedge-bird   or 
sorry  Scab'  (B.  E.);  (2)  'a  man 
void  of  every  principle  of  honour 
(GROSE). 


Scour. 


120 


Scrag. 


SCOUR,  verb.  (old).  —  i.  To  run 
away  :  also  TO  SCOUR  AWAY  (or 
OFF). — GROSE. 

2.  (venery). — To  copulate  :  see 
GREENS  and  RIDE. 

1656.  FLETCHER,  Martiall,  n.  56. 
She  is  not  wont  To  take,  but  give  for 
SCOURING  of  her . 

TO    SCOUR    THE    DARBIES   (or 

CRAMP-RINGS),  verb.  pkr.  (Old 
Cant). — To  go  (or  lie)  in  chains 
[HARMAN  (1573),  HEAD,  B.  E., 
COLES,  GROSE]. 

1608.  DEKKER,  The  Beggar's  Curse 
[GROSART,  Works],  iii.  203.  Then  to  the 
quier  ken,  to  SCOURE  THE  CRAMP-RING. 

1707.  SHIRLEY,  Triumph  of  Wit, 
'Rum-Works  Faithless  Maunder.'  Thou 
the  Cramp-rings  ne'er  did  SCOWRE. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering, 
xxxviii.  No  wonder  that  you  SCOUR  THE 
CRAMP-RING  and  trine  to  the  cheat  sae 
often. 

SCOURER  (or  SCOWRER),  suds. 
(old).  —  I.  {  Drunkards,  beating 
the  Watch,  breaking  Windows, 
clearing  the  Streets,  &c.  (B.  E.  : 
also  GROSE)  :  whence  (2)  a  night- 
thief.  Hence  TO  SCOUR  THE 
STREETS  =  to  act  riotously. 

C.I70O.  Gentleman  Instructed,  491 
[10  ed.,  1732].  He  spurr'd  to  London,  and 
.  .  .  Here  he  struck  up  with  sharpers, 
SCOURERS,  and  Alsatians. 

1712.  STEELE,  Spectator,  324.  Bul- 
lies and  SCOWERERS  of  a  long  standing. 

1712.  GAY,  Trivia,  iii.  325.  Who 
has  not  heard  the  SCOWERERS  midnight 
fame  ?  Who  has  not  trembled  at  the  Mo- 
hock's name? 


SCOUT,  subs.  (Oxford  Univ.).— i. 
A  college  servant — a  valet,  waiter, 
messenger,  &c.,  in  one  (GROSE). 

1750..  The  Student,  i.  55.  My 
SCOUT,  indeed,  is  a  very  learned  fellow. 

1822.  SCOTT,  F.  of  Nigil,  xvi.  No 
SCOUT  in  Oxford,  no  gyp  in  Cambridge, 
ever  matched  him  in  speed  and  intelli- 
gence. 


1841.  HEWLETT,  Peter  Priggins, 
College  SCOUT,  &c.  [Title]. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  iii. 
Mr.  Robert  Filcher,  the  excellent,  though 
occasionally  erratic  SCOUT. 

1884.  JULIAN  STURGIS  in  Longmans', 
v.  65.  The  old  don  went  back  to  his  chair 
...  as  his  SCOUT  came  in  with  a  note. 

2.  (old).  —  A    watchman,    or 
(modern)  a  spy.  esq.  a  police  spy. 
Hence    SCOUT-KEN  =  a    watch- 
house  (FOULTER  (1754),  GROSE, 
VAUX). 

1800.  PARKER,  Life's  Painter,  116. 
There's  no  hornies,  traps,  SCOUTS,  nor 
beak-runners  amongst  them. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  iii. 
Turning  the  corner  of  Old  Bedlam,  A 
SCOUT  laid  me  flat  upon  my  face. 

3.  (old).— A    watch    (B.    E., 
GROSE). 

1688.  SHADWELL,  Squire  of  Alsatia, 
ii.  Sirrah  !  here's  a  SCOUT  ;  what's  a 
clock,  what's  a  clock,  Sirrah. 

1821.  HAGGART,  Life,  28.  Sporting 
an  elegant  dress  SCOUT,  drag,  and  chates. 

4.  (old). — A  mean  fellow ;    a 
SCAB  (q.v). — B.  E. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random,  xv. 
Though  I  be  a  poor  cobbler's  son,  I  am  no 
SCOUT. 

Verb.  (Sporting). — To  shoot 
pigeons  outside  a  gun-club  en- 
closure. 

To  SCOUT  ON  THE  LAY,  verb, 
phr.  (thieves'). — To  go  in  search 
of  booty. 

c.  1787.  Kilmainham  Minit  [Ireland 
Sixty  Years  Ago,  88}.  The  scrag-boy 
may  yet  be  outwitted,  And  I  SCOUT  again 

ON   DE   LAY. 

SCOWBANK,  subs,  (nautical). — A 
term  of  contempt  to  a  sailor  (C. 
RUSSELL). 

SCRAG  (or  CRAG),  sttbs.  (old). — 
The  neck;  COLQU ARRON  (q. v. ) : 
as  verb.  —  (i)  to  hang  ;  and  (2) 
to  throttle.  Hence  SCRAGGING 


Scrag. 


121 


Scran. 


=  an  execution  :  SCRAG-BOY  = 
the  hangman  ;  SCRAGGING-POST 
(SCRAG-SQUEEZER  or  SCRAG)  = 
the  gallows;  SCRAGG-'EM  FAIR 
=  a  public  execution  (GROSE, 
PARKER,  VAUX). 

^.1555.  LYNDSAV,  Tkrie  Estaitis 
[E.  E.  T.  S.,  4031].  Allace !  Maister,  ye 
hurt  my  CRAG. 

1579.  SPENSER,  Shep.  Calendar, 
Feb.,  89.  Thy  Ewes  that  woont  to  haue 
blowen  bags,  Like  wailefull  widdowes 
hangen  their  CRAGS. 

1653.  MIDDLETON,  Changeling,  \.  2. 
The  devil  put  the  rope  about  her  CRAG. 

1780.  TOMLINSON,  Slang  Pastoral, 
10.  What  Kiddy's  so  rum  as  to  get  him- 
self SCRAGG'D. 

£.1787.  Kilmainham  Minit  [Ireland 
Sixty  Years  Ago,  88].  But  if  dat  de  slang 
you  run  sly,  The  SCRAG-BOY  may  yet  be 
outwitted,  And  I  scout  again  on  de  lay. 

1820.  London  Mag.,  i.  26.  The 
SCRAGGING-POST  must  have  been  his  fate. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  Ixxxiii.  If 
he  pikes  we  shall  all  be  SCRAGGED. 

1829.  The  Lag^s  Lament  [Vidocq's 
Mem.,  iii.  169).  Snitch  on  the  gang, 
that'll  be  the  best  vay  To  save  your  SCRAG. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Roohwood,  v.  i. 
I  wish  I  was  as  certain  of  my  reward  as 
that  Turpin  will  eventually  figure  at  the 
SCRAGGIMG-POST. 

1836.  MILNER,    Turpin's   Ride    to 
York,   i.   3.     I   shall  never  come  to  the 
SCRAGGING-POST,  unless  you  turn  topsman. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.    So 
out  with  your  whinger  at  once  And  SCRAG 
Jane,  while  I  spiflicate  Johnny. 

1838.  DICKENS,  Oliver  Twist,  xviii. 
Indicating,  by  a  lively  pantomimic  repre- 
sentation,  that  SCRAGGING  and'  hanging 
were  one  and  the  same  thing. 

1843.  MONCRIEFF,  Scamps  oj  Lon- 
don, ii.  3.  He  was  three  times  lagged, 
and  werry  near  SCRAGGED. 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  7  August,  6,  2. 
His  waistcoat  was  of  the  tight  up  round 
the  SCRAG  pattern. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Straight 
Tip.  Until  the  squeezer  nips  your  SCRAG, 
Booze  and  the  blowens  cop  the  lot 


1803.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  61. 
A  crusher's  'ard  knuckles  a  crunching  yer 

SCRAG. 

1900.  KIPLING,  Stalky  &*  Co.,  46. 
Don't  drop  oil  over  my  '  Fors,"  or  I'll 
SCRAG  you. 

2.  (colloquial).—  A  raw-bones. 
Hence  SCRAGGY  =  lean  ;     thin 
(GROSE). 

3.  (Shrewsbury  School).—  See 
quot. 

1881.  PASCOE,  Public  Schools.  The 
highest  mark  is  twenty  with  a  cross  .  .  . 
and  so  down  to  a  huge  duck's  egg  and  a 
rent  across  the  paper  entitled  a  SCRAG. 

To  SCRAG  A  LAY,  verb.  phr. 
(old).  —  'To  steal  clothes  put  on 
a  hedge  to  dry  '  (TuFTs)  ;  TO  GO 
SNOWY-HUNTING 


phr. 


SCRAGG'S     HOTEL,      subs. 
(tramps').  —  See  quot. 

1886.  D.  Telegraph,  i  Jan.,  i.  It 
looked  very  much  as  though  we  should  be 
obliged  to  put  up  at  SCRAGG'S  HOTEL  — 
the  Work'us,  if  you  like  it  better. 

SCRAMBLE,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
feed  of  any  kind  :  usually  with 
a  qualifying  subs.  :  as  TEA- 
SCRAMBLE,  MUFFIN-SCRAMBLE, 
TOFFEE-SCRAMBLE,  &C. 

1901.  Troddles,  46.  '  Rats  !  .  .  . 
didn't  you  ever  have  a  TOFFEE  SCRAMBLE?  ' 

SCRAN,  subs,  (beggars').—  (i)  Food  : 
spec,  broken  victuals  ;  (2)  = 
refuse  ;  also  (3,  military)  =  a 
meal.  Hence  SCRAN-BAG  =  a 
haversack,  or  TOMMY-BAG  (y.v.); 
ON  THE  SCRAN  =  begging.  BAD 
SCRAN  TO  YE  !  (Irish)  =  a  mild 
malediction. 

1724.  HARPER,  Frisky  Molts  Song 
[FARMER,  Musa  Pedestris(\%Q6),  41.  But 
ere  for  the  SCRAN  he  had  tipt  the  cole,  The 
Harman  he  came  in. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  207. 
If  you  open  your  peepers  you'll  go  without 

SCRAN. 


Scrap. 


122 


Scrape. 


1841.  LEVER,  Charles  O'Malley, 
Ixxxv.  BAD  SCRAN  TO  ME  if  I  wouldn't 
marry  out  of  a  face  this  blessed  morning 
just  as  soon  as  I'd  look  at  ye. 

18.151.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,\.  466. 
Most  of  the  lodging-house  keepers  buy  the 
SCRAN  of  the  cadgers. 

c.i 876.  Music  Hall  Song,  'Uncle 
Attend  to  Tommy.'  And  if  he  gets  no 
SCRAN,  I  soon  shall  see  him  wollop  me  As 
hard  as  ever  he  can. 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  8  Feb.,  3,  2. 
She  used  to  buy  the  contents  of  their 
SCRAN  BAGS  of  'em.  The  broken  wittles 
was  no  good  to  them,  and  they'd  let  it  go 
cheap. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xviii.  Thin 
BAD  SCRAN  TO  HER.  Is  the  'onerable  Mrs. 
Putney  in  town?  The  bark  again  con- 
sulted his  book. 

4.  (common). — The  reckoning 
at  a  public-house. 

SCRAP,    subs,    (common). — (i)  A 

fight  ;      a      ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE 

(q.v.)  :    also    SCRAP-UP  :    hence 

SCRAPPING  (or  SCRAPPING- 
MATCH)  =  prize-fighting  or  box- 
ing ;  SCRAPPER  =  a  pugilist. 
Also  (2)  =  a  blow :  see  quot. 
1610. 

1610.  ROWLANDS,  Martin  Mark-All, 
40  (H.  Club's  Repr.,  1874).  SCRAPPES, 
fatte  and  glorious  bittes  :  sound  blowes 
and  hangings.  The  muggill  will  tip  you 
fat  SCRAPS  and  glorious  bits,  the  Beadle 
will  well  bumbast  you. 

1885.  G.  DOLBY,  Dickens  as  I  knew 
him,  102.  An  effect  .  .  .  resembling  a 
SCRAP  in  a  game  of  football. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  Sad  Heart 
['  Pomes,'  76].  Why,  he  can't  SCRAP  for 
nuts. 

1887.  D.  News,  3  Feb.,  7,  i.  He 
put  his  hat  down  in  the  hall,  and  said, 
"You  want  to  SCRAP."  (Laughter.)— Mr. 
D'Eyncourt  :  SCRAP  !  What  does  that 
mean  ? — Defendant :  It  is  some  boxing 
term,  sir.  He  came  squaring  up  to  me  in 
a  fighting  attitude,  and  then  I  admit  I  did 
the  best  I  could. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xvii.  I 
could  put  up  my  dooks,  so  I  backed  to 
SCRAP  a  cove  bigger  nor  me  for  a  finnif  a 
side.  The  SCRAP  came  off  down  the  river 
at  a  place  near  Erith. 


1896.  CRANE,  Maggie,  i.  He  mur- 
mured with  interest,  '  a  SCRAP,  Gee  ! '  He 
strode  over  to  the  cursing  circle.  Ibid., 
vi.  Dat  mug  SCRAPPED  like  a  dago.  He 
tau't  he  was  a  SCRAPPER.  But  he  foun' 
out  diffent. 

3.  (old). — '  A  villainous  scheme 

or     plot'  :     TO      WHIDDLE     THE 

WHOLE  SCRAP  =  '  to  discover  the 
plot '  (GROSE). 

SCRAPE,    subs,     (colloquial).  —  i. 
Trouble  ;  a  difficulty  (GROSE). 

1741.  WARBURTON,  Divine  Legation, 

11.  The  too  eager  pursuit  of  his  old  enemy 
has  led  him  into  many  of  these  SCRAPES. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random,  ix. 
He  got  himself  into  a  SCRAPE  by  pawning 
some  of  his  lordship's  clothes.  Ibid.  (1749), 
Gil  Bias  [ROUTLEDGE],  188.  By  this 
device  I  got  out  of  the  SCRAPE. 

1754.  Connoisseur,  No.  6.  I  had, 
indeed,  like  to  have  got  into  some  unlucky 
SCRAPES. 

1767.     STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy,  \. 

12.  This  unwary  pleasantry  of  thine  will 
.  .  .  bring  thee  into  SCRAPES  and   diffi- 
culties. 

1778.  SHERIDAN,  Rivals,  v.  i.  Have 
they  drawn  poor  ...  Sir  Lucian  into  the 

SCRAPE. 

1790.  BRUCE,  Source  of  Nile,  n.  456. 
The  Naybe  Musa  .  .  .  found  into  what  a 
terrible  SCRAPE  he  had  got. 

1797.  M.  G.  LEWIS,  Castle  Spectre, 
v.  i.  He'd  be  in  a  terrible  SCRAPE  if  you 
began  knocking  down  his  walls. 

1818.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  viii.  Jobson, 
however,  was  determined  that  Morris 
should  not  back  out  of  the  SCRAPE  or 
easily.  Ibid.  (1819),  Lammermoor,  viii. 
Unless  you  be  in  the  Jacobite  SCRAPE 
already,  it  is  quite  needless  for  me  to  drag 
you  in. 

2.  (common). — An  obeisance  : 
also  as  verb  —  to  salute  by  scrap- 
ing the  feet ;  SCRAPE-SHOE  =  a 
sycophant :  see  LEG. 

1632.  MASSINGER  [?],  City  Madam, 
jv.  i.  Live,  SCRAPE-SHOE,  and  be  thankful. 

£.1840.  MANSFIELD,  School  Life  in 
Winchester.  When  a  Praefect  wished  to 
go  out  of  School  he  SCRAPED  with  his  foot 
till  he  got  a  nod  from  the  Master. 


Scrape. 


123 


Scratch. 


1851.  HAWTHORNE,  Seven.  Gables, 
xi.  He  took  off  his  Highland  bonnet,  and 
performed  a  bow  and  SCRAPE. 

3.  (common). — A  shave:  hence 
SCRAPER  =  (a)  a  razor,  and  (b)  a 
barber  ;  and  as  verb  =  to  shave. 

1869.  Public  Opinion,  19  June.  The 
beard  and  moustache  which  the  sailors  in 
the  Royal  Navy  will  be  permitted  to  wear, 
thereby  doing  away  with  the  objection 
that  blue-jackets  have  to  the  SCRAPER. 

4.  (school). — Cheap     butter: 
whence  BREAD  AND  SCRAPE  = 
(a)  bread  very  thinly  spread  with 
butter,   and  (b)  short  commons. 
SCRAPE  also  =  short  shrift. 

1873.  BROUGHTON,  Nancy,  xlvii. 
Some  people  have  their  happiness  thinly 
spread  over  their  whole  lives,  like  BREAD 

AND   SCRAPE ! 

1899.  Pall  Mall  Gazette,  5  Ap.,  2,  i. 
From  the  French  adventurers  he  was  only 
likely  to  get  what  schoolboys  call  SCRAPE, 
for  though  musical  boxes  and  patent  arm- 
chairs are  all  very  well  in  the  way,  they  do 
not  serve  to  check  a  Dervish  attack  or  to 
keep  wild  Somalis  in  subjection. 

5.  (old). — A  turn  at  fiddling: 
also    SCRAPING  ;     as    verb  —  to 

fiddle;  SCRAPER(orGUT-SCRAPER) 

=  a     fiddler.       See     CAT-GUT 
SCRAPER. 

1607.  DEKKER  and  WEBSTER,  West- 
ward Hoe,  v.  i.  '  They  are  but  rosining, 
sir,  and  they'll  SCRAPE  themselves  into 
your  company  presently  '  .  .  .  '  Plague  a' 
their  cat's-guts  and  their  SCRAPING.' 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May-day,  iv.  i. 
Strike  up,  SCRAPERS  ! 

d.i66j.    COWLEY  [JOHNSON].    Out !  ye 
sempiternal  SCRAPERS. 

1785.  BURNS,  Jolly  Beggars,  Her 
charms  had  struck  a  sturdy  Caird,  As 
weel's  a  poor  GUT-SCRAPER. 

6.  (old).  — A    miser:    also 

SCRAPER,          SCRAPE- PENNY, 
SCRAPE-ALL,    SCRAPESCALL,   and 

SCRAPEGOOD.    As  verb  —  to  stint, 
to  deny. 

1631.  G.  HERBERT,  Temple,  '  Church 
Porch.'  Never  was  SCRAPER  brave  man. 


1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  in.  iv. 
A  pinch-penny,  a  SCRAPE-GOOD  wretch. 

c.i  696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SCRAPE  ALL,  a  Money-Scrivener :  also  a 
miserable  Wretch,  or  gripping  Fellow. 

TO  SCRAPE  THE  ENAMEL,  verb, 
phr.  (cyclists').— To  scratch  the 
skin  :  by  a  fall. 

See  ACQUAINTANCE  ;  LEG. 

SCRAPER,  subs,  (nautical).  —  A 
cocked  hat  (C.  RUSSELL). 

See  SCRAPE,  CATGUT-SCRAPER, 
ELBOW-SCRAPER. 

SCRAPING,  subs.  (old). — See  quot. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SCRAPING.  A  mode  of  expressing  dislike 
to  a  person,  or  sermon,  practised  at  Oxford 
by  the  students,  in  SCRAPING  their  feet 
against  the  ground  during  the  preachment ; 
frequently  done  to  testify  their  disappro- 
bation of  a  proctor  who  has  been,  they 
think,  too  rigorous. 

SCRAPE-TRENCHER,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — A  glutton. 

1772.  FOOTE,  Nabob,  iii.  So,  Mr. 
SCRAPETRENCHER,  let's  have  no  more  of 
your  jaw. 

SCRAPPY  (SCRAPPINESS,  and 
SCRAPPILY),  adj.,  subs,  and  adv. 
(colloquial). — Made  up  of  odds 
and  ends  ;  in  driblets ;  without 
system. 

1872.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch,  ii. 
Balanced  .  .  .  neatness  .  .  .  conspicuous 
from  its  contrast  with  .  .  .  SCRAPPY 
slovenliness. 

1886.  Cent.  Rev.,  xlix.  779.  [Car- 
lyle]  was  still  a  raw,  narrow-minded, 
SCRAPPILY  educated  Scotchman. 

1890.  Academy,  12  Ap.,  Adv.  iv. 
Well  graduated  and  sufficiently  long  to 
avoid  SCRAPPINESS. 

SCRATCH,  subs,  (old  Scots'). — i. 
See  quot.  :  also  SCRAT  (COLES). 

1560.  LINDSAY,  of  Pitscottie,  Croni- 
cles  (Edinburgh,  1883,),  i.  162.  Thare  was 
one  borne  quhich  had  the  memberis  both 
of  male  and  female,  called  in  cure  language 
ane  SCRATCH. 


Scratch. 


124 


Scratch. 


2.  (old). — A  swaggerer  (HAL- 
LIWELL). 

3.  (old).— The    itch    (HALLI- 
WELL).      Hence   SCRATCHLAND 
=  Scotland  :  cf.   SCOTS  GREYS. 

4.  (old).  —  A     miserly     man 
(HALLIWELL). 

5.  (sporting).  —  In    handicaps 
(a)  a  starting  line  for  those  con- 
testants allowed  no  odds,  (6)  the 
time  of  starting,    (c)  a  start,  (d) 
contestants    starting     from    the 
scRATCH-line.     In  boxing,  a  line 
drawn  across  the  RING  (g.v.)  to 
which  boxers  are  brought  for  a 
SET-TO    (GROSE).       Hence    TO 
COME  (or  BRING)  UP  TO  (or  TOE) 
THE    SCRATCH  =  to    be    ready, 
willing. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  51. 
Sprightly  to  the  SCRATCH  both  buffers 
came. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  I.  i.  I 
challenge  thee  to  the  SCRATCH  !  Tis  one 
of  the  Fancy  calls  ! 

1825.  JONES,  '  True  Bottom 'd  Boxer ' 
[Univ.  Songst.,  ii.  96].  He's  for  the 
SCRATCH,  and  COME  UP  too  IN  TIME. 

1827.  SCOTT,  Two  Drovers,  ii. 
"How  would  you  fight  then?"  said  his 
antagonist ;  "  though  I  am  thinking  it 
would  be  hard  to  BRING  you  TO  THE 
SCRATCH  anyhow." 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  iv.  ii. 
Bold  came  each  buffer  to  the  SCRATCH. 

1857.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  n. 
iv.  Wondering  ...  if  the  gaining  palms 
in  a  circus  was  the  customary  "flapper- 
shaking  "  before  TOEING  THE  SCRATCH  for 
business. 

1880.  Atheneeutn,  4  Sept.,  316,  2. 
A  young  lady,  apparently  of  about  thirteen 
years  of  age,  who  comes  on  the  stage  in  a 
short  frock,  BRINGS  a  timid  and  recalci- 
trant lover  TO  THE  SCRATCH. 

1885.  M.  Post,  5  Feb.  The  former 
starting  from  SCRATCH,  and  the  latter  in 
receipt  of  zoo  points. 

1885.  Century  Mag.,  xl.  207.  The 
SCRATCH,  or  line  from  which  the  jump  is 
taken  is  a  joist  some  five  inches  wide,  sunk 
flush  with  the  ground 


1892.  ANSTEV,  Voces  Pofuli,  '  At  the 
Military  Tonrnament,'  97.  (The  chestnut 
is  at  length  brought  UP  TO  THE  SCRATCH 
snorting,  etc.) 

6.  (billiards). — A  FLUKE  (q.v.). 

Adj.  (colloquial).— Generic  for 
chance  :  hap-hazard,  hasty,  '  first 
come,  first  served.'  Thus  a 

SCRATCH  -  CREW        (-TEAM,       or 

-COMPANY)  =  a  crew,  &c.,  got 
together  at  short  notice  and  with- 
out special  selection ;  SCRATCH- 
RACE  =  a  contest,  unrestricted  by 
conditions,  a  '  Go-as-you-please  * 
affair ;  A  SCRATCH-MEAL  =  a 
PICK-UP  (q.v.}  meal;  &c.,  &c. 

Also    TO    SCRATCH     ALONG  =  to 

manage  somehow. 

1859.  LEVER,  Davenport  Dunn,  Ivi. 
Gathered  together  like  what  jockies  call  a 

SCRATCH-TEAM, 

1869.  Orchestra,  18  June.     There  is 
no     English     company— not    the    best- 
worthy  of  comparison  with  Felix's  SCRATCH 
TROUPE  in  respect  of  ensemble,  of  accurate 
detail. 

1870.  Figaro,    is    Feb.      I    do    not 
much  like  the  look  of  the  SCRATCH  COM- 
PANY that  Messrs.  Montague,  James,  and 
Thome  have  got  together. 

1874.  COLLINS,  Frances,  xlii. 
Frances  and  Cecilia,  coming  down,  found 
a  hasty  luncheon,  and  everybody  busy  at 
it  ...  When  this  SCRATCH  LUNCHEON 
was  over,  everybody  went  out. 

1883.  OLIPHANT,  Altiora  Pets,  i. 
xvi.  261.  A  coarse-fibred,  stumpy  little 
man  .  .  .  whose  vulgarity  wo»ld  have 
fatally  handicapped  any  other  woman  than 
his  lovely  and  talented  wife  in  the  social 

SCRATCH   RACE. 

1885.  Field,  4  Ap.  Notwithstanding 
their  long  preparation  and  perfect  coaching 
[they]  looked  like  SCRATCH  CREWS. 

1888.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxvii.  88.  I 
suspect  we'll  SCRATCH  ALONG  all  right. 

Verb,  (colloquial). — i.  To  ex- 
punge ;  to  blot-out ;  spec,  (a)  to 
reject  a  horse,  a  candidate,  &c.  ; 
and  (b)  to  retire. 


Scratched. 


125 


Screamer. 


1860.  W.  H.  RUSSELL,  Diary  in 
India,  i.  189.  His  last  act  is  to  try  and  get 
his  name  SCRATCHED. 

1868.  WHVTE  -  MELVILLE,  White 
Rose,  i.  xiii.  How's  the  hoose  ?  .  .  .  You 
haven't  SCRATCHED  him,  have  ye  ? 

1884.  D.  Telegraph,  25  August,  3,  4. 
An  acceptance  of   fourteen    has  already 
been  cut  down  to  a  dozen  by  the  SCRATCH- 
ING  of   Jetsam  and  Loch  Ranza.     Ibid. 
(1885),   6  Oct.     One  of   his  owner's  first 
actions  .  .  .  was  to  SCRATCH  the  horse. 

1885.  D.    Chronicle,    3   July.    The 
Eton  boys  .  .  .  made  up  their  minds  on 
Wednesday  evening  to  SCRATCH. 

1888.  D.  Chronicle,  loDec.  Grimsby 
Town  received  a  bye,  Gainsborough 
Trinity  having  SCRATCHED  to  them. 

1888.  Sp.  Life,  18  Dec.  As  she  was 
clearly  handicapped  out  of  the  race  at  Wye 
I  had  no  option  but  to  SCRATCH  her. 

2.  (colloquial"), — To  scribble  : 
as  subs.  —  a  scrawl.  SCRATCHER 
(U.  S.)  =  a  daybook. 

</.i745.  SWIFT  [Century],  If  any  of 
their  labourers  can  SCRATCH  out  a  pam- 
phlet, they  desire  no  wit,  style,  or  argu- 
ment. 

1172.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch,  Ixxv. 
This  is  Chichely's  SCRATCH.  What  is  he 
writing  to  you  about. 

1887.  PHIL.  LEDGER,  30  Dec.  He 
[a  bank  teller]  would  not  enter  deposits  in 
his  SCRATCHER  after  a  certain  hour. 

PHRASES.  —  No  GREAT 
SCRATCH  =  of  little  value  ;  OLD 
SCRATCH  (q.v.) ;  TO  SCRATCH 
ONE'S  WOOL  (tailors')  =  to  try 
one's  memory,  to  puzzle  out; 
•SCRATCH  my  breech  and  I'll 
claw  your  elbow'  (KA  ME,  KA 

THEE,    q.V.)',    NOT  A    SIXPENCE 
TO  SCRATCH  HIS  ARSE  WITH  = 

penniless. 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship  De- 
tailed, 136.  There  are  a  good  many 
Joneses  in  Georgia,  and  I  know  some  my- 
self that  ain't  NO  GREAT  SCRATCHES. 


SCRATCHED,  adj.  (Old  Cant). — 
Drunk :  see  SCREWED.  [TAYLOR, 
Water  Poet,  1630]. 


SCRATCHER,  subs.  (American).— i. 
An  independent  elector  ;  a 
BOLTER  (q.V.). 

1883.  Atlantic  Monthly,  LII.  327. 
To  whom  a  SCRATCHER  is  more  hateful 
than  the  Beast. 

See  SCRATCH,  verb.  2. 

SCRAWNY,  subs.  (American).— A 
thin,  ill-made  man  or  woman;  A 

RASHER  OF  WIND  (f.V.). 

1890.  Detroit  Free  Press,  21  June, 
5,  3.  If  the  line  is  to  be  drawn  between 
the  SCRAWNY  and  the  adipose,  the  SCRAW- 
NIES  have  it.  They  are  full  of  delightful 
possibilities. 

SCREAMER,  subs,  (common). — i. 
An  exceptional  person  or  thing  : 
hence  SCREAMING  =  first  -  rate, 
splendid  :  spec,  as  causing  screams 
of  laughter. 

1846.  THORPE,  Backwoods  [Century], 
If  he's  a  specimen  of  the  Choctaws  that 
live  in  these  parts,  they  are  SCREAMERS. 

1847.  PORTER,    Quarter  Race,  189. 
1  Now  look  out  for  a  SCREAMER  I ' 

1853.  WH-  MELVILLE,  Digby Grand, 
xx.  I  am  in  for  a  SCREAMER,  and  the  bill 
for  which  I  am  arrested  is  only  a  ruse  to 
prevent  my  leaving  England. 

1864.  HOTTEN,  Slang  Diet,  s.v. 
SCREAMING  .  .  .  Believed  to  have  been 
used  in  the  Adelphi  play  -  bills  :  "a 
SCREAMING  farce,"  one  calculated  to  make 
the  audience  SCREAM  with  laughter. 

1874.  Siliad,  49.  There'll  be  no 
child's  play  in  the  Russian  dug,  Twill  be 
a  SCREAMER,  and  a  frightful  tug. 

1879.  BRADDON,  Cloven  Foot,  vi. 
"Well,  cried  the  manager,  radiant,  "a 
SCREAMING  success.  There's  money  in  _it. 
I  shall  run  this  three  hundred  nights." 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  19  Jan.,  3,  5.  A 
more  amusing  half-hour  could  not  be  spent 
than  under  the  influence  of  this  farce, 
which,  in  the  old  Adelphi  days  would 
most  emphatically  have  been  called  a 
SCREAMER,  /oia.  (1888),  8  Dec.  The 
1  Deputy-Registrar'  is  a  SCREAMER  indeed. 

1888.  RUNCIMAN,  Chequers,  38.  She's 
a  SCREAMER,  she's  a  real  swell. 


Screech. 


126 


Screw. 


1891.  Sporting  Life,  25  Mar.  The 
piece,  which  is  of  the  SCREAMING  order  of 
farce,  certainly  produces  abundant  laugh- 
ter. 

1803.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  77. 
Yank  on  to  one  gal,  a  fair  SCREAMER. 

2.  (thieves').  —  A  thief  who, 
robbed  by  another  thief,  applies 
to  the  police  ;  in  American  a 
SQUEALER  (q.V.). 

SCREECH,  subs,  (common).  —  Whis- 
key :  see  OLD  MAN'S  MILK. 

SCREECH  ER,  subs,  (colloquial).  — 
Anything  harsh  or  strident. 
Hence  SCREECHY  =  loud  mouthed. 

SCREED.  SCREED  o'  DRINK,  stibs. 
phr.  (Scots').  —  I.  A  full  supply  ; 
whence  (2)  a  drinking  bout. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxv. 
Naething  confuses  one,  unless  it  be  a 
SCREED  O'DRINK  at  an  oration. 

SCREEN,  subs.  (old).  —  A  bank  note 
(GROSE,  VAUX).  Hence  SCREEN- 
FAKING  =  fingering  notes  ;  QUEER 
SCREENS  =  counterfeit  paper  :  cf. 

SCREEVE. 

1  83  1.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  u.  v. 
Vy,  it's  full  of  pot-hooks  and  hangers  —  and 
not  a  SCREEN  L£i  note]  in  it. 

1830.  MONCRIEFF,  Heart  of  Lon- 
don, u.  i.  A  little  SCREEN-FAKING,  that's 
all. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Roodwood,  '  Nix 
my  Dolly.'  Readily  the  QUEER  SCREENS 
I  then  could  smash. 

1840.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  xxxi. 
Stretched  for  smashing  QUEER  SCREENS. 


SCREEVE  (or  SCREAVE),^^^.  (old). 
I.  Anything  written  :  a  begging 
letter,  a  testimonial,  chalk  pave- 
ment work,  &c.  Also  (2)  a  bank 
note  (Scots)  :  cf.  SCREEN  ; 
ScREEVETON  =  the  Bank  of  Eng- 
land. As  verb.  —  to  write,  or 
draw;  SCREEVER  (or  SCREEVE- 
FAKER)  =  (i)  a  cheeky  beggar 
(GROSE,  VAUX),  and  spec.  (2)  a 
pavement-  '  artist.  ' 


1821.  HAGGART,  Life,  25.  The 
SCREAVES  were  in  his  benjy  cloy. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  \. 
339.  Professional  beggars  are  .  .  .  those 
who  '  do  it  on  the  blob '  (by  word  of 
mouth),  and  those  who  do  it  by  SCREEV- 
ING,  that  is,  by  petitions  and  letters.  Ibid. 
i.  .341.  Such  a  '  fakement '  [a  begging 
petition,  &c.],  put  into  the  hands  of  an  ex- 
perienced lurker,  will  bring  the  'amanu- 
ensis,' or  SCREEVER,  two  guineas  at  least, 
and  the  proceeds  of  such  an  expedition 
have  in  many  cases  averaged  ,£60  per 
week.  Ibid.,  \.  542.  His  chief  practice 
was  SCREEVING  or  writing  on  the  pave- 
ment. Ibid.  (1862),  iv.  442.  The  next 
SCREEVE  takes  the  form  of  a  resolution  at 
a  public  meeting. 

1857.  Punch,  31  Jan.,  49.  It's  agin 
the  rules  is  SCREEVIN*  to  pals  out  o'  gaol. 

1866.  London  Miscellany,  3  Mar., 
57.  "  You'd  better  be  a  SCREEVER  if  they 
ask  you,"  said  he.  "  That'll  account  for 
your  hands,  you  know."  "You  mean  a 
begging-letter  writer?  " 

1883.  Punch,  14  July,  13,  2.     Here 
is  a  brilliant  opening  for  merry  old  Aca- 
demicians,   festive    flagstone    SCREEVERS, 
and  "distinguished  amateurs." 

1884.  World,^  16  April,   15,   i.     A 
correspondent      writes :      "  Apropos     of 
SCREEVER  .  .  .  does  it  get  its  derivation 
from  the  Italian  scrivere,  to  write?  " 

1887,  HENLEY,  Villon's  Straight 
Tip,  i.  Suppose  you  SCREEVE  or  go 
cheap-jack. 

1889.  Answers,  27  July,  136,  2.  A 
list  of  subscribers  to  a  charity  is  carefully 
cut  out  by  the  SCREEVERS  and  studied. 
Ibid.  A  clerk  is  frequently  called  a 
SCREEVER,  but  a  SCREEVER  proper  (or 
improper)  is  such  a  remarkable  person. 

SCREW,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  An 
extortioner  ;  a  miser.  As  verb. 
=  to  coerce  into  paying  or  saving 
money,  or  making  a  promise, 
yielding  one's  opinion,  vote, 
person,  &c.  :  also  TO  SCREW  UP 
(or  OUT),  and  TO  PUT  ON  (or 
UNDER  or  TURN)  THE  SCREW 
(B.  E.,  GROSE);  SCREWY  (or 
SCREWING)  =  mean. 

c.i 696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SCREW,  TO  SCREW  ONE  UP,  to  exact  upon 
one,  or  Squeeze  one  in  a  Bargain  or 
Reckoning. 


Screw. 


127 


Screw. 


1781.  COWPER,  Truth,  385.  Strained 
to  the  last  SCREW  he  can  bear. 

1847.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair, 
viii.  They  both  agreed  in  calling  him  an 
old  SCREW,  which  means  a  very  stingy, 
avaricious  person. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lend.  Lab.,  \. 
319.  Mechanics  are  capital  customers 
.  .  .  They  are  not  so  SCREWY. 

1852.  Dow,  Sermons,  i.  302.  Love 
strains  the  heart-strings  of  the  human  race, 
and  not  unfrequently  PUTS  THE  SCREWS 
ON  so  hard  as  to  snap  them  asunder. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Newcotnes,  xliv. 
Did  you  ever  hear  of  me  SCREWING  ?  No, 
I  spend  my  money  like  a  man. 

1857.  New  York  Times,  15  Sep. 
Such  TURNS  OF  THE  SCREWS  as  we  have 
had  for  the  last  three  weeks,  if  continued, 
would  bring  almost  every  mercantile  house 
in  New  York  to  wreck. 

1859.  KINGSLEY,   Geoffrey  Hautlyn, 
xxvn.     However  I  will  PUT  THE  SCREW 
ON  them.     They  shall  have  nothing  from 
me  till  they  treat  her  better. 

1860.  Cornhill  Mag.,   11.   381.     He 
was  an  immense  SCREW  at  school. 

1866.  G.  ELIOT,  Pelix  Holt,  xi.  A 
SCREWING  fellow,  by  what  I  understand— 
a  domineering  fellow— who  would  expect 
men  to  do  as  he  liked  without  paying  them 
for  it. 

1869.  GREENWOOD,  Seven  Curses, 
&*c.,  170.  If  I  entrust  my  tailor  with 
stuff  for  a  suit,  and  it  afterwards  comes  to 
my  knowledge  that  he  has  SCREWED  an 
extra  waistcoat  out  of  it. 

1874.  MRS.  H.  WOOD,  Johnny  Lud- 
low,  ist  S.,  No.  xvn.  301.  For  once  in 
his  SCREWY  life,  old  Brown  was  generous. 

1876.  BRADDON,  Joshua  Haggard, 
xxx.  He  were  so  hard  upon  'em,  and  that 
SCREWY,  never  a  drop  of  milk  or  a  fagot  to 
give  'em. 

1876.  BURNABY,  Ride  to  Khiva,  ii. 
The  Russians  will  not  openly  stop  you, 
but  they  will  PUT  THE  SCREW  UPON  our 
own  Foreign  Office  and  force  the  latter  to 
do  so. 

1885.  Field,  12  Dec.  The  utterly 
exorbitant  rents  that  Scotch  proprietors 
.  .  .  have  managed  to  SCREW  OUT  of 
sportsmen  in  the  last  few  years. 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  12  Sep.  He 
had  little  doubt  of  being  able  to  PUT  THE 
SCREW  ON  me  for  any  amount  I  was  good 
for. 


2.  (American  collegiate). — (a) 
An  unnecessarily  minute   exami- 
nation; and  (If)  a  SCREW.     The 
instructor  is  often  designated  by 
the  same  name.— (HALL,  College 
Words.} 

18  [?].  Harvard  Register,  378  [BART- 
LETT].  One  must  experience  the  stammer- 
ing and  stuttering,  the  unending  doublings 
and  guessings,  to  understand  fully  the 
power  of  a  mathematical  SCREW. 

3.  (common).  —  An     old    or 
worthless  horse  :  whence  (loosely) 
anything  old.     SCREWY  =  worn- 
out,  worthless. 

1835.  APPERLEY,  Nimrod's  Hunting 
Tour,  215.  Mr.  Charles  Boultbee,  the 
best  SCREW  driver  in  England.  (Note.) 
This  is  somewhat  technical,  and  wants  an 
explanation.  A  lame  or  very  bad  horse  is 
called  a  SCREW. 

1858.  LYTTON,  What  Will  He  Do 
with  it,  vin.  vi.  I  suppose  I  was  cheated 
and  the  brute  proved  a  SCREW. 

1869.  WHYTE-MELVILLE,  M.  or  N., 
6 1.     The  utmost  speed  attainable  by  a  pair 
of  high  wheels,  a  well-bred  SCREW,  and  a 
rough-looking  driver. 

1870.  R.   BROUGHTON,    Red  as   a 
Rose,  xix.      The  oldest  and   SCREWIEST 
horse  in  the  stables. 

1870.  Times,  23  July,  'Speech  of 
Lord  Granville.'  A  considerable  number 
of  what  are  vulgarly  called  SCREWS  have 
been  bought  at  £20  a  piece. 

1874.  COLLINS,  Frances,  xlii.  Julian 
Orchard  proved  his  skill  as  a  whip  by 
making  four  _  SCREWS  do  six  miles  in 
twenty-five  minutes. 

1897.  KENNARD,  Girl  in  Brown 
Habit,  i.  4.  A  couple  of  likely-looking 

SCREWS. 

4.  (common). — See  quot.  1851. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  r. 
494.  I  never  was  admitted  to  offer  them 
in  a  parlour  or  tap-room  ;  that  would  have 
interfered  with  the  order  for  SCREWS 
(penny  papers  of  tobacco),  which  is  a 
rattling  good  profit. 

i8[?]  DICKENS,  Reprinted  Pieces, 
(Bill-Sticking),  181.  A  pipe,  and  what  I 
understand  is  called  a  SCREW  of  tobacco — 
an  object  which  has  the  appearance  of  a 
curl-paper  taken  off  the  barmaid's  head 
with  the  curl  in  it. 


Screw. 


128 


Screw. 


5.  (common). — Money  earned. 

C.i86o.  Music-hall  Song,  'TheG.P.O.' 
He  often  thought  of  marriage,  though  his 
SCREW  was  low. 

1872.  Figaro,  18  May.  The  amateur 
element  .  .  .  takes  paltry  salaries  (often 
none),  and  keeps  down  the  SCREW  of  the 
actor. 

1879.  JUSTIN  M'CARTHY,  Donna 
Quixotc}  xvii.  They  get  a  good  SCREW  at 
the  music-halls,  I'm  told. 

1886.  D.  Telegraph,  25  Sep.  .£150 
per  annum  is  considered  quite  a  good 
SCREW  for  a  senior  hand. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  'Pomes,'  45. 
When  he  paid  him  his  SCREW. 

1892.  Ally  Sloper,  27  Feb.,  71,  3. 
He  had  now  the  neat  salary  of  ,£450  a 
year,  and  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
a  person  with  a  SCREW  like  that  might 
safely  commit  matrimony. 

6.  (old).— A  turnkey  (GROSE)  : 
Fr.  raf  and  griffleur.     As  verb. 
=  to    imprison  :    also    TO    PUT 

UNDER  THE  SCREW  ;   SCREWING 

=  a  term  of  imprisonment. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  I.  ii. 
Washing  the  ivory  with  a  prime  SCREW 
under  the  spikes  in  St.  George's  Fields. 
Ibid.,  ii.  vii.  The  officer,  for  his  own 
safety,  was  compelled  to  PUT  him  UNDER 
THE  SCREW.  Ibid,  (ist  ed.),  219.  If  ever 
I  am  SCREWED  UP  within  these  walls. 

1869.  Temple  Bar,  xxvi.  72.  He 
was  a  fool  to  let  the  SCREW  see  he  had  the 
snout. 

1872.  D.  Telegraph,  4  July.  The 
letter  was  produced  ...  It  was  to  the 
effect  that  the  woman  was  to  try  her  best 
with  the  SCREWS,  and  that  there  were 
plenty  of  "  quids  "  to  get  her  out  of  prison 
by  next  Monday. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
ii.  The  slang  name  for  all  the  officials  is 
SCREWS. 

1889.  Answers,    9    Mar.,     233,    3. 
Great  excitement  was  caused  ...  by  an 
attempt  made  by  a  prisoner  on  the  life  of  a 
warder.     The  SCREW  was  examining  the 
man,  who  was  working  as  a  tailor,  &c. 

1890.  Sportsman,  6  Dec.      He  was 
next  trained  to  run  at  Haydock  in  Sep- 


tember, and  got  a  good  SCREWING  for  an 
rnished  puppy  sixteen  months  old. 


unfun 


7.  (old). — A  skeleton -key  :  as 
verb.  =  to  burgle  :  spec,  by  means 
of  false  keys;    THE  SCREW  (or 
SCREW  -  GAME)    =    burglary; 
SCREWSMAN  =  a  burglar  (VAUX). 
Also  *to  stand  ON  THE  SCREW' 
=  (GROSE)    '  the    door    is     not 
bolted  merely  locked.' 

1852.  JUDSON,  Myst.  of  New  York, 
ii.  ii.  I  sent  on  to  have  the  SCREWS  fitted, 
and  somethin's  leaked  out,  for  they've  put 
a  glim  inside. 

1857.  SNOWDEN,  Mag.  Assistant 
(3rd  Ed.),  445.  Housebreaking  imple- 
ments— SCREWS. 

1868.  Temple  Bar,  xxv.  543.  From 
that  I  got  to  be  a  SCREWSMAN,  and  a 
cracksman. 

1879.  HORSLEY  [Macm.  Mag.,  xl. 
503],  I  had  the  James  and  SCREWS  on  me 
.  .  .  We  went  and  SCREWED  into  his  place, 
and  got  thirty-two  quid.  Ibid.,  505.  I 
asked  a  SCREWSMAN  if  he  would  lend  me 
some  SCREWS. 

1888.  CasselFs  Sat.  //.,  22  Dec., 
305.  The  SCREW  fits  the  same  as  if  it  had 
been  made  for  the  back  door. 

1888.  SIMS,  Plank  Bed  Ballad,  5. 
With  SCREWS  and  a  james  I  was  collared. 

8.  (old).  —  A    prostitute  :   see 
TART.      Whence,   as  verb.  —  to 
copulate  :  see  RIDE  (GROSE). 

9.  (common).  —  A    dram  ;    a 

PICK-ME-UP. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
iii.  It  seems  he  was  in  the  habit  of  taking 
every  morning  a  SCREW  in  the  shape  of  a 
little  dose  of  bitters  to  correct  the  effects 
of  the  last  evening's  festivities. 

10.  (old). — A    stomach    ache 
(HALLIWELL). 

A  SCREW  LOOSE,  verb.  phr. 
(old). -Something  wrong  (GROSE : 
*  a  complete  flash  phrase  '). 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  i.  vii. 
The  token  was  sufficiently  impressive  to 
remind  him  that  if  the  LOOSE  SCREW  was 
not  attended  to  the  hinges  would  be 
ultimately  out  of  repair. 


Screwed. 


129 


Screwed. 


1830.  MONCRIEFF,  Heart  of  London, 
\\.  a.  His  lordship  seems  hipped — some- 
thing wrong  in  the  House  last  night,_  I 
suppose — a  SCREW  LOOSE  on  the  opposition 
benches. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  xlix.  My 
uncle  was  confirmed  in  his  original  im- 
pression that  something  dark  and  my- 
sterious was  going  forward,  or,  as  he 
always  said  himself,  that  'there  was  A 
SCREW  LOOSE  somewhere.' 

1855.  TROLLOPS,  The  Warden,  viii. 
There's  a  SCREW  LOOSE  in  their  case,  and 
we  had  better  do  nothing. 

1872.  South  London  Press,  17  Aug. 
Whether  there  was  a  SCREW  LOOSE  in  the 
apparatus,  or  whether  the  man  possessed 
nerves  of  more  than  ordinary  power,  I 
know  not ;  but  somehow  or  other  the 
electricity  bad  no  effect. 

SCREWED  (or  SCREWY),  adj.  (com- 
mon).— Drunk;  TIGHT  (q.v.). 

ENGLISH  SYNONYMS.  —  [Fur- 
ther lists  will  be  found  under 
DRINKS,DRUNK,D.T'S,GALLON- 
DISTEMPER,  LUSH,  LUSH-CRIB, 
and  LUSHINGTON.]  To  BE 
afflicted,  afloat,  alecied,  all 
at  sea,  all  mops-and-brooms, 
in  one's  armour,  in  one's 
altitudes,  at  rest,  Bacchi  plemis, 
battered,  be-argered,  beery,  be- 
mused, a  bit  on,  blind,  bloated, 
blowed,  blued,  boozed,  bosky,  a 
brewer,  bright  in  the  eye,  bubbed, 
budgy,  buffy,  bung-eyed,  candy, 
canon  (or  cannon),  chirping- 
merry,  chucked,  clear,  clinched, 
concerned,  corked,  corkscrewed, 
corky,  corned,  crooked,  in  one's 
cups,  cup-shot,  cut,  dagged, 
damaged,  dead-oh  !  disguised, 
disorderly,  doing  the  Lord  (or 
Emperor),  done  over,  down  (with 
barrel-fever :  see  GALLON-DIS- 
TEMPER), dull  in  the  eye,  full  of 
Dutch-courage,  electrified,  ele- 
phant's-trunk  (rhyming),  elevated, 
exalted,  far  gone,  feeling  funny 
(or  right  royal),  fettled  (or  in  good 
fettle),  fighting-tight  (or  drunk), 


flawed,  floored,  fluffed,  flum- 
moxed, flushed,  flustered,  flus- 
trated,  flying-high,  fly-blown, 
fogged  (or  foggy),  fou  (Scots),  on 
fourth,  foxed,  fresh,  fuddled,  full, 
full-flavoured,  full  to  the  bung, 
fuzzy,  gay,  gilded,  glorious, 
grape-shot,  gravelled,  greetin'- 
fou',  groggy,  hanced,  half-seas- 
over,  happy,  hard-up,  hazy, 
heady,  hearty,  helpless,  hiccius- 
doccius,  hickey,  high,  hockey, 
hoodman,  in  a  difficulty  (see  GAL- 
LON-DISTEMPER), incog,  inspired, 
jagged,  jolly,  jug-bitten,  kennurd 
(back  slang = drunk),  all  keyhole, 
kisk,  knocked-up,  leary,  lion 
drunk,  in  Liquor-pond  Street- 
loaded,  looking  lively,  lumpy, 
lushy,  making  indentures  with 
one's  legs,  malted,  martin-drunk, 
mashed,  mellow,  miraculous, 
mixed,  moony,  mopped,  moppy, 
mortal,  muckibus,  muddled, 
mugged,  muggy,  muzzy,  nappy, 
nase  (or  nazy),  noddy-headed, 
noggy,  obfuscated,  oddish,  off  (off 
at  the  nail,  or  one's  nut),  on  (also 
on  the  bend,  beer,  batter,  fuddle, 
muddle,  sentry,  skyte,  spree, 
etc.:  see  FLARE-UP  and 
FLOORED),  out  (also  out  of  funds, 
register,  altitudes,  &c.),  overcome, 
overseen,  overshot,  over-sparred, 
overtaken,  over  the  bay,  palatic, 
paralysed,  peckish,  a  peg  too 
low,  pepst,  pickled,  piper-drunk 
(or  -merry),  ploughed,  poddy, 
podgy,  potted-off,  pot-shot,  pot- 
sick,  pot-valiant,  primed,  pruned, 
pushed,  queered,  quick-tempered, 
raddled,  rammaged,  ramping- 
mad,  rather  touched,  rattled, 
reeling  (or  tumbling),  ripe,  roaring, 
rocky,  salubrious,  scammered, 
scooped,  sewn  up,  shaky,  three 
(or  four)  sheets  in  the  wind,  shot, 
shot  in  the  neck,  slewed,  smeekit, 
smelling  of  the  cork,  snapped, 
snuffy,  snug,  so,  soaked,  sow- 


Screwed. 


130 


Screwed. 


drunk,  spiffed,  spoony-drunk, 
spreeish,  sprung,  squiffed  (or 
squiffy),  stale-drunk,  starchy, 
swattled,  swiggled,  swilled,  swin- 
nied,  swine-drunk,  swiped  (or 
swipey),  swivelly,  swizzled, 
taking  it  easy,  tangle-footed,  tap- 
shackled,  taverned  (also  hit 
on  the  head  by  a  tavern 
bitch,  or  to  have  swallowed  a 
tavern  token),  teeth  under, 
thirsty,  tight,  tipsy,  top-heavy, 
topsy-boosy,  tosticated,  under  the 
influence,  up  a  tree,  up  in 
one's  hat,  waving  a  flag  of 
defiance,  wet,  wet-handed, 
what-nosed,  whipcat  (FLORIO), 
whittled,  winey,  yappish  (yaupy 
or  yappy).  Also,  TO  HAVE  a 
guest  in  the  attic,  the  back  teeth 
well  afloat,  a  piece  of  bread  and 
cheese  in  the  head,  drunk  more 
than  one  has  bled,  the  sun  in 
one's  eyes,  a  touch  of  boskiness, 
a  cup  too  much,  a  brick  in  the 
hat,  a  drop  in  the  eye, 
got  the  flavour,  a  full  cargo 
aboard,  a  jag  on,  a  cut 
leg,  the  malt  above  the  wheat, 
one's  nuff,  one's  soul  in  soak, 
yellow  fever.  Also,  TO  HAVE 
BEEN  barring  too  much,  bitten  by 
a  barn  mouse,  driving  the 
brewer's  horse,  biting  one's  name 
in,  dipping  rather  deep,  making 
M's  and  T's,  paid,  painting  the 
town  red,  shaking  a  cloth  in  the 
wind.  Also,  to  wear  a  barley 
cap,  to  cop  the  brewer,  to  let 
the  finger  ride  the  thumb, 
to  lap  the  gutter,  to  need  a 
reef  taken  in,  to  see  the  devil,  to 
take  a  shard  (or  shourd),  to  shoe 
the  goose,  to  see  one  apiece. 

FRENCH  SYNONYMS.  — S  allu- 
mer ;  s1  attendrir  ;  attraper  un 
allumette  rond,  un  coup  de  sir  op, 
or  une  maculature ;  AVOIR  son 
affaire,  son  allumette  (son  allu- 


mette  ronde,  de  campagne,  or  de 
marc  hand  de  viri),  une  barbe,  son 
caillon,  un  coitp  de  bleu  (de  bou- 
teille,  chasselas,  fdrdt  feu,  feu  de 
socie'te',  picton,  sirop,  or  soleil}, 
son  casque,  sa  chique,  sa  cocarde, 
son  compte,  sa  cuite,  une  culotte, 
de  gaz,  un  grain  (or  petit  grain}, 
son  jeune  hommc,  le  mal  Saint- 
Martin,  le  nez  sale  (or  nez-de- 
chien},  le  panache,  son  paquet,  sa 
pente,  sa  pistache,  son  plein,  son 
plumet,  sa  pointe,  son  pompon, 
son  poteau  (or  poteau  ttltgra- 
phique),  du  roulis,  un  sabre,  lesac 
plein,  or  son  toquel ;  avoir  fume" 
un  pipe  neuve  ;  EN  AVOIR  jusgu'd 
la  troisieme  capucin,  une  char- 
rette,  une  vraie  muffle,  plein  son 
sac,  or  dans  le  toquet ;  battre  la 
muraille ;  se  cardinaliser ; 
charmer  les  puces ;  se  cingler  le 
blair ;  se  coagtiler  ;  se  cocarder  ; 
se  coller  un  coup  de  jus,  or  une 
biture  ;  se  culotter  de  la  tSte  aux 
pieds ;  {eraser  un  grain;  s'em- 
brouillarder  ;  s'trnfrher  ;  s'frnfrtf- 
lonner ;  s'entuminer  ;  fempaffer  ; 
fempoivrer ;  ETRE  absinthe1, 
allume",  asphyxi^  bamboche,  bien 
(or  bien  pensd},  un  brin  en  riole, 
dans  les  brindezingues,  dans  le 
brouillard,  dans  les  broussilles, 
bu,  casquette,  charge",  en  chtrance, 
tingle",  complet,  dessous,  en  drive, 
e'me'che',  emu,  dans  un  £tat  voisin, 
fadt  (or  bienfade"},fier,gai,  gave", 
gris  dofficier,  humecte",  lance",  en 
liche,  louave,  machab^  monte", 
mouille",  paf  (or  paf  jusgu'd  la 
troisieme),  dans  (or  de}  la  paroisse 
de  Saint-Jean  le  Rond,  parti  (or 
parti  pour  lagloire},  en  patrouille, 
pavois,  pion,  plein  (or  plein 
comme  un  auf,  un  sac},  plombt 
pochard,  poche,  poivre,  poiisst 
raide  (or  taide  comme  la  justice}, 
riche,  rond  (or  ronde  comme  une 
balle,  unebourrique,  unebourrique 
a  Robespierre^  or  une  boule},  saoul 


Screwed. 


Scrope. 


comme  tin  dne  (un  hanneton,  une 
grivc,  un  PolonatS)  or  trente 
milks  hommes},  slasse  (or  sfaze), 
teinte",  dans  la  terrine,  en  train, 
dans  les  vignes  (or  la  vigne}  du 
Seigneur ;  and  vent  dessus-dessous 
(or  dedans) ;  faire  cracker  ses 
soupapes  ;  se  farder ;  ftter  la 
Saint- Lundi ;  se  flanquer  un 
coup  d'arrosoir  (une  cuite,  une 
Culotte,  or  une  fameuse  pltte) ; 
se  f oncer ;  se  grinier  ;  segrisotter  ; 
mettre  son  nez  dans  le  bleu ;  se 
mettre  en  dedans ;  se  mouiller ; 
se  paffer  ;  se  payer ;  sefincer(<yc 
se  pincer  un  coup  de  strop  or  le 
tasseau) ;  se  piquer  le  nez  (le 
tasseau,  or  le  tube} ;  se  poc -harder  ; 
se  poisser ;  se  poivr otter  ;  se 
pommader  ;  prendre  son  allumette 
de  campagne  (or  une  barbe) ;  rant- 
ponner ;  se  salir  le  nez  ;  schni- 
quer  ;  se  schlosser ;  se  sculpter 
une  guende  de  bois ;  slasser  ;  se 
tinter  ;  ne  pas  trouver  son  niveau  ; 
voir  en  dedans. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ing.  Leg.,  '  Witches' 
Frolic.  Like  a  four-bottle  man  in  a 
company  SCREW'D,  Not  firm  on  his  legs, 
but  by  no  means  subdued. 

1841.  Punch,  i.  278.  We  had  a  great 
night  in  London  before  I  started,  only  I 
got  rascally  SCREWED  :  not  exactly  sewed 
up,  you  know,  but  hit  under  the  wing,  so 
that  I  could  not  well  fly. 

1843.  DICKENS,  Martin  Ckuzzlewit, 
xxv.  She  was  only  a  little  SCREWED. 

1850.  SMEDLEY,  Frank  Fairlegh, 
133.  If  any  of  our  party  were  in  the  con- 
dition expressed  by  the  mysterious  word 
SCREWED,  it  certainly  was  Lawless  himself. 

185  .  THACKERAY,  Newcomes,  xlvii. 
Blest  if  I  didn't  nearly  drive  her  into  a 
wegetable  cart.  I  was  so  uncommon 

SCRUEY ! 

1871.  All  Year  Round,  18  Feb.,  288. 
Awfully  SCREWED.  Been  keeping  it  up 
with  a  fast  lot  at  Gypsum. 

1895.  Reynolds,  18  Aug.,  4,  7.  A 
witness  suggested  that  the  prisoners  were 
too  drunk  to  know  what  they  were  doing. 


Mr.  Gray :  No.  We  admit  being  a  little 
bit  SCREWED,  but  we  were  not  so  bad  as  all 
that. 

SCRIBBLER'S- LUCK,  subs.  phr. 
(common). — See  quot. 

1808.  Pelican,  3  Dec.,  n,  2.  His 
purse  is  pretty  full  ;  mine,  worse  luck,  is 
almost  empty.  SCRIBBLER'S  LUCK,  an 
empty  purse  and  a  full  hand. 

SCRIBE.    See  ONE-EYED  SCRIBE. 

SCRIMSHANKER,  subs,  (military).— 
A  loafer :  cf.  BLOODSUCKER  ; 
whence  SCRIMSHANK  =  to  shirk 
duty. 

SCRIMSHAW  (or  SCRIMSHANDER), 

subs,  (nautical).—  See quots.    Also 
SCRIMSHON  and  SCRIMSHORN. 

18  [?].  Fisheries  of  U.S.,  v.  ii.  231-2. 
SCRIMSHAWING  .  .  .  is  the  art,  if  art  it  be, 
of  manufacturing  useful  and  ornamental 
articles  at  sea.  .  .  .  We  find  handsome 
writing  desks,  toilet  boxes,  and  work-boxes 
made  of  foreign  woods,  inlaid  with  hun- 
dreds of  other  pieces  of  precious  woods  of 
various  shapes  and  shades. 

1883.  C.  RUSSELL,  Sailors'  Lan- 
guagc,  s.v.  SCRIMSHANDY.  An  Ameri- 
canism signifying  the  objects  in  ivory  or 
bone  carved  by  whalemen  during  their  long 
voyages. 


SCRIP,  subs,  (old).—  See  quot.  and 
BLOT  THE  SCRIP  (GROSE). 

£.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SCRIP,  c.  a  shred  or  scrap  of  paper.  '  As 
the  Cully  did  freely  blot  the  SCRIP,  and 
sipt  me  40  Hogs,'  c.  one  enter'd  into  Bond 
with  me  for  40  Shillings. 

SCROBY.        TO    BE     TIPPED     THE 

SCROBY  (or  CLAWS)  FOR  BREAK- 
FAST, verb  phr.  (old).— '  To  be 
whipped  before  the  justices' 
(GROSE). 

SCROOF    (or    SCROOFER),     subs. 
(American). — A  parasite  :  zsverb 

—  TO  SPONGE  (y.V.~). 

SCROPE,  suds,  (old).— A  farthing: 
see  RHINO  (HALL,  GROSE). 


Scrouger. 


132 


Scrub. 


SCROUGER,  subs.  (American). — 
Anything  exceptional  in  size, 
quality,  capacity,  &c. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life,  106. 
The  gals  among  em  warn't  any  on  your 
pigeon  creators  ...  but  real  SCROUGERS— 
any  on  'em  over  fourteen  could  lick  a  bar 
easy. 

c.  1852.     Traits  of  A  mer.  Humour,  265. 
A  drum,  and  a  regular  SCROUGER  at  that. 

SCROUPERIZE,  verb,  (venery). — To 
copulate :  see  GREENS  and  RIDE 
(RABELAIS). 

SCROYLE,  subs.  (old). — A  diseased 
wretch:  Fr.  ^crouelles—  King's- 
evil. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  King  John,  H.  2. 
By  heaven,  these  SCKOYLES  of  Angiers 
flout  you,  kings. 

1596.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man,  i.  i.  To 
be  a  consort  for  every  humdrum ;  hang  'em, 
SCROVLES  !  there  is  nothing  in  them  in  the 
world.  Ibid.  (1601),  Poetaster,  iv.  3.  A 
better,  prophane  rascal !  I  cry  thee  mercy, 
my  good  SCROILE,  wast  thou? 

SCRUB,  subs,  (old  colloquial). — 
Any  mean,  or  ill-conditioned  per- 
son, or  thing ;  as  adj.  =  paltry, 
mean :  also  SCRUBBED,  and 
SCRUBBY  ;  SCRUB-RACE  =  a  con- 
test between  contemptible  ani- 
mals ;  after  FARQUHAR  and  The 
Beaux'  Stratagem  (1707).  — 
B.  E.,  GROSE. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  Mer.  of  Venice, 
v.  i,  162.  A  little  SCRUBBED  boy  No  higher 
than  myself. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  of  Mel.  (1836) 
I.  ii.  in.  xv.  201.  Or  if  they  keep  their 
wits,  yet  they  are  esteemed  SCRUBS  and 
fools,  by  reason  of  their  carriage. 

1634.  WITHAL,  Diet.  [NARES].  Pro- 
mus  magis  quam  condus :  he  is  none  of 
these  miserable  SCRUBS,  but  a  liberall  gen- 
tleman. 

£.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SCRUB,  a  Ragamuffin. 

1706.  WARD,  HudibrasRedivivus,  I. 
vi.  6.  Each  member  of  the  holy  club, 
From  lofty  saint,  to  lowly  SCRUB.  Ibid. 
i.  x.  10.  Mounted  on  SCRUBS  that  us'd  to 
Scour,  Upon  a  Trot,  eight  Miles  an  Hour. 


1730.  SWIFT,      Traulus,     i.     The 
SCRUBBIEST  cur  in  all  the  pack  Can  set  the 
mastiff  on  your  back.  Ibid.,  Stella}  xxviii 
He  finds  some  sort  of  SCRUB  acquaintance. 

1731.  FIELDING,  Letter  Writers,  ii. 
3.     i.    Wh.    You   stoop   to   us,    SCRUB  ! 
2.  Wh,  You  a  lord  1  You  are  some  attor- 
ney's   clerk,    or    haberdasher's    'prentice. 
Ibid.  (1749),  Tom  Jones,  vm.  iii.    He  is 
an  errant  SCRUB,  I  assure  you. 

i^x.  SMOLLETT,  Peregrine  Pickle, 
Ixxxvii.  You  are  worse  than  a  dog,  you 
old  flinty-faced,  flea-bitten  SCRUB. 

1766.  GOLDSMITH,  Vicar  of  Wake~ 
field,  x.  We  should  go  there  in  as  proper 
a  manner  as  possible  ;  not  altogether  like 
the  SCRUBS  about  us. 

1814.  AUSTEN,  Mansfield  Park,  xxv. 
I  could  not  expect  to  be  welcome  in  such  a 
smart  place  as  that— poor  SCRUBBY  mid- 
shipman as  I  am. 

1843.  DICKENS,  Martin  Chuzzlewit, 
xxxv.  No  SCRUBS  would  do  for  no  such  a 
purpose.  Nothing  less  would  satisfy  our 
Directors  than  our  member  in  the  House 
of  Commons. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Book  or  Snobs, 
xviii.  A  scRUBBY-looking,  yellow-faced 
foreigner. 

1852.  L' Allegro:  As  Good  as  a 
Comedy,  109.  There  was  to  be  a  SCRUB 
race  for  sweepstakes,  in  which  more  than 
twenty  horses  had  been  already  entered. 

1 86 1.  BRADDON,  Trail  of  the  Ser- 
pent, i.  iv.  The  dumb  man  was  a  mere 
SCRUB,  one  of  the  very  lowest  of  the  police- 
force.  Ibid.  (1868),  Dead  Sea  Fruit,  xxiii. 
I  told  you  I  knew  a  handy  SCRUB  of  a  man, 
good  at  picking  up  any  out-of-the-way  book 
I  may  happen  to  want. 

1883.  ROOSEVELT  [Century,  xxxvi. 
200].  We  got  together  a  SCRUB  wagon 
team  of  four  as  unkempt,  dejected,  and 
vicious-looking  broncos  as  ever  stuck  fast 
in  a  quicksand. 

2.  (American  Univ.). — A  ser- 
vant. 

Verb.  (Christ's  Hospital).—!. 
To  write  fast:  e.g.,  '  SCRUB  it 
down.'  Also  as  subs.  =  hand- 
writing. [Lat.  scriberc.]  See 
STRIVE. 

2.  (colloquial). — To  drudge. 


Scrubbado. 


'33 


Scuddick. 


SCRUBBADO,  subs.  (old). — The  itch 
(B.  E.,  GROSE). 

SCRUBBER,  subs.  (Australian). — See 
quot. 

1859.  KINGSLEY,  Geojffry  Hamlyn, 
xxix.  The  Captain  was  getting  in  the 
SCRUBBERS,  cattle  which  had  been  left, 
under  the  not  very  careful  rule  of  the 
Donovans,  to  run  wild  in  the  mountains. 

SCRUBBING,  subs.  (Winchester: 
obsolete).  —  A  flogging  of  four 
cuts :  see  Public  School  Word 
Book. 

£.1840.  MANSFIELD,  School  Life,  109. 
The  ordinary  punishment  was  called 
SCRUBBING  ...  for  a  more  serious  breach 
of  duty  a  flogging  of  six  cuts  was  ad- 
ministered. 

1864.  Blaekwootfs  Mag.,  xcv.  79. 
The  place  of  execution  where  delinquents 
are  bibled  ...  six  cuts  .  .  .  four  being 
the  sum  of  a  ...  SCRUBBING. 

SCRUBBING-BRUSH,  subs.  phr. 
(venery). — The  pubic  hair  :  see 
FLEECE. 

SCRUDGE,  subs,  (provincial). — A 
harlot :  see  TART. 

SCRUFF,  subs,  (colonial). — See  quot. 

1870.  Montreal  News  {Figaro,  25 
Nov..  'Codland  Habits.'  The  best  society 
is  called  'merchantable,'  that  being  the 
term  for  fish  of  the  best  quality  ;  while  the 
lowest  stratum  is  '  SCRUFF  '  or  '  dun.' 

Verb.    (old). — To    hang:    see 
LADDER. 

SCRUMPTIOUS,  adj.  and  adv.  (col- 
loquial) — First-class ;  nice ;  fas- 
tidious. 

1835.  HALIBURTON,  Clockmaker, 
i  S.,  xxiii.  A  little  tidy,  SCRUMPTIOUS- 
looking  sleigh,  a  real  clipper  of  a  horse. 

1841.  LEMAN  REDE,  Sixteen  String 
Jack,  hi.  5.  Will  you  dance,  Christopher, 
my  SCRUMTIOUS  pet? 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  304.  I  don't 
want  to  be  SCRUMPTIOUS,  judge  ;  but  I  do 
want  to  be  a  man. 


1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Armsl  xx.  We  had  a  SCRUMPTIOUS  feed 
that  night. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  33  Jan. 
SCRUMPTIOUS  girls  who  danced  at  the 
Alcazar. 

1900.  KIPLING,  Stalky  &>  Co.,  7. 
'  Isn't  it  SCRUMPTIOUS?  Good  old  sea  ! ' 

SCRUNCH,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  A 
hard  bite  ;  a  crushing  blow  ;  and 
(figuratively)  a  complete  effect  of 
tyranny ;  as  verb.  =  to  crush, 
to  grind  down,  to  squeeze ; 

SCRUNCHER  =  a  glutton. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  n. 
566.  I  ...  SCRUNTCHED  myself  into  a 
doorway,  and  the  policeman  passed  four  or 
five  times  without  seeing  on  me. 

1863.  DICKENS,  Mutual  Friend,  in. 
v.  It's  the  same  .  .  .  with  the  footmen. 
I  have  found  out  that  you  must  either 
SCRUNCH  them,  or  let  them  SCRUNCH  you. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  480.  We 
.  .  .  shouted  '  Hurrah  for  old  Heber  1 '  as 
his  load  of  magnificent  oak  .  .  .  came 
SCRUNCHING  into  the  yard. 

1888.  Fort.  Rev.,  N.S.,  xliii.  627. 
At  each  step  there  is  a  SCRUNCH  of  human 
bones. 

SCUD,  subs,  (common). — (i)  A  fast 
runner;  and  (2)  a  HOT  SPIN 
(y.v.). 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tout  Brown's  School- 
days, i.  v.  I  say  ...  you  ain't  a  bad 
SCUD. 

2.     (American).  —  In     //.  = 
money :  see  RHINO. 

Verb,  (old).— 'To  Sail,  Ride, 
or  Run  very  fast '  (B.  E. ,  c.  1696). 

SCUDDICK,  subs.  (old). — The 
smallest  item  of  value  (HALLI- 
WELL)  :  see  quot.  1823. 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  SCUD- 
DICK— is  used  negatively;  'not  a  SCUD- 
DICK  '—not  any  brads,  not  a  win,  empty 
dies.  '  Every  SCUDDICK  gone ' ;  'she  gets 
not  a  SCUDDICK  from  me-'  does  not  amend 
the  matter  from  repetition. 


Scuff. 


134 


Scumber. 


1843.  MONCRIEFF,  Scamps  of  Lon- 
don, i.  i.  Hasn't  a  mag  left  —  not  a  SCUD- 
DICK—  is  obliged  to  live  on  his  wits. 

SCUFF,  subs,  (thieves').  —  A  crowd. 

1879.  Mactn.  Mag:,  xl.  501.  This 
got  a  SCUFF  round  us. 

1888.  SIMS,  Plank  -Bed  Ballad 
[Referee,  12  Feb.].  A  SCUFF  came  about 
me  and  hollared. 

SCUFFLE  -  HUNTER,     subs.     phr. 
(obsolete).  —  See  quot. 

1797.  Police  of  the  Met.,  54.  Those 
who  are  distinguished  by  the  nickname  of 
SCUFFLE-HUNTERS  prowl  about  the  wharfs, 
quays  and  warehouses  under  pretence  of 
asking  employment  as  porters  and 
labourers,  but  their  chief  object  is  to 
pillage  and  plunder  whatever  comes  in 
their  way. 

SCUFTER,   subs,   (provincial).  —  See 
quot. 

1886.  Graphic,  30  Jan.,  130,  i.  In 
the  North  a  constable  is  or  was  known  as 
a  SCUFTER  and  a  "  bulky." 

SCUG,  subs.  (Eton  and  Harrow).  — 
A    SNEAK    (q.v.);    a   play-CAD 


1880.  C.  T.  BUCKLAND,  Eton  Fifty 
Years  Ago.  Bathing  was  always  in  great 
favour  with  the  Eton  boys.  A  boy  who 
did  not  bathe  was  called  a  SCUG. 

1889.  DRAGE,  Cyril,  vii.  Such  a 
little  SKUG,  to  use  a  word  in  use  at  my 
tutor's. 

SCULDUDDERY  (or  SKULDUGGERY), 

subs.   (old).  —  Bawdry  ;  also  as 
adj. 

1717.  CENTLIVRE,  The  Wonder,  iii. 
3.  %  Gitby.  To  run  three  hundred  mile  to 
this  wicked  town,  and,  before  I  can  well 
fill  my  weam,  to  be  sent  a  whorehunting 
after  this  black  she-devil  !  .  .  .  there's  na 
sic  honest  people  here,  or  there  wud  na  be 
sa  mickle  SCULDUDKIE. 

1818.  SCOTT,  Midlothian,  xvi.  Can 
find  out  naething  but  a  wee  bit  SCUL- 
DUDDERY. 

^1890.  Scots  Observer,  23  Aug.,  346. 
Living  in  a  state  of  liquor  and  SKUL- 

DUDDERV. 


SCULL,  subs.  (University). — i.  The 
head  (or  master)  of  a  College 
(GROSE).  Hence  SCULL- RACE  = 
an  examination. 

2.  (colloquial).  —  In    //.  =  a 
waterman  using  a  pair  of  sculls  or 
short  OARS  (y.v.).—  GROSE. 

c.i  704.  [ASHTON,  Sac.  Life  in  Reign 
ofQ.  Anne,  n.  144.]  A  cry  of  next  '  Oars ' 
or  '  SCULLS  ' ! 

3.  (old). — '  A  one-horse  chaise 
or  buggy'  (GROSE). 

SCULLERY-SCIENCE,  subs.  phr. 
(obsolete).  — Phrenology. 

1836.  CHORLEY,  Mem.  Mrs.  Hetnans, 
\.  255.  I  did  very  much  aggravate  the 
phrenologist  lately  by  laughing  at  the 
whole  SCULLERY  SCIENCE  and  its  votaries. 

SCULL-THATCHER, subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon),— i.  A  wig-maker  (GROSE) ; 
and  (2)  a  hatter :  see  NOB- 

THATCHER. 

SCULPIN,  subs.  (American). —'A 
mean  or  mischief-making  fellow 
[Local  slang,  New  Eng.]'  (Cen- 
tury). 

SCUM,  sufis.  (old  :  now  recognised). 
— '  The  Riff- Raff,  or  Tagrag  and 
Long-tail'  (B.  E.,  GROSE). 

Adv.    (old).— Enough     (Street 
Robberies  Considered,  20). 

SCUMBER  (or  SCUMMER),  subs. 
(old). — Excrement  :  as  verb.  —  to 
defecate  (CoTGRAVE,  1611,  s.v. 
Chier). 

1598.  FLORID,  Worlds  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Chinchimurra  ...  A  SKAMMERING 
of  a  dog. 

[?].  Ulysses  upon  Ajax,  B.6.  Th« 
picture  of  a  fellow  in  a  square  cap 
SCUMMERING  at  a  privy. 

1630.  MASSINGER,  Picture,  v.  i. 
Just  such  a  one  as  you  use  to  a  brace  of 
greyhounds,  When  they  are  led  out  of  their 
kennels  to  SCUMBER. 


Scumble. 


135 


Scuttle. 


1658.  Musar.  Del. ,  f  On  Epsom 
Wells.'  Old  Ops  ...  Is  yellow,  not  with 
summer,  But  safronised  with  mortal 

SCUMMER. 

SCUMBLE,  verb,  (artists'). — To 
glaze  a  picture. 

SCURF,  subs,  (common). — 5V^quot. 
1851. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab,,  i. 
20.  They  .  .  .  burst  out  into  one  ex- 
pression of  disgust.  "There's  a  SCURF!" 
said  one  ;  "  He's  a  regular  scab,"  cried 
another.  Ibid.,  ii.  262.  The  Saxon 
Sceorfa,  which  is  the  original  of  the  Eng- 
lish SCURF,  means  a  scab,  and  scab  is  the 
term  given  to  the  "cheap  men"  in  the 
shoemaking  trade.  Scab  is  the  root  of  our 
word  Shabby,  hence  SCURF  and  Scab, 
deprived  of  their  offensive  associations, 
both  mean  shabby  fellows. 

1870.  LONGFELLOW,  Dante's  Inferno, 
xv.  in.  That  wretched  crowd  ...  If 
thou  had  hadst  an  hankering  for  such 

SCURF. 

Verb,    (thieves'). — To    arrest; 
to  lay  hold  of  (GROSE,  VAUX). 

SCURRICK,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— A 
halfpenny  (GROSE)  :  see  RHINO. 

SCURRY,  subs,  (racing). — See  quot.  : 

cf.  SCAB-RACE. 

1889.  KRIK,  Guide  to  the  Turf.  In 
sporting  [SCURRY]  a  short  race  run  for 
amusement  by  inferior  horses  or  non- 
winners. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xv.  It 
would  have  been  all  right  if  I  hadn't  been 
welshed  over  the  last  SCURRY. 

SCUT,  subs,  (venery).  —  I.  The 
female  pudendum :  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE ;  and  (2)  the  pubic 
hair :  see  FLEECE  (GROSE). 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Merry  Wives,  v. 
5,  20.  My  doe  with  the  black  SCUT. 

1664.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie  (ist 
ed.),  104.  And  likewise  there  was  finely 
put,  A  Cushion  underneath  her  SCUT. 

£.1705.  Broadside  Song,  '  Oyster  Nan ' 
{FARMER,  Merry  Songs  and  Ballads 
(1897),  i.  177].  Come  in,  says  he,  you  silly 
Slut,  I'll  lay  the  Itching  of  your  SCUT. 


1720.  DURFEY,  Pills,  vi.  198.  With 
her  breast  she  does  butt,  and  she  bubs  up 
her  SCUT  Wheu  the  bullets  fly  close  by  her 
ear. 

1730.  Broadside  Song,  'Gee  Ho, 
Dobbin,'  5.  I  rumpl'd  her  Feathers,  and 
tickl'd  her  SCUTT. 

SCUTE,  subs,  (old).— (i)  A  small 
coin  :  hence  a  low  standard. 

1596.  NASH,  Letter  [NARES].  Worse 
than  a  SCUTE  or  a  dandiprat. 

!$[?].  FORTESCUE,  Dijf.  Between 
Absolute  and  Limited  Monarchy  [NARES]. 
Sum  .  .  .  that  was  wonte  to  pay  ...  a 
SCUTE,  payyth  now  .  .  .  over  that  SCUTE, 
fyve  SKUTS. 

SCUTTLE,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  An 
affected  gait  (see  quot.  1704); 
(2)  a  hasty  move  ;  a  BOLT  (q.v.) : 
as  verb.  =  (i)  to  run  off  (B.  E. 
and  GROSE). 

c.i 704.  [AsHTON,  Social  Life,  <&*<:.,  i. 
92],  Shut  myself  in  my  Chamber,  prac- 
tised Lady  Betty  Modely's  SCUTTLE. 

£.1711.  Spectator\Century\.  She  went 
with  an  easy  SCUTTLE  out  of  the  shop. 

<a?.i797.  WALPOLE,  Letters,  u.  476.  I 
have  no  inclination  to  SCUTTLE  barefoot 
after  a  Duke  of  Wolfenbuttle's  army. 

1841.  THACKERAY,  Comic  Tales,  n. 
164.  But,  oh  horror  1  a  scream  was  heard 
from  Miss  Binse  who  was  seen  SCUTTLING 
at  double-quick  time  towards  the  school- 
house. 

1869.  BROWNING,  Ring  and  Book,  \. 
286.  No  ...  viper  of  the  brood  shall 

SCUTTLE  OFF. 

1872.  Brighton  Daily  News,  4  Sep. 
The  infant  SCUTTLED  into  existence  about 
midday. 

1875.  W.  H.  KINGSTON,  South  Sea 
Whaler,  xiv.  SCUTTLING  away  at  a  rapid 
rate. 

Verb.  (Christ's  Hospital,  Hert- 
ford).— 2.  To  cry  out,  under 
oppression,  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  the  authorities.  Hence 

SCUTTLE-CAT  =  one    who     SCUT- 
TLES (obsolete). 


Scuttling. 


136 


Sea. 


3.  (venery).  —  To     deflower. 
Hence,  TO  SCUTTLE  A  SHIP  =  to 
take  a  maidenhead. 

4.  (thieves').— To  stab. 

To  SCUTTLE  A  NOB,  verb.  phr. 
(pugilists'). — To  break  a  head. 

tf.iBxi.  MAKER,  Night  before  Larry 
was  Stretched.  I'll  SCUTTLE  YOUR  NOB 
with  my  fist. 

1818.  RANDALL,  On  R.'s fight  with 
Turner.  As  be  offered  to  SCUTTLE  A  NOB 
o'er  again. 

ON   THE  SCUTTLE,  phr.  (com- 

mon). — On  a  round  of  drinking 
or  whoring. 

SCUTTLING,  subs.  (Manchester).— 
See  quots. 

1690.  D.  Telegraph,  13 Dec.  'SCUTT- 
LING in  Lancashire.  SCUTTLING  was 
a  practice  very  prevalent  within  the  county 
of  Lancaster.  The  offence  was  committed 
by  a  body  of  young  persons,  male  and 
female,  belonging  to  one  part  of  the  city, 
who  had  a  real  or  fancied  grievance 
against  another  similar  body  of  persons 
from  an  adjacent  part.  The  opposing 
forces  were  armed  with  belts  with  large 
buckles  to  them,  knives,  pokers,  stones, 
and  the  like,  and  the  mobs  so  armed 
turned  out  at  times  for  a  regular  affray, 
and  inflicted  serious  injuries  upon  one 
another.  Not  only  did  these  roughs  enter 
into  conflict  with  others  of  a  similar  class, 
but  they  frequently  attacked  unoffending 
passers-by. 

18  [?].  Lancet^  3499,  643.  Manchester 
is  becoming  notorious  for  a  form  of  street 
ruffianism  known  locally  as  SCUTTLING.  It 
consists  of  gangs  of  youths  going  about 
certain  districts  ostensibly  to  fight  with 
similar  gangs  of  adjacent  districts. 

SCUTTLE-MOUTH,  subs.  phr.  (cos- 
ters').— See  quot. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lend.  Lab.,  i. 
77.  The  "big  trade"  was  unknown  until 
1848,  when  the  very  large  shelly  oysters, 
the  fish  inside  being  very  small,  were 
introduced  from  the  Sussex  coast.  The 
eostermongers  distinguished  them  by  the 
name  of  SCUTTLE-MOUTHS. 


SEA.  AT  SEA,  adv.  phr.  (col- 
loquial).— Puzzled;  WIDE  ($.v.) : 
ff.  HALF-SEAS-OVER. 

1864.  Comhill  Mag.,  Nov.,  577. 
1  What  is  he  ? '  I  asked,  still  more  AT  SEA. 

1889.  Polytechnic  Ma?.,  24  Oct.,  263. 
For  the  first  ten  minutes  the  B's  were  all 
AT  SEA  on  the  rough  and  peculiarly  shaped 
ground. 


PHRASES  AND  COMBINA- 
TIONS. —  SEA-CRAB  =  a  sailor 
(GROSE)  ;  SEA-DOG  =  (i)  a  priva- 
teer (temp.  Eliz. ),  and  (2)  a  sailor : 
spec,  an  old  SALT  (q.v.) ;  SEA- 
GALLOPER  = a  special  correspon- 
dent ;  SEA-GROCER  =  a  purser ; 
SEA  -  LAWYER  =  (i)  a  shark 
(GROSE),  and  (2)  a  captious  or 
scheming  fo'csle  hand :  whence 
SEA-LA WYERING= argument  with 
officers  ;  SEA-LEGS  =  ability  to 
walk  the  deck  of  a  rolling  ship 
without  staggering  ;  SEA-WAG  = 
an  ocean-going  vessel ;  SEA-RAT 
(old)  =  a  pirate  :  cf.  RIVER-RAT  ; 
SEA-ROVER  =  a  herring :  see  AT- 
LANTIC RANGER;  SON  OF  A 
SEA-COOK  —  a  nautical  term  of 
abuse  ;  SEA-CONNIE  (or  CUNNIE) 
=  (i)  the  helmsman  on  an  Indian 
trader,  and  (2)  =  a  Lascar  quarter- 
master (CLARK  RUSSELL)  ;  SEA- 
COAL  =  money. 

£.1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  ii. 
I  had  not  got  my  SEA  LEGS  on,  was  dread- 
fully sick  .  .  .  and  it  was  pitch  dark. 

1836.  SCOTT,  Cringle's  Lo?,  xvi. 
Ay,  you  supercilious  SON  OF  A  SEA-COOK, 
you  may  turn  up  your  nose  at  the  expres- 
sion. 

1864.  KINGSLEY,  Hillyars,  xxiv.  It 
made  her  stand  firmer  on  her  .  .  .  had  I 
been  speaking  of  an  English  duchess  I 
would  have  said  her  SEA  LEGS. 

1874.  GREEN,  Short  Hist.,  406.  The 
Channel  swarmed  with  SEA-DOGS  .  .  .  who 
accepted  letters  of  marque  from  the  Prince 
ofConde. 


Seal. 


137 


Secesh. 


1850.  Spectator,  3  May,  Rev.  of 
'  Slang  and  its  Analogues.'  .  .  .  The  ex- 
traordinary '  bouncer '  that  a  very  common 
request  at  Lockhart's  coffee-houses  in  Lon- 
don is  for  '  a  doorstep  and  a  SEA-ROVER.' 

1899.  WHITEIKG,  John  St.,  xi.  At 
the  words  '  doorsteps  and  SEA-ROVER,'  the 
man  at  the  bar  produces  a  slice  of  bread 
and  a  herring. 

1899.  HYNE,  Furth.  Adv.  Captain 
Cuttle,  v.  Robinson's  a  SEA-LAWYER,  is 
he  ?  Courts,  he  talks  about. 

1901.  Referee,  7  Ap.,  i,  2.  Great 
care  should  be  exercised  so  as  to  minimise 
chances  of  their  being  able  to  take  two 
chances  for  their  money,  one  in  the  game 
and  the  other  by  '  SEA-LA WYERING.' 

1901.  A  rmy  and  Navy  Gaz. ,  13  July, 
683,  2.  Whether  these  SEA-GALLOPERS— 
to  use  Lord  Spencer's  historical  designation 
—in  the  battleships  will  be  able  to  see 
much  of  the  fun  is,  we  should  imagine, 
doubtful. 

SEAL,  subs,  (clerical). — I.  See  quot. 

1853.  DEAN  CoNYBEAREj.Erfm. /?«/., 
Oct,  295,  note].  A  preacher  is  said  in  this 
phraseology  to  be  owned  when  he  makes 
many  converts,  and  his  converts  are  called 
bis  SEALS. 

2.  (American). — See  quot. 

1850-1.  STANSBURY,  Salt  Lake  Exp. , 
136.  In  Mormon  phraseology,  all  wives 
taken  after  the  first  are  called  spiritual 
wives,  and  are  said  to  be  SEALED  to  the 
husband  .  .  .  under  the  solemn  sanction  of 
the  church,  and  in  all  respects,  in  the  same 
relation  to  the  man  as  the  wife  that  was 
first  married. 

3.  (venery). --In//.  =the  testes : 
see  CODS. 

Verb,    (venery). — To    impreg- 
nate; TO  SEW  UP  (q.V.). 

SEALER,  subs,  (old).—'  One  that 
gives  Bonds  and  Judgments  for 
Goods  and  Money Y  (B.  E., 
GROSE)  :  see  SQUEEZE- WAX. 

SEAM.    See  WHITE-SEAM. 

SEAR,  subs,  (old).— The  female  pu- 
dendum :  see  MONOSYLLABLE,  &c. 
[Properly  the  touch-hole  of  a  pis- 
tol.] Hence  LIGHT  (or  TICKLE) 
OF  THE  SERE  =  wanton  ;  fond  of 
bawdy  laughter  (HALLIWELL). 


I  ?  J  Commune  Secretary  and 
Jalowsye  [HALLIWELL].  She  that  is  fayre, 
lusty,  and  yonge,  And  can  comon  in  termes 
wyth  fyled  tonge,  And  wyll  abyde  whys- 
perynge  in  the  care,  Thynke  ye  her  tayle 

IS  not  LYGHTE  OF  THE  SEARE. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hamlet,  u.  a, 
336.  The  clown  shall  make  those  laugh 
whose  lungs  are  TICKLE  OF  THE  SERE. 

1620.  HOWARD  Defensative  [DoucE, 
ii.  230].  Moods  and  humours  of  the  vulgar 
sort  .  .  .  loose  and  TICKLE  OF  THE  SEARE. 

SEASON,  verb,  (venery).  -r-See  quot. , 
GREENS  and  RIDE. 

1559.  ELIOTE,  Diet.  Adntissura, 
SEASONING  of  a  cow,  and  coverynge  of  a 
mare. 


SEAT.    See  BACK-SEAT. 

SEAT  -  OF  -  HONOUR  (SHAME  or 
VENGEANCE),  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— The  posteriors. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  225.  A 
question  .  .  .  the  most  honourable  part  of 
a  man  ?  One  .  .  .  made  answer  .  .  .  the 
.  .  .  part  we  sit  upon  ;  .  .  .  when  every 
one  cried  out  that  was  absurd,  he  backed  it 
with  this  reason,  that  he  was  commonly 
accounted  the  most  honourable  that  was 
first  seated,  and  that  this  honour  was  com- 
monly done  to  the  part  that  he  spoke  of. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  169.  My  SEAT  OF  VENGEANCE 
was  firked  most  unmercifully. 

r/.i796.  WOLCOT,  Pair  of  Lyric  Epis- 
ties  [Works  (Dublin,  1795))  »•  424]-  Be- 
hold him  seiz'd,  his  SEAT  OF  HONOUR  bare. 

1821.  COOMBE,  Syntax,  HI.  2.  While 
with  his  spade  the  conqueror  plied,  Stroke 
after  stroke,  the  SEAT  OF  SHAME,  Which 
blushing  Muses  never  name. 

1836.  MARRYAT,  Midshipman  Easy, 
xviii.  'The  bullet  having  passed  through 
his  SEAT  OF  HONOUR,  from  his  having  pre- 
sented his  broadside  as  a  target  to  the 
boatswain. 

1856.    Punch,  xxxi.  213,  2.    Now  I 

can  vouch  that,  from  the  earliest  ages  to 

.  .  those  of  the  present  head-master,  they 

have,  one  and  all,  appealed  to  the  v«ry 

SEAT  OF   HONOR. 

SECESH.    See  BLUE  BELLIES. 


Second. 


138 


See. 


SECOND.  See  Bow,  CHOP,  FIDDLE 
(adding  quot.  infra),  and  STRING. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  378.  I  am  quite  at  your  service  to 
play  SECOND  FIDDLE  in  all  your  laudable 
enterprises. 

SECOND  PEAL.    See  PEAL. 

SECOND-TIMER,  subs.  phr.  (prison). 
— A  prisoner  twice  convicted. 

SECRET,  phr.  (old). — LET  INTO 
THE  SECRET  :  *  When  one  is  drawn 
in  at  Horse-racing,  Cock-fighting, 
Bowling,  and  other  Sports  or 
Games,  and  Bit.'  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE.) 

IN  THE  GRAND  SECRET,/^. 
(colloquial). — Dead  (GROSE). 

SEDGLEY-CURSE,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— See  quots. 

1632.  MASSINGER,  City  Madam,  ii. 
2.     May    the    great     fiend,    booted    and 
spurred,  With  a  sithe  at  his  girdle,  as  the 
Scotchman  says,  Ride  headlong  down  her 
throat. 

1633.  FLETCHER,  Tamer  Tamed,  v. 
2.    A  SEDGLY  CURSE  light  on  him,  which 
is,   Pedro,    The   fiend  ride  through   him 
booted  and  spurred  With  a  sythe  at  his 
back. 

1636.  SUCKLING,  Goblins,  i.  i.  Now 
the  SEDGLY  CURSE  upon  thee,  And  the 
great  fiend  ride  through  thee  Booted  and 
spurr'd,  with  a  scythe  on  his  neck. 


d.i66o.  HOWELL  [RAY,  Proverbs,  Staf- 
fordshire. The  devil,  &c.  .  .  .  This  is 
SEDGELY  CURSE.  Mr.  Howel.} 

SEE,  stibs.  (common). — In//.  =the 
eyes  (GROSE).  Also  SEER  =  the 
eye. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  3  [Note]. 
To  close  up  their  eyes— alias,  to  sew  up 
their  SEES. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  Ixxxii. 
Strike  me  blind  if  my  SEES  don't  tout  your 
bingo  muns  in  spite  of  the  darkmans. 


2,  (American).  —  A  sight ;  a 
glance. 

Verb,  (colloquial). — I.  To  be- 
lieve ;  to  credit ;  to  consent :  e.g. , 
'  I  don't  SEE  that.' 

1882.  ANSTEY,  Vice-Versa,  iii.  If  I 
were  to  go  back  to  my  governor  now,  he 
wouldn't  SEE  it.  It  would  put  him  in  no 
end  of  a  bait. 

2.  (prostitutes' ).  — To  copulate : 

also    TO    SEE    STARS    LYING    ON 

ONE'S  BACK. 

PHRASES.  To  SEE  IT  OUT  = 
(i)  to  finish  a  matter,  (2)  to  keep 
up  a  carouse,  and  (3)  to  come  to 
an  understanding,  or  know  the 
reason  why ;  TO  SEE  ONE 
THROUGH  =  to  help  to  a  finish; 
TO  SEE  A  MAN  =  to  have 
a  drink;  TO  SEE  THE  DEVIL  = 
to  get  tipsy  :  see  SCREWED  ;  TO 
SEE  THE  BACK  OF=to  get  rid  of; 
TO  SEE  ONE  COMING  =  to  impose 
on  ;  TO  SEE  DOUBLE  =  (i)  to  be 
drunk  (see  SCREWED),  and  (2)  to 
squint ;  TO  SEE  ONE'S  AUNT 
=  to.  evacuate :  see  BURY  A 
QUAKER  ;  TO  SEE  AS  FAR  INTO 

A  MILLSTONE  (or  MILESTONE)  AS 
.  .  .=  to  be  as  able  or  cute  as .  .  .  ; 
TO  SEE  STARS  (SPOTS  or  CANDLES) 

=  to  be  dazed  :  spec,  from  a 
blow.  Also  see  BRICKWALL, 
ELEPHANT,  SHOW,  &c. 

1546.     HEYWOOD,  Proverbs.    She  had 

SEENE  FAR  IN  A  MILSTONE. 

1628.  EARLE,  Micro-cosmog.,  ii. 
His  eyes  like  a  drunkard's  SEE  all  DOUBLE. 

1692.  DRYDEN,  Juvenal,  vi.  When 
vapours  to  their  swimming  brains  advance, 
And  DOUBLE  tapers  on  their  tables  dance. 

1710.  CONGREVE,  Art  of  Love.  From 
all  intemperance  keep,  Nor  drink  till  you 
SEE  DOUBLE,  lisp,  or  sleep. 

1716.  ADDISON,  Freeholder,  22.  I 
had  a  mind  to  SEE  him  OUT,  and  therefore 
did  not  care  for  contradicting  him. 


Seed. 


139 


Seek. 


1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  (1812),  x. 
x.  Falling  into  a  passion  he  gave  me  half- 
a-dozen  boxes  on  the  face  .  .  .  that 
made  me  SEE  more  CANDLES  than  ever 
burnt  in  Solomon's  temple.  Ibid.  (1751), 
Peregrine  Pickle,  c.  Notwithstanding  the 
disgrace  and  discouragement  they  had  met 
with  in  their  endeavours  to  serve  our  ad- 
venturer, they  were  still  resolved  to  perse- 
vere in  their  good  offices,  or,  in  the  vulgar 
phrase,  to  SEE  him  OUT. 

1857.  DICKENS,  Xmas  Stories  (Perils 
of  Prisoners),  (Household  ed.),  46.  We 
SAW  OUT  all  the  drink  that  was  produced, 
like  good  men  and  true,  and  then  took  our 
leaves,  and  went  down  to  the  beach. 

SEED,  subs,  (venery). — The  semen  : 
see  SPENDINGS.  Hence  SEED- 
PLOT  (or  SEED-LAND)  =  the  female 
pudendum  :  see  MONOSYLLABLE  ; 
RUN  TO  SEED  =  pregnant,  LUMPY 
If.*) 

1555.  A  Pore  Helpe,  84.  They  saye 
ye  leade  euyll  lyues  With  other  mennes 
wyues  .  .  .  And  so  your  SEDE  is  sowne 
In  other  mennes  grounde. 

1656.  FLETCHER,  Martiall,  xi.  105. 
The  Phrygian  Boyes  in  secret  spent  their 
SEED  As  oftas  Hector's  wife  rid  on  his  steed. 

1719.  DURFEY,  Pills,  Hi.  107.  For 
there  where  other  gardeners  here  been 
sowing  their  SEED  .  .  . 

1865.  SWINBURNE,  Atalanta  in 
Calydon,  \oj.  Thou,  I  say  Althea,  since 
my  father's  ploughshare,  drawn  Through 
fatal  SEEDLAND  of  a  female  field,  Furrowed 
thy  body. 

RUN  TO  SEED,  adv.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— I.  Shabby ;  gone  off  the 
bloom;  SEEDY (q.v.). 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick  Papers 
(1857),' 20.  Large  boots  RUNNING  rapidly 

TO  SEED. 

1891.  Ally  Slower,  4  Ap.  He  had 
RUN  very  much  TO  SEED  :  there  was  no 
gloss  on  his  hat  or  boots,  but  any  amount 
of  it  on  the  sleeves  of  his  coat. 

SEEDY,  adj.  and  adv.  (colloquial). 
— Generic  for  depreciation  =  (i) 
weak  or  out-of-sorts  in  health, 

(2)  worn  or  out  at  elbows  in  dress, 

(3)  poor  in  pocket,  (4)  suspicious  or 
shady     in     character     (GROSE). 
Hence,  SEEDINESS. 


1743-  FIELDING,  Jonathan  Wild, 
i.  xii.  However  SEEDY  Mr.  Bagshot  may 
be  now  .  .  .  when  he  is  in  cash,  you  may 
depend  on  a  restoration. 

1768.  GOLDSMITH,  Good  Natured 
Man,  iii.  Little  Flanigan  here,  to  be 
sure,  has  ...  a  very  good  face  ;  but  then, 
he  is  a  little  SEEDY,  as  we  say  among  us 
that  practise  the  law. 

1789.  PARKER,  Bunter's  Christening 
\ Life's  Painter].  A  queer  procession  of 
SEEDY  brims  and  kids. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  27.  The 
Prince  of  Rag  Rhino,  who  stood  .  .  .  bail 
for  the  SEEDY  Right  Liners. 

1835.  FISHER,  Garland.  Oh,  let 
my  hat  be  e'er  sae  brown,  My  coat  be  e'er 
sae  SEEDY,  O  1 

1840.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clijjord,  vi. 
You  look  cursed  SEEDY  to  be  sure. 

1854.  MARTIN  and  AYTOUN,  Bon 
Gualtier  Ballads,  '  The  Knight,  &c.'  I 
feel  extremely  SEEDY,  Languishing  in  vile 
duresse. 

1857-9.  THACKERAY,  Virginians, 
ix.  A  SEEDY  raff  who  has  gone  twice  or 
thrice  into  the  Gazette. 

1864.  Tangled  Talk,  169.  One  of 
the  flattering  unctions  that  I  lay  to  my 
soul  when  it  strikes  me  that  I  am  becom- 
ing morally  SEEDY  is,  that  I  have  not  lost 
the  child's  capacity  for  wonder. 

1873.  BLACKIE,  Self-culture,  74. 
What  is  called  SEEDINESS,  after  a  de- 
bauch, is  a  plain  proof  that  nature  has 
been  outraged,  and  will  have  her  penalty. 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  6  Jan.,  6,  x. 
Gradually  his  habiliments  become  what 
is  vulgarly  but  expressively  termed  SEEDY. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xvi.  The 
'oss  is  very  bad  and  very  SEEDY. 

1899.  POT  and  SWEARS,  Scarlet 
City,  119.  I've  sent  a  wire  to  old  Dibbler 
the  stage  manager  to  say  I'm  SEEDY. 

SEEK.  To  SEEK  OTHERS  AND 
LOSE  ONESELF,  verb.  phr.  (old 
colloquial). — See  quot. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Lanternare  ...  to  play  the  foole, 
TO  SEEKE  OTHERS  AND  LOOSE  HIMSELFE. 


Seek-sorrow. 


140 


Semper. 


SEEK-SORROW  (or  -TROUBLE),  subs, 
phr.  (old). — A  whining  malcon- 
tent. 

1580.  SIDNEY,  Arcadia,  i.  Afield 
they  go,  where  many  lookers  be,  And  thou 
SEEK'SORROw  Claius  them  among, 

1902.  DAUDET,  6"«/Ao  [FARMER],  xi. 
She  was  a  SEKK-SORKOW,  a  sappy  mope> 
ster,  a  poor  gutless  doll. 

SEELCY'S  PIGS,  subs.  phr.  (nauti- 
cal).— Pig  iron  in  Government 
dockyards.  [Some  of  the  yards 
were  half  paved  with  pigs,  which 
waste  was  brought  to  public 
notice  by  Mr.  Seeley,  M.P.  for 
Lincoln.] 

SEE-SAW,  subs.  phr.  (gaming). — A 
double  RUFF  (y.v.)  j  a  SAW  (q.v.) : 
at  whist. 

SEGGON,  suds,  (old  colloquial).— A 
term  of  contempt :  spec,  a  poor 
labourer.  Also  SEG-HEAD  =  a 
blockhead  ;  SEG-KITE  =  an  over- 
grown and  greedy  person  [HALLI- 
WELL]. 

1557.  TUSSER,  Hvsbandrie,  174. 
Poore  SEGGONS  halfe  staured  worke  faintly 
and  dull. 


1605.  JONSON,  Volpone,  Argument. 
New  tricks  for  safety  are  sought ;  they 
thrive  :  when  bold,  each  tempts  the  other 
again,  and  all  are  SOLD. 

1850.  SMEDLEY,  Frank  Fairlegh, 
245.  He  called  it  .  .  .  '  no  end  of  a  some* 

thing    or   other' "SELL,"  suggested 

Freddy.  Ibid.  (1851),  Lewis  Arundel, 
xxiv.  You're  not  going  to  try  and  cut  out 
Bellefield  ...  are  you?  I  wish  you  would, 
it  would  SELL  Bell  so  beautifully. 

1856.  (Tales  from  Blackwood)  Dreef- 
daily  Burghs,  2.  I  had  been  idiot  enough 
to  make  my  debut  in  the  sporting  world 
.  .  .  and  as  a  matter  of  course,  was  re* 
morselessly  SOLD  by  my  advisers. 

1864.  Glasgow  Citizen,  10  Dec.  Peo- 
ple pretend  to  have  read  Spenser  and 
Chaucer,  and  it  is  rude  ...  to  SELL  the 
affable  pretender  by  getting  him  to  remem« 
ber  non-existent  passages  and  minor  poems. 

1874.  MRS.  H.  WOOD,  Johnny  Lud- 
low,  i  S.,  xxvi.,  465.  It's  an  awful  SELL 
...  no  hunting,  and  no  shooting,  and 
no  nothing. 

1883.  D.  News,  18  Ap.  5,  4.  Lord 
Randolph  Churchill  has  been  making  Mr. 
Gladstone  the  victim  of  what,  in  ... 
Addison's  time,  would  have  been  called  a 
BITE,  and  what  in  ...  our  own  time  is 
called  a  SELL. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Artns,  x.  Some  day  he'll  SELL  us  all,  I 
really  do  believe. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.  16  Jan.  But 
suppose  that  he  should  take  our  money 
and  SELL  us. 


,  subs,  (common). -A  successful 
hoax  ;  a  swindle  :  see  GAMMON. 
As  verb.  =  to  betray ;  to  impose 
on  ;  to  swindle  ;  see  BARGAIN. 
Whence  TO  SELL  A  PUP 

=  tO  fool  ;  TO  BE  SOLD  LIKE 
A  BULLOCK  IN  SMITHFIELD 

(GROSE)  =  '  to  fall  badly  by 
treachery '  ;  SOLD  AGAIN  !  = 
DONE!  (g.v.)t 

1597.  SHAKESPEARE,  Rich.  III.  v. 
3.  Jockey  of  Norfolk,  be  not  so  bold, 
For  Dickon  thy  master  is  BOUGHT  AND 
SOLD. 

1605.  DRAVTON,  Mortimer  iados.  Is 
this  the  kindness  that  thou  offerest  me? 
And  in  thy  country  am  I  BOUGHT  AND 
SOLD. 


SEMI-BEJAN.    See  BEJAN. 

SEMINARY,  subs,  (venery).— The 
pudendum :  see  MONOSYLLABLE. 
[With  a  pun  on  semen  =  the 
liquor  seminale.] 

SEMPER,  adj.  (Winchester).—  See 
quot. 

£.1840.  MANSFIELD,  School  Life  (1866), 
233.  A  very  common  prefix  ;  e.g.,  a  boy 
was  said  to  be  SEMPER  continent,  tardy, 
or  extrumps  if  he  was  often  at  Sick  House, 
or  late  for  Chapel,  or  habitually  went  up 
to  Books  without  having  looked  at  his 
lessons.  An  official  who  was  always  at 
the  College  meetings  went  by  the  name  of 
SEMPER  Testis. 


Send. 


141      Sentimental-journey. 


SEND.  To  SEND  UP,  verb.  phr. 
(American). — To  commit  to  pri- 
son ;  TO  FULLY  (y.v.). 

1852.  JUDSON,  Myst.  of  New  York, 
ill.  7.  They'd  blow  on  me  for  some  of  my 
work,  and  I'd  be  SENT  UP. 

1879.  Scribner's,  viii.  619.  Some  of 
them  seem  rather  proud  of  the  number  of 
times  they  have  been  SENT  UP. 

1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,  ao  Oct. 
They  SENT  me  UP  for  thirty  days. 

TO    SEND     DOWN   (or  AWAY), 

verb.  phr.  (University).  —  I.  To 
expel ;  and  (2)  TO  RUSTICATE 
(q.v.). 

1714.  Spectator,  596.  After  this  I 
was  deeply  in  love  with  a  milliner,  and  at 
last  with  my  bedmaker,  upon  which  I  was 
SENT  AWAY,  or,  in  university  phrase,  rusti- 
cated for  ever. 

1863.  KINGSLEY,  Austin  Elliot,  i. 
179.  How  dare  you  say  '  deuce '  in  my 
presence?  You  can  GO  DOWN,  my  Lord. 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer,  %g.  Next  day 
they  were  hauled  and  SENT  down. 

1891.  Felstedian,  Ap.  32.  They 
SENT  him  DOWN  for  two  terms  for  smash- 
ing a  shop  window. 

To  SEND  IN,  verb.  phr.  (old). 
— '  To  drive  or  break  in  :  Hand 
down  the  jemmy  and  SEND  IT 
IN ;  apply  the  crow  to  the  door 
and  drive  it  in '  (GROSE). 

See  COVENTRY  ;  DAYLIGHT  ; 
FLEA  IN  EAR  ;  GREEN  RIVER  ; 
OWLS  j  PACKING  ;  SALT  RIVER  ; 
UP. 

SEND-OFF,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
—A  start ;  a  God-speed.  SEND- 
OFF  NOTICE  =  an  obituary. 

1872.  CLEMENS,  Roughing  ft,  332. 
One  of  the  boys  has  passed  in  his  checks, 
and  we  want  to  give  him  a  good  SEND  OFF. 

1876.  BESANT  and  RICE,  Golden 
Butterfly  .  .  .  After  the  funeral  Huggins 
.  .  .  wrote  a  beautiful  SEND-OFF  NOTICE 
saying  what  a  loss  the  community  had 
suffered  in  Scrimmy's  untimely  end, 


1889.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  16  Nov.,  6,  i. 
It  looks  as  if  Adelina  Patti's  SEND-OFF 
concert  on  Monday  night  would  be  a  very 
brilliant  affair. 

1894.  MORRISON,  Mean  Streets,  132. 
In  the  beginning  [he]  might  even  have 
been  an  office  boy,  if  only  his  mother  had 
been  able  to  give  him  a  good  SEND  OFF  in 
the  matter  of  clothes. 

1897.  Referee,  14  Mar.  i,  i.  Thes« 
departers  were  to  be  patted  on  the  back, 
given  a  good  SEND-OFF,  and  helped  on  the 
road. 

SENDER,  subs,  (common). -A severe 
blow. 

SENSATION,  subs,  (common). — A 
small  quantity ;  as  much  as  can 
be  perceived  by  the  senses :  spec, 
a  half-quartern. 

SENSE,  verb,  (once  literary;  now 
American  colloquial. — To  feel  ; 
to  take  in ;  to  understand. 

1651.  CARTWRIGHT,  Poems  [NARKS], 
'Twas  writ,  not  to  be  understood,  but 
read,  He  that  expounds  it  must  come  from 
the  dead;  and  undertake  to  SENSE  it 
true,  For  he  can  tell  more  than  himself 
e'er  knew. 

1665.  GLANVILLE,  Scepsis,  Sciett- 
tifica,  xxii.  Is  he  sure  that  objects  are 
not  otherwise  SENSED  by  others,  than  they 
are  by  him  ? 

1885.  MERRIAM,  S.  Bowles,  i,  101. 
He  .  .  .  got  at  the  plans  of  the  leaders, 
the  temper  of  the  crowd,  SENSED  the 
whole  situation. 

SENTIMENTAL-CLUB  (THE),  subs. 
phr.  (literary). — The  Athenaeum. 

SENTIMENTAL  -  JOURNEY.        To 

ARRIVE  AT  THE  END  OF  THE 
SENTIMENTAL  JOURNEY,  phr. 

(common). — To  possess  a  woman 
[That,  so  it  is  said,  being  the 
finish  of  Sterne's  novel—'  I  put 
out  my  hand  and  caught  hold  of 
the  fille  •  de  •  chambre's  •. 

FINIS  ']. 


Sentinel. 


142 


Servant. 


SENTINEL,  subs.  (Irish). — A  wake 
candle  ;  a  GLIM  (q.v.).  Fr.  une 
flambarde. 

SENTRY.  ON  SENTRY,  adv.  phr. 
(common).  —  Drunk  :  see 
SCREWED. 

SENTRY-BOX.  CHELSEA  HOSPITAL 
TO  A  SENTRY-BOX,  phr.  (old). — 
A  fanciful  bet. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Mirror,  30  Jan.,  7, 
2.  Tom's  hit  of  the  opening  round,  and 
led  Aaron's  friends  to  call  out  in  their 
jubilation  :  "It's  all  your  own,  my  boy; 
CHELSEA  HOSPITAL  TO  A  SENTRY-BOX." 

SEP,  subs.  (American  cadet). — A 
cadet  joining  in  September. 

SEPARATE,  subs,  (prison). — See 
quot.  1877. 

1862.  Cornhitt  Mag.,  vi.  640. 
[Criminals]  count  by  many  thousands  .  .  . 
In  prison  and  out  of  it  ...  doing  their 
SEPARATES  at  Pentonville  and  among  the 
rocks  of  Gibraltar  wherever  they  are  they 
develop  and  increase  criminal  tendencies, 
and  spread  criminal  knowledge. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
v.  333.  A  new  large  prison  at  Dartmoor, 
in  which  convicts  could  be  confined  in 
cells  to  do  their  SEPARATES,  as  the  first 
eleven  or  twelve  months'  probationary  im- 
prisonment is  termed. 

SERAGLIETTO^ttfo.  (B.  E.,  ^.1696). 

— "  A  lowly,  sorry  Bawdy-house, 
a  meer  Dog-hole." 

SERAGLIO,  subs.  (B.  E.,  ^.1696,  and 
GROSE,  1785). —  "A  Bawdy- 
house  ;  also  the  Great  Turk's 
Palace." 

SERENE.    See  ALL  SERENE. 
SERGEANT.    See  COME. 

SERGEANT-MAJOR,  subs.  phr. 
(butchers'). — A  fat  loin  of  mutton. 

SERGEANT-MAJOR'S  BRANDY  AND 
SODA,  subs.  phr.  (military). — A 
gold-laced  stable  jacket. 


SERGEANT-MAJOR'S  WASH  CAT, 
subs.  phr.  (cavalry). — (i)  A  new 
kit ;  and  (2)  the  troop  store-man. 

SERPENT.  STUNG  BY  A  SERPENT, 
phr.  (old).— With  child  (RAY). 

TO  HOLD  A  SERPENT  BY  THE 

TAIL,  verb.  phr.  (old). — To  act 
foolishly. 

SERVANT,  subs,  (venery). — i.  A 
lover  en  parade ;  and  (2)  a 
STALLION  (q.V.)  '.  ff.  MISTRESS. 

Hence,  SERVICE  =  copulation ; 
TO  SERVE  =  subagitare. 

1369.  CHAUCER,  Troilus,  v.  1345.  If 
any  SERVAUNT  durst  or  oghte  aryght 
Upon  his  lady  pitously  compleyne.  Ibid. 
(£.1387),  Queen  Annelida,  293.  He  was 
SERVAUNT  unto  her  ladyship  ...  she  had 
him  at  her  oune  will. 

1595.  SHAKSPEARE,  Two  Gent. 
Verona,  ii.  4.  Too  low  a  mistress  for  so 
high  a  SERVANT.  Ibid.  (1605),  Lear,  iii. 
4,  87.  A  SERVING  man  .  .  .  that  .  .  . 
SERVED  the  lust  of  my  mistress's  heart,  and 
did  the  act  of  darkness  with  her. 

1609.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER, 
Scornful  Lady,  v.  i  Was  I  not  once 
your  mistress,  and  you  my  SERVANT  ? 

1609.  JONSON,  Epicoene,  ii.  2.  Where 
the  first  question  is — if  her  present  SER- 
VANT love  her?  next,  if  she  shall  have  a 
new  SERVANT?  and  how  many. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May-Day,  v.  2.  A 
woman  of  good  parts  .  .  .  helps  maids  to 
SERVICES,  restores  maidenheads,  brings 
women  to  bed,  and  men  to  their  bedsides. 
Ibid.  (1612),  Widow's  Tears,  ii.  4. 
Madam,  I  am  still  the  same  .  .  .  not 
pressing  to  your  bed  but  your  pleasure 
shall  be  first  known,  if  you  will  command 
me  any  SERVICE. 

£.1619.  FIELD  and  MASSINGER,  Fatal 
Dowry,  ii.  2.  The  only  distinction  be- 
twixt a  husband  and  a  SERVANT  is,  the 
first  will  lie  with  you  when  he  pleases,  the 
last  shall  lie  with  you  when  you  please. 

1635.  DAVENANT,  News  from  Ply- 
mouth, ii.  i.  He  loves  and  honours 
ladies ;  for  whose  SERVICE  He's  still  a 
ready  champion. 


Serve. 


'43 


Set-down. 


1685.  CROWNS,  Sir  Courtly  Nice, 
ii.  i.  You  may  proclaim?  at  Mercat-cross, 
how  great  an  Adorer  you  are  of  such  a 
Woman's  Charms  ?  how  much  you  desire 
to  be  admitted  into  her  SERVICE  ;  that  is, 
how  lusty  a  Centaur  you  are. 

i6g2.  DRVDEN,  Juvenal,  x.  In  form 
of  law,  a  common  hackney-jade  Sole  heir 
for  secret  SERVICES  is  made. 

1720.  DURFBY,  Pills,  v.  227.  To 
shew  he  could  a  Lady  SERVE,  As  well  as 
the  Hollander. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Homer  Burlesque^ 
392.  And  all  the  virgins  in  the  town 
Expect  they  shall  be  ravished  soon  .  .  . 
At  any  time  they'll  let  you  SERVE  'em. 


SERVE,  verb.  (old). — i.  To  rob  : 
e.g. ,  *  I  SERVED  him  for  his 
thimble '  =  '  I  robbed  him  of  his 
watch '  (GROSS  and  VAUX). 

2.  See  SERVANT  and  TIME. 

3.  (thieves'). — '  To  find  guilty, 
convict,  and  sentence'  (GROSE). 

4.  (old).  — To  maim ;  to  wound ; 
to  PUNISH  (q.v.) :    whence    TO 
SERVE  OUT  =  to  take  revenge  ;  TO 

SERVE    OUT    AND    OUT  as  tO    kill 

(GROSE  and  VAUX). 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib.  Whoso'er 
grew  unpolite  The  well-bred  champion 

SERVED  HIM  OUT. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  ii. 
Squinting  Nan,  full  of  jealousy  .  .  . ,  is 
getting  over  the  box  to  SARVE  HER  OUT  for 
her  duplicity. 

1837-40.  HALIBURTON,  Clockmaker 
(1848),  12.  Now  the  bees  know  how  to 
SARVE  OUT  such  chaps,  for  they  have  their 
drones,  too. 

1853.  BULWBR,  My  Novel,  xii.  25. 
The  Right  Honourable  Gentleman  had 
boasted  be  had  served  his  country  for 
twenty  years  .  .  .  He  should  have  said 

SERVED  HER  OUT. 

1868.  GREENWOOD,  Purgatory  oj 
Peter  the  Cruel,  \.  22.  I  am  doomed  to 
become  a  blackbeetle  because  of  the  many 
of  the  sort  I  have  hurt  and  smashed,  and 
more  especially  because  I  SERVED  this 
wretched  cockroach  OUT.  . 


To  SERVE  UP,  verb.  phr. 
(American).  To  ridicule. 

See  SLOPS. 

SESSIONS,  intj.  (common).  —An 
exclamation  of  surprise. 

SET,  subs,  (cricketers').— i.  A  de- 
termined stand ;  TO  GET  SET  =5 
to  '  collar'  the  bowling. 

2.  (common).  — A  grudge  ;  a 
sustained  attack :  in  argument 
or  conduct.  Also  DEAD-SET. 

PHRASES.  To  SET  THE 
HARE'S  HEAD  TO  THE  GOOSE 
G i BLETS  =  to  balance  matters;  to 
give  tit  for  tat ;  TO  SET  JEWELS 
(ttiquot.  1874);  ALL  SET  = 'Des- 
perate fellows,  ready  for  any  kind 
of  mischief  (BUNCOMBE). 

1607.  DEKKER  and  WEBSTER,  West- 
ward Hoe,  v.  3.  They  came  to  Brainford 
to  be  merry,  you  were  caught  in  Birdlime, 
and  therefore  SET  THE  HARE'S  HEAD 

AGAINST  THE  GOOSE  GIBLETS. 

1874.  HOTTEN,  Slang  Diet.,  s.v. 
SETTING  JEWELS.  The  taking  the  best  por- 
tions of  a  clever  book  not  much  known  to 
the  general  public,  and  incorporating  them 
quietly  in  a  new  work  by  a  thoroughly 
original  author.  The  credit  of  this  term 
belongs  to  Mr.  Charles  Reade,  who  ex- 
plained that  the  process  is  accountable  for 
the  presence  of  some  writing  by  one 
Jonathan  Swift,  in  a  story  published  at 
Christmas,  1872,  and  called  The  Wan- 
dering Heir. 

See  CAP  ;  DEAD-SET  ;  EARS  ; 
HARD-SET;  SHOULDER;  WHEEL. 

SET- BACK.    See  BACK-SET. 

SET- DOWN,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
— i.  A  snub;  an  unexpected  or 
overwhelming  reply.  Also  as 
verb.  —  to  take  to  task ;  to  rebuff; 
to  get  the  better  of. 
1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [On- 

PHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  166.    Among  new 

substantives    are  a  SET-DOWN,  blinkers, 

.  •  -I- 

K 


Set-off. 


144 


Setter. 


2.    (American   tramps').  —  See 
quot. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  105.  He  will 
almost  always  give  a  beggar  a  SET-DOWN 
(square  meal). 

SET-OFF,  subs,  phr.  (colloquial). — 
I.  A  contrast ;  an  alternative  ;  a 
QUID  PRO  QUO  (q.V.) 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  151.  As  a  SET-OFF  against  his 
hen-pecked  cowardice  ...  he  gave  me 
fifty  ducats.  Ibid.,  249.  You  will  not 
have  much  spare  room  ...  but  as  a  SET- 
OFF  I  promise  that  you  shall  be  superbly 
lodged  at  Lisbon. 

1844.  MILL,  Polit.  Econ.,  in.  xii.  6. 
If  the  cheque  is  paid  into  a  different  bank, 
it  will  not  be  presented  for  payment,  but 
liquidated  by  SET-OFF  against  other 
cheques. 

</.  1868.     BROUGHAM  [Century],   A  poor 
SET-OFF  against  constant  outrages. 

1879.  FROUDE,  Casar,  454.  He 
pleaded  his  desertion  of  Pompey  as  a  SET- 
OFF  against  his  faults. 

2.    (colloquial).  —  An    adorn- 
ment ;  an  ornament. 

1619.  FLETCHER,  Wildgoose  Chase, 
iii.  i.  This  coarse  creature  That  has  no 
more  SET-OFF  but  his  jugglings,  His 
travell'd  tricks. 

SET-OUT,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). — 
A  company,  clique,  display,  or 
turn-out — any  arrangement,  state 
of  things,  or  event. 

1816.  AUSTEN,  Emma,  xlii.  'There 
shall  be  cold  meat  in  the  house.'  '  As  you 
please  ;  only  don't  have  a  great  SET-OUT.' 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  n. 
46.  The  whole  SET-OUT  .  .  .  pony  in- 
cluded, Cost  ^50  when  new. 

1837.  DICKENS,  /Vc£Wc£  (1857),  n. 
"P.C.,"  said  the  stranger, — "queer  SET 
OUT — old  fellow's  likeness,  and  P.C. — 
What  does  P.C.  stand  for — Peculiar  coat, 
eh?"  Ibid.  (1854),  Hard  Times,  i.  8. 
She  must  just  hate  and  detest  the  whole 
SET-OUT  of  us. 

1856.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  Kate 
Coventry,  iv.  As  we  pulled  up  in  front  of 
the  Castle  Hotel  ..."  Ere's  a  spicy  SET- 
OUT,  Bill,"  said  one. 


SETTA,  adj.  (theatrical).— Seven. 
Also  SETTER. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lipfo,  xiv.  Then 
he  placed  a  large  piece  of  boiled  bacon 
and  a  dish  of  potatoes  and  a  dish  of  greens 
before  three  road  scavengers,  and  said, 
"  I'll  take  SETTA  soldi  from  you  gents." 

SETTER,  subs.  (old). — i.  .&<?  quots. ; 
also  (modern)  a  police  spy:  see 
NARK  (GROSE). 

1591.  GREENE,  Notable  Discovery 
[Works,  x.  15].  The  nature  of  the  SETTER, 
is  to  draw  any  person  familiarly  to  drinke 
with  him,  which  person  they  call  the  bonie. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  /  Hen.  IV.,  ii. 
2,  53.  'Tis  our  SETTER  :  I  know  his  voice. 

1607.  DEKKER,  Jests  to  make  you 
Merie  [Wks.  (GROSART),  11.  310].  Your 
theeues  trauelling  mort  is  partly  a  SETTER 
of  robberies,  partly  a  theefe  herselfe. 

1680.  COTTON,  Complete  Gamester, 
353.  Shoals  of  huffs,  hectors,  SETTERS, 
gilts,  pads,  biters,  &c.,  may  all  pass  under 
the  general  appellation  of  rooks. 

£.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SETTERS,  or  Setting-dogs,  they  that  draw 
in  Bubbles,  for  old  Gamesters  to  Rook  ; 
also  a  Seigeant's  Yeoman,  or  Bailiff's 
Follower,  or  Second,  and  an  kxcize-Officer 
to  prevent  the  Brewers  defrauding  the 
King. 

1714.  Memoirs  of  John  Hall  (4th 
ed.),  7.  There  are  also  SETTERS  of  both 
Sexes,  that  make  it  their  Business  to  go 
about  upon  Information,  to  pry  into  the 
Disposition  and  Avenues  of  Houses,  and 
bring  notice  of  the  Booty. 

<£i745.  SWIFT,  Last  Speech  Eben. 
Elliston.  We  had  SETTERS  watching  in 
corners,  and  by  dead  walls. 

1754.  B.  MARTIN,  En°.  Diet,  (and 
ed.),  s.v.  SETTER  ...  (3)  an  associate  of 
sharpers  to  get  them  bubbles. 

1866.  LEMON,  Leyton  Hall.  Old 
Crookfinger,  the  most  notorious  SETTER, 
barnacle,  and  foist  in  the  city. 

2.  (auctioneers'). — A  runner-up 
of  prices  ;  a  BONNET  (q.v.). 

CLOCK  -  SETTER,  subs.  phr. 
(nautical). — i.  One  who  tampers 
with  the  clock  to  shorten  his 
watch  ;  also  (2)  a  busy-body,  a 
SEA- LAWYER  (g.v.).— Century. 


Settle. 


Seven. 


SETTLE,  verb,  (common). — I.  To 
knock  down  ;  TO  DO  FOR  (g.v.). 
— GROSE.  To  SETTLE  ONE'S 
HASH  (see  HASH).  Hence  SETT- 
LER =  (i)  a  knock-down  blow; 
and  (2)  a  finishing  stroke. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  15.  He 
tipp'd  him  a  SETTLER. 

1827.  The  Fancy,  'King  Tims  the 
First.'  That  thrust  you  gave  me,  Tims, 
has  proved  a  nettler.  Your  stab  turns  out, 
what  I  have  been,  a  SETTLER  ! 

1836.  SCOTT,  Cruise  of  the  Midge, 
ip2.  Like  a  cannon-shot  right  against  me, 
giving  me  such  a  SETTLER. 

1845.  BUCKSTONE,  Green  Bushes,  ii. 
2.  Whoever  that  lady  aimed  at,  she  has 
certainly  brought  down.  .  .  .  She  settled 
the  SETTLER,  and  no  mistake. 

1857.  HOLMES,  Autocrat  of  the 
Breakfast  Table,  vi.  1  hat  slight  tension 
about  the  nostrils  which  the  consciousness 
of  carrying  a  SETTLER  in  the  form  of  a 
fact  or  a  revolver  gives  the  individual  thus 
armed. 

c.i866.  Music  Hall  Song,  'What  a 
fool.'  My  darling  wife  and  Ma-in-law 
Have  nearly  SETTLED  me. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
iii.  '"Esee  the  engine  a  coming,  .  .  .and 
chucked  hisself  bang  in  front  of  it,  and  it 
soon  SETTLED  'im." 

1888.  Sportsman,  22  Dec.  A  mis- 
take at  the  last  hurdles  proved  a  complete 
SETTLER,  and  he  succumbed  by  six 
lengths. 

2.  (thieves'). — To  give  (or  get) 
penal  servitude  for  life. 

SETTLEMENT-IN-TAIL,  subs.  phr. 
(venery). — An  act  of  generation  : 
see  GREENS  and  RIDE. 


SETTLER,  subs,  (common). — i.  A 
parting  drink  :  see  SCREWED. 

2.  See  SETTLE,  i. 

SET-TO,  subs.  phr.  (pugilists'). — i. 
A  bout  at  fisticuffs,  with,  or  with- 
out, the  gloves.  Whence  (2)  = 
determined  opposition  (GROSE). 
Also  as  verb. 


1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  'Account 
of  the  Grand  SET-TO  between  Long,  Sandy 
and  Georgy  the  Porpus '  [Title]. 

1825.  SCOTT,  St.  Ronan's  Well, 
xxx.  The  alacrity  of  gentlemen  of  the 
Fancy  hastening  to  a  SET-TO. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.,  I. 
317.  As  prime  a  SET-TO  And  regular  turn- 
up  as  ever  you  knew. 

1859.  WHITTY,  Political  Portraits, 
217.  The  bludgeon  blows  of  the  old  Par- 
liamentary SET-TOS  ended  in  hand-shaking. 

1864.       London     Society,      Dec.      I 

Generally  warms  up  in  the  SET-TO  with 
udy,  and  by  the  time  the  ghost  business 
comes  on,  I'm  all  of  a  glow. 

1879.  PAYN,  High  Spirits  (Finding 
His  Level).  He  had  had  it  laid  down 
with  turf  instead  of  a  carpet,  for  the 
greater  convenience  of  his  SET-TOS. 

1889.  Modern  Society,  19  Oct.,  1294, 
i.     They  settled   the  affair  with  a  good 
SET-TO  with  raw  potatoes. 

1892.  National  Observer,  27  Feb., 
378.  Give  me  a  snug  little  SET-TO  down 
in  Whitechapel. 

SET- UP,    subs,     (colloquial).  —  i. 
Port ;  bearing  ;  carriage. 

1890.  T.  C.  CRAWFORD,  Eng.  Life, 
147.    [English  soldiers]  have  a  SET-UP  not 
to  be  found  in  any  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
Continental  armies. 

2.     (American).  —  A    TREAT 

(q.V.)     to    SET-UP  =  to    *  STAND 
SAM  '  :   cf.  SET-DOWN. 

1887.  T.  STEVENS,  Around  World 
on  a  Bicycle  .  .  .  They  threaten  to  make 
him  SET  'EM  UP  every  time  he  tumbles  in 
hereafter. 

Adv.  (American). — Conceited. 

SEVEN.  To  BE  MORE  THAN  SEVEN, 
phr.    (common).       Wide-awake. 

Also,    MORE  THAN  TWELVE. 
£.1876.      Music   Hall  Song,    'You're 

MORE     THAN     SEVEN  '    [Title]. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet- 
heart,  195.  Yes,  I  really  do  think  that 
the  naughty  boy  is  MORE  THAN  SEVEN. 

1898.  GISSING,  Town  Traveller,  viii. 
4  We  all  know  that  Mr.  Gammon's  MORE 

THAN  SEVEN,' 


Sevendible. 


146 


Sewer. 


SEVENDIBLE,  adj.  adv.  (Irish). — 'A 
very  curious  word,  used  only  in  the 
North  of  Ireland,  to  denote  some- 
thing particularly  severe,  strong, 
or  sound.  It  is,  no  doubt,  de- 
rived from  sevendouble — that  is, 
sevenfold — and  is  applied  to  linen 
cloth,  a  heavy  beating,  a  harsh 
reprimand,  &c.'  (ROTTEN). 

SEVEN-PENNORTH  (or  SEVEN- 
PENCE),  subs.  phr.  (old). — See 
quot. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  11.  iii. 
1  My  lord,  if  I  am  to  stand  SEVENPENCE 
[7  yrs  transportation],  my  lord,  I  hope 
you'll  take  it  into  your  consideration.' 

SEVEN-SIDED  ANIMAL  (or  SEVEN- 
SIDED  SON  OF  A  BITCH),  phr. 
(old). — '  A  one-eyed  person  :  as 
as  he  has  a  right  side  and  a  left 
side,  a  front  side  and  a  back  side, 
an  inside  and  an  outside,  and  a 
blind  side '  (GROSE). 

SEVEN -YEAR,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
long  time  :  proverbial. 

15  [?].  Four  Elements  [HALLIWELL], 
That  is  the  best  daunce  without  a  pype 
that  I  saw  this  SEVEN  YERE. 

1579.  Mariage  of  Witt  and  Wis- 
dome.  Thay  ware  not  so  hack  this  SEVEN 

YBERE. 

1600.  SHAKSPEARE,  Much  Ado,  iii.  3. 
He  has  been  a  vile  thief  this  SEVEN  YEAR. 

SEVERELY,  adv.  (colloquial). — A 
generic  intensive  :  e.g. ,  *  to  be 
left  SEVERELY  alone'  =  to  be 
altogether  neglected. 

1854.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  General 
Bounce,  xii.  That  officer  has  dined  SE- 
VERELY, as  he  calls  it,  and  is  slightly 
inebriated. 

SEW.  To  SEW  UP  ONE'S  STOCK- 
ING, verb.  phr.  (C.  READE). — To 
silence ;  to  confute. 

1859.  READS,  Love  Me  Little,  xxvi. 
Eh  !  Miss  Lucy,  .  .  .  but  ye've  got  a 
tongue  in  your  head.  Ye've  SEWBD  UP  MY 


SEWED  UP,  adj.  phr.  (common). — 
i.  Pregnant;  KNOCKED-UP  (?.».). 
To  SEW  UP  =  to  get  with  child. 

2.  (pugilists'). — Severely 
punished :  spec,  with  bloated  eyes. 

3.  (common).  —  Exhausted  ; 
drunk ;  sick. 

1829.  BUCKSTONE,  Billy  Taylor. 
Kitty.  (Aside,  and  taking  out  a  vial.) 
This  liquid,  sent  me  by  Monsieur  Chabert, 
The  fire-king,  will  SEW  HIM  UP. 

1836.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  Iv. 
"  Busy  !  "  replied  Pell  ;  "I'm  completely 
SEWN  UP,  as  my  friend  the  late  Lord 
Chancellor  many  a  time  used  to  say  to  me." 

1841.  Punch,  I.,  278.  We  had  a  great 
night  in  London  before  I  started  only  I 
got  rascally  screwed,  not  exactly  SEWED 
UP,  you  know,  but  hit  under  the  wing  so 
that  I  could  not  very  well  fly. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life,  33.  A 
most  excellent  first  number— just  the  thing 
— SEW  the  lower  town  UP. 

1850.  SMEDLEY,  Frank  Fairlegh, 
xiv.  "  She's  in  first-rate  training,  'pon  my 
word :  I  thought  she'd  have  SEWN  me  UP 
at  one  time— the  pace  was  terrific." 

1860.  HALISURTON,  The  Season* 
Ticket,  No.  x.  "  Are  you  sure  you  wasn't 
drunk,  uncle?"  said  I.  "Quite  certain," 
he  said  ;  "I  might  have  been  overtaken 
...  but  I  am  sure  I  wasn't  SEWED  UP." 

1884.  C.  RUSSELL,  Jack's  Courtship, 
xiii.  If  Alphonso  carried  his  daughter 
away  from  England,  I  should  be  SEWED 
UP,  as  Jack  says,  for  want  of  funds  to  stick 
to  his  skirts. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xxii. 
She's  about  SEWN-UP  .  .  .  tired  herself  out 
at  the  game. 

4.  (nautical). — Grounded  :  also 
SUED  UP. 


SEWER,  subs.  (London).  —  The 
Metropolitan  and  Metropolitan 
District  Railways. 

2.  (Stock  Exchange).— In  pi. 
=  The  East  London  Railway 
shares. 


Sev. 


147 


Shack. 


COMMON  SEWER,  subs.  phr. 
(common). — (i)  An  indiscrimi- 
nate tippler  ;  (2)  the  throat ;  and 
(3)  see  quot. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  90.  You  may  truly  be  termed 
a  COMMON  SEWER  of  erudition. 

SEX,  subs,  (venery). — I.  The  female 
pudendum  :  generic.  See  MONO- 
SYLLABLE. 2.  THE  SEX  =  woman- 
kind. 

SEY  (SE  or  SAY)  (back  slang). — 
Yes :  pronounced  See. 

SHAB,  verb,  (old  colloquial).  —  I. 
To  GET  (or  MAKE)  SHABBY,  which 
=  (i)  'in  sorry  rigging'  (B.  E. 
and  GROSE),  out-at-elbows ;  and 
(2)  mean,  base,  SEEDY  (q.v.). 
Whence  SHABBAROON  (SHAB- 

ROON,    SHABRAG,    or    SHABSTER) 

=  a  ragamuffin,  '  a  mean  spirited 
fellow '  (B.  E.  and  GROSE).  Also 
SHABBY-GENTEEL  =  aping  gen- 
tility, but  really  shabby  ;  TO  SHAB 
OFF  =  '  to  sneak  or  slide  away ' 
(B.  E.). 

1680.  AUBREY,  Lives,  '  Lettes '  [G*Li- 
PHANT,  New  Engl.,  ii.  121.]  Among  new 
words  are  Sketch  .  .  .  SHABBY  (from 
scabby.) 

1688.  CLARENDON,  Diary,  7  Dec. 
They  were  very  SHABBY  fellows,  pitifully 
mounted,  and  worse  armed. 

1691-2.  WOOD,  Athena  Oxon.,  n. 
743.  They  mostly  had  short  hair,  and 
went  in  a  SHABBBD  condition. 

1698.  FARQUHAR,  Love  and  a  Bottle, 
iv.  3.  I  would  have  SHABBED  him  OFF. 

1703.  WARD,  London  S£y,  xv.  365. 
Some  loose  SHABKOON  in  Bawdy-Houses 
Bred. 

</.i704.  T.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  184.  My 
wife,  too,  .  .  .  let  in  an  inundation  of 
SHABROONS  to  gratify  her  concupiscence. 

1729.  SWIFT,  Hamilton's  Baron. 
The  dean  was  so  SHABBY,  and  look'd  like  a 
hinny. 

1816.  SCOTT,  Antiquary,  xv.  He's 
a  SHABBY  body. 


'.53- 


1823.  MONCRIEPF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
ii.  6.  We  haven't  had  a  better  job  a  long 
vile  nor  the  SHABBY  GENTEEL  lay. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsbv  Legends, 
'Lay  of  St.  Nicholas.'  And  how  in  the 
Abbey  No  one  was  so  SHABBY,  As  not  to 
say  yearly  four  masses  a  head. 

1840.  THACKERAY,  Shabby  Genteel 
Story  [Title]. 

1862.  THACKERAY,  Philip,  xxii.  Her 
mother  felt  more  and  more  ashamed  of  the 
SHABBY  fly  ...  and  the  SHABBY  cavalier. 

1894.     W.  M.  BAKER,  New  Timothy, 
Keeping  up  a  fragmentary  conversa- 
tion with  the  SHABBY  gentleman. 

2.  (old). — To  scratch  oneself: 
like  a  lousy  man  or  mangy  dog. 

SHABBY-WOMAN  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(literary). — See  quot. 

1864.  Atheneeum,  29  Oct.,  'Rev.  of 
Slang  Diet. '    There  is  the  SHABBY  WOMAN, 
a  term  pointing  to  the  statue  of  Minerva 
which  guards  the  portal  of  the  Athenzeum, 
and  looks  so  little  like  '  Eve  on  hospitable 
thoughts  intent,' — for  since  the  Athenaeum 
Club  was  established,  no  member  has  ever 
afforded  the  simplest  rites  of  hospitality  to 
a  friend. 

SHACK,  subs,  (old).— i.  A  shiftless 
fellow ;  a  vagabond :  also 
SHACKABACK,  SHACKBAG, 
SHACKRAG,  a  SHAKERAG.  As 

verb.  =to  go  on  tramp;  to  idle, 
to  loaf.  As  adj.  (also  SHACK- 
NASTY)  =  contemptible  :  if.  SHAG- 
BAG. 

1740.  NORTH,  Examen,  293.  Great 
ladies  are  more  apt  to  take  sides  with 
talking,  flattering  gossips  than  such  a 
SHACK  as  Fitzharris. 

18...  Widow  Bedott  Papers,  34. 
Her  father  was  a  poor  drunken  SHACK,  and 
her  mother  took  in  washin". 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons,  m.  General 
fly-oflfs  and  moral  unhitches  incident  to 
poor  SHACKLY  mortality. 

1865.  GoodWords,?<&y.,  125.  What 
makes  the  work  come  so  heavy  at  the  end 
of  the  week,  is,  that  the  men  are  SHACKING 
at  the  beginning. 

1882.  W.  ANDREWS,  Book  o/0ddities% 
84.  'Ripley  ruffians,  Butterley  blacks, 
Swanwick  bull-dogs,  Alfreton  SHACKS.'.  . . 
For  generations  past  Alfreton  always  had, 
down  to  twenty  years  ago,  a  notorious  set 


Shackle. 


148 


Shadow. 


of  idlers  in  it,  ready  for  anything  except 
working  for  an  honest  living — easily  earning 
the  cognomen  of  Alfreton  SHACKS.  .  .  . 
The  date  of  the  origin  of  the  rhyme  is  pro- 
bably about  1800. 

1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,  29  Sep. 
The  meanest,  wickedest,  low-down,  SHACK- 
NASTY  lot  of  heathens  in  America. 

1896.  OPPENHEIM,  False  Evidence, 
xxvi.  What  would  you  have  me  do? 
SHACK  about  with  my  hands  in  my  pockets 
all  day. 

2.  (American). — See  quots.    In 
Canada  SHACK  =  dwelling. 

1887.  ROBERTS,  Western  Avernus. 
I  ...  and  Mitchell  were  in  one  of  the 
SHACKS  or  huts. 

1881.  New    York    Times,    18  Dec. 
[quoted  in  ' Noll'  6  S.,  v.  65.    SHACK.— 
A  log  cabin.    The  average  SHACK  com- 
prises but  one  room,   and  is  customarily 
roofed  with  earth,  supported  by  poles. 

1882.  Century  Mag-.,  511.    A  SHACK 
is  a  one-story  house  built  of  cotton-wood 
logs,  driven  in  the  ground  like  piles,  or  laid 
one  upon  another.     The  roof  is  of  sticks 
and  twigs  covered  with  dirt,  and  if  there  is 
no  woman  to  insist  on  tidiness,  the  floor 
will  be  of  pounded  earth. 

3.  (Post  Office).  —A misdirected 
or  returned  letter. 

SHACKLE,  suds.  (American). — A 
raffle. 

1885.  Western  Gaz.,  30  Jan.  [Notes 
and  Queries,  6  S.,  xi.  245].  [He]  was 
asked  by  a  young  man  to  join  in  a  SHACKLE 
for  live  tame  rabbits. 

SHACKLY  (or  SHACKLING),  adj. 
(American).  —  Ricketty  ;  RAM- 
SHACKLE (y.v.). 

1872.  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE,  Coupon 
Bonds,  387.  The  gate  itself  was  such  a 
SHACKLING  concern,  a  child  couldn't  have 
leaned  on  it  without  breaking  it  down. 

1876.  Century,  xxv.  672.  An  un- 
painted  and  SHACKLY  dwelling. 

1884.  CLEMENS,   Huck.  Finn.,  xxi. 
All  kinds  of  old  SHACKLY  wagons. 

1885.  J.  W.  PALMER,  New  and  Old, 
55.     Very  small  mean,  slender  and  brittle- 
looking,  or  what  old  coloured  nurses  call 

SHACKLY, 


1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  v. 
Caliente,  a  SHACKLY  frontier  settlement. 

SHACK-STONER,  subs.  phr. — As  in 
quot.  [?6d.]. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Signor  Lippo,  xvii. 
Oh  !  I  knows  'em  all  and  can  recon  'em  up, 
from  a  SHACK-STONER  to  a  cold  'later. 
You  see  I've  been  at  the  stand  for  twelve 
years.  Ibid.,  xx.  You  see,  if  yer  get  a 
rozzer  to  call  yer  up  he  wants  a  SCHACK- 
STONER,  but  if  I  call  'em  up  I  gets  a 
thrummer  a  week. 

SHAD,  subs.  (American). — A  pros- 
titute. See  TART. 

SHAD  BELLY,  subs.  (American). — 
A  Quaker :  the  Quaker  coat 
from  neck  to  skirt  follows  the 
ventral  line  of  the  shad — hence 
SHAD-BELLIED  =  sloping  in  front 
like  a  Quaker  coat.  Cj.  CUTAWAY. 

1869.  STOWE,   Oldtown,  8.     He  was 
kind  'o    mournfnl   and    thin    and    SHAD- 
BELLIED. 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  \.  13.    Three 
cornered  hats,  SHAD-BELLIED  coats,  shoe 
and  knee  buckles. 

SHADE,  subs,  (common). — In//.  = 
wine-vaults  :  also  as  in  quot.  1823. 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf^  s.v.  SHADES. 
The  SHADES  at  London  Bridge  are  under 
Fishmongers'  Hall.  .  .  .  The  SHADES  at 
Spring  Gardens  is  a  subterranean  ale-shop. 

Verb,  (thieves'). — To  conceal ; 
to  keep  secret. 

SHADKIN,  subs.  (American).  —  A 
marriage-broker. 

SHADOW,  subs,  and  verb.  (old). — 
i.  A  spy  or  close  attendant : 
e.g.  (i)  a  detective;  (2)  see  quot. 
1869 ;  (3)  a  bosom  friend  ;  and 
(4)  a  JACKAL  (q.v.).  As  verb.  — 
(i)  to  track,  to  spy,  to  DOG  (q.v.) ; 
and  (2)  to  be  inseparable. 

1607.  TOURNEUR,  Revenger's  Tra- 
gedy, ii.  3.  l^en.  I'd  almost  forgot 

the  bastard  !    Lus.  What  of  him  ?     Ven. 

This  night,  this  hour,  this  minute,  now 

Lus.  What?  what?    Ven.    SHADOWS  the 
duchess—-. 


Shadrach. 


149 


Shady. 


£.1859.  Providence  Jl.  [BARTLETT], 
She  was  SHADOWED,  and  her  ways  of  life 
ascertained. 

1869.  GREENWOOD,  Seven  Curses  of 
London.  She's  a  dress-woman  .  .  .  one 
.  .  .  they  tog  out  that  they  may  show  off 
at  their  best,  and  make  the  most  of  their 
faces.  They  can't  trust  'em  .  .  .  you 
might  tell  that  by  the  SHADDER. 

1876.  New  York  Herald,  23  Mar. 
Barr  was  decoyed  ...  by  a  member  of 
the  secret  service,  who  SHADOWED  him. 

1888.  PINKERTON,  Midnight  Ex- 
fress,  23.  A  man  had  SHADOWED  the 
detective  since  his  departure  from  the  rail- 
way office. 

1891.  G.  F.  GRIFFITHS  [Tr.  FOUARD, 
Christ,  The  Son  of  God,  i.  238].  He  was 
SHADOWED  by  spies,  who  were  stirring  up 
the  crowd  against  Him. 

1897.  Weekly  Dispatch,  24  Oct. ,  2.  4. 
They  proved  to  be  two  well-known  and 
expert  burglars  .  .  .  and  the  SHADOWING 
was  continued  for  several  days,  the  police 
hoping  to  secure  the  receiver. 

1902.  LYNCH,  High  Stakes,  xxyiii. 
It  is  not  a  SHADOWING  expedition.  It  is  a 
hold-up. 

2.  (Westminster  School).—  See 
quot. 

1867.  COLLINS,  Public  Schools,  187. 
When  a  boy  is  first  placed  in  the  school, 
he  is  attached  to  another  boy  in  the  same 
form,  something  in  the  relation  of  an  ap- 
prentice. The  new  boy  is  called  the 
SHADOW,  the  other  the  '  substance.'  In  the 
first  week  the  SHADOW  follows  the  sub- 
stance everywhere,  takes  his  place  next  to 
him  in  class  .  .  .  and  is  exempt  from  any 
responsibility  for  his  own  mistakes  in  or  out 
of  school.  During  this  interval  of  indul- 
gence his  patron  is  expected  to  initiate  him 
in  all  the  work  of  the  school  ...  in  short 
to  teach  him  by  degrees  to  enter  upon  .  .  . 
a  responsible  existence  of  bis  own. 

MAY  YOUR  SHADOW  NEVER  BE 

(or  GROW)  LESS,/^;-.  (colloquial). 
=  May  you  prosper  ! 

1887.  Referee,  2  Jan.  The  recipients 
.  .  .  hope  that  Sara's  SHADOW  MAY  NEVER 

GROW  LESS. 

SHADRACH,  subs,  (founders'). — A 
mass  of  badly  smelted  iron.  \Cf. 
Daniel,  iii.  26,  27.] 


SHADSCALES  (or  SCALES),  subs. 
(American). — See  quot. 

1875.  American  English  [Chatn. 
Journal,  25  Sept.,  610],  Money  has 
different  names;  as  ...  SHADSCALES, 
charms  .  .  . 

SHADY,  adj.  and  adv.  (orig.  Uni- 
versity :  now  generally  colloquial. ) 
—  Generic  for  decadence  and 
deterioration,  moral,  physical, 
and  material.  Hence,  ON  THE 
SHADY  SIDE  OF  [e.g.,  40]  =  be- 

yond  (or  older)  than  40  years  of 
age  ;  TO  KEEP  SHADY  (American) 
=  to  keep  in  the  background,  to 
be  cautious  and  reticent. 

1852.  BRISTED,  Five  Years  in  an 
Eng.  University,  147.  Some  .  .  .  are 
rather  SHADY  in  Greek  and  Latin. 

1862.  CLOUGH,  The  Bothee  o/Tober- 
Na-Vuolich.     SHADY  in  Latin,  said  Lind- 
say, but  topping  in  Plays  and  Aldrich. 

1863.  KINGSLEY,  Austin  Elliott,  xii. 
Hayton  had  come  for  his  hour's  logic  .  .  . 
Hayton  was  the  only  SHADY  man  of  the 
lot ;  the  only  "  pass"  man  of  the  whole. 

1864.  Spectator,  1186.     The  Univer- 
sity word  SHADY  meaning  simply  poor  and 
inefficient,  as  when  a  man  is  said  to  be 
"  SHADY  in   Latin  but  topping  in  Greek 
plays  "  is  obviously  University  slang. 

1874.  HATTON,  Clytie,  in.  xiii.  No 
more  seedy  clients,  no  more  SHADY  cases  ; 
Simon  Cuffing  shall  be  known  for  his 
intense  respectability. 

1883.  HAWLEY  SMART,  At  Fault, 
III.  vii.  Mr.  Andernore  engaged  in  a  good 
many  transactions  that,  though  not  illegal 
exactly,  were  of  the  kind  denominated 

SHADY. 

1886.  D.  Telegraph,  n  Sep.  The 
public  might  be  misled  into  subscribing  to 
a  SHADY  undertaking.  Ibid.  (1888),  30 
Nov.  Between  these,  however,  and  the 
SHADIEST  pickpocket  who  calls  himself  a 
Count  there  are  infinite  degrees  of  assump- 
tion and  sham. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  '  Pomes,'  8.  If 
this  isn't  a  SHADY  lot.  Ibid.,  9.  And  luck 
of  the  SHADIEST  sort.  ' 

THE  SHADY  GROVES  OF  THE 
EVANGELIST,  subs.  phr.  (Lon- 
don).—St.  John's  Wood.  [A 
favourite  haunt  of  loose  women.] 


Shady  Spring.  150 


Shag-bag. 


SH ADY SPRING,  subs. phr.  (venery). 
—  The  female  pudendum  :  see 
MONOSYLLABLE. 

1772.      BRIDGES,  Homer  Burlesque, 

62.     Not  that  for  Greece  she  car'd  a  f 1, 

But  hated  Paris  in  her  heart,  Because 
he'd  seen  her  SHADY  SPRING,  And  did  not 
think  it  was  the  thing. 

SHAFT.     To  MAKE  A  SHAFT  OR 

A  BOLT  OF  IT,  verb.  phr.  (old). 

— To  take  a  risk  for  what  it  is 

worth  ;    to  venture. 

1596.      SHAKSPEARE,  Merry  Wives, 

Ui.  4,  24.      I'll  MAKE  A  SHAFT  OR  A  BOLT 

ON'T  :  'slid,  'tis  but  venturing. 

1617.  HOWELL,  Letters,  i,  iii.  24. 
The  Prince  is  preparing  for  his  journey  ; 
I  shall  to  it  again  closely  when  he  is  gone, 

Or  MAKE  A  SHAFT  OR  A  BOLT  ON   IT, 

SHAFT  OF  CUPID  (or  DELIGHT), 

subs.  phr.  (venery).—  The  penis: 
see  PRICK. 

1719.  DURFEY,  Pills,  iv.  72.  It  is  a 
SHAFT  OF  CUPID'S  cut,  'Twill  serve  to 
Rove,  to  Prick,  to  Butt. 

1782.  STEVENS,  Songs  Comic  and 
Satirycal,  'The  Picture.1  For  Cupid's 
Pantheon,  the  SHAFT  OF  DELIGHT  must 
spring  from  the  masculine  base. 


SHAFTSBURY,  subs.  (B.E.  ^.1696). 
'  A  gallon-pot  full  of  wine,  with 
a  Cock.' 

SHAG,  subs,  (venery).  —  i.  The  act 
of  kind  ;  (2)  =  a  PERFORMER 
((/.v.)  :  e.g.)  *  lie's  but  a  bad 
SHAG  '  =  '  He's  no  able  woman's 
man'  (GROSE),  hsverb.  =  (i) 
to  copulate  :  see  GREENS  and 
RIDE  ;  and  (2)  TO  FRIG 


To  SHAG  BACK,  verb.  phr. 
(hunting).  —  To  hesitate  ;  to  hang 
back  ;  to  refuse  a  fence. 

As  WET  AS  A  SHAG,  phr.  (pro- 
vincial). —  As  wet  as  may  be. 
[SHAG  =  cormorant]. 


SHAG-  (or  SHAKE-)  BAG  (or  RAG), 
subs.  phr.  (old). —  I.  'A  poor 
shabby  fellow'  (B.  E.)j  *a  man 
of  no  spirit  :  a  term  borrowed 
from  the  cock-pit '  (GROSE)  : 
originally  as  in  quot.  1611.  Also 
as  adj.  —  mean  ;  beggarly.  See 
RAG. 

1588.  MARLOWE,  Jew  of  Malta.  Act 
iv.  Bara.  Was  ever  Jew  tormented  as 
I  am?  To  have  a  SHAG-RAG  knave  to 
come,  &c. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet,  s.v.  Guerlu* 
set,  somewhat  like  our  SHAG  RAG,  a  byword 
for  a  beggerlie  souldier. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,   May-day,  Act  11. 
281  (Plays,   1874).      If  I  thought  'twould 
ever  come  to  that,  I'd  hire    some  SHAG- 
RAG  or  other  for  half  a  zequine  to  cut's 
throat. 

1612.  CHAPMAN,    Widow's    Tears, 
Act  v.,   338  (Plays,    1874).      To   send    a 
man  abroad  under  guard  of  one  of  your 
silliest  SHACK-RAGS  ;  that  he  may  beat  the 
knave,  and  run's  way  ? 

1615.  Exch.    Ware  at  the   Second 
Hand  [HALLIWELL].      A  scurrie  SHAG- 
RAGGE  gentleman. 

1616.  SCOT,    Certain   Pieces,  &C. 

For  .  .  .  honestie    is    fellow    SHAKER AG 
with  simplicitie. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Urania,  7.  The 
SHAK-RAG  shag-haird  crue. 

1641.  BROME,  Jovial  Crew,  iii.  Do 
you  talk  SHAKE-RAG  ?  heart !  yond's  more 
of  'em  ;  I  shall  be  beggar-mawl'd  if  I  stay. 

1665.  R.  HEAD,  English  Rogue. 
I.  ix.,  71  (1874).  From  what  Dunghil 
didst  thou  pick  up  this  SHAKERAG,  this 
squire  of  the  body  ? 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  i.  269. 
He  was  a  SHAKE-RAG  like  fellow. 

2.  (cockers'  :  also  colloquial). 
— A  fighting-cock  ;  and  so,  by 
implication,  a  *  hen  of  the  GAME  ' 
(q.v.}. 

1 700.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  the  World. 
N.  ii.  Wit.  Come  Knight  .  .  .  will 
you  go  to  a  cock-match  ?  Sir  WiL  With 
a  wench,  Tony?  Is  she  a  SHAKE-BAG, 
sirrah  ? 


Shake. 


Shake. 


1771.  SMOLLETT,  Humphrey  Clinker 
[1900],  i.  68.  '  I  bless  God  .  .  .  that  Mrs. 
Tabitha  Bramble  did  not  take  the  field 
to-day  1  '  I  would  pit  her  .  .  .  against 
the  best  SHAKEBAG  of  the  whole  main. 


SHAKE,  subs,  (venery).  —  I.  A 
whore,  and  (2)  an  act  of  coition. 
3.  (common)  a  standard  of  value, 
usually  in  the  phrase  NO  GREAT 
SHAKES  =  anything  of  small  ac- 
count. 4.  (American)  =  a  show. 
Also  FAIR  SHAKES  =  a  tolerable 
bargain  or  chance. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  41.  Though 
NO  GREAT  SHAKES  at  learned  chat. 

1820.  BYRON,  Letter  [jo  Murray],  28 
Sep.     I  had  my  hands  full,  and  my  head 
too  just    then,  so  it  can  be  NO   GREAT 
SHAKES. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  in.  ii. 
I'll  give  you  a  chant  composed  upon  Dick 
Turpin,  the  highwayman.  It's  NO  GREAT 
SHAKES,  to  be  sure,  but  it's  the  best  I 
have. 

1847.  Chron.  of  Pineville,  34.    Give 
Bill  Sweeny  a  FAIR  SHAKE,  and  he  can 
whoop  blue  blazes  out  of  ye. 

1848.  DURIVAGE,  Stray  Subjects,  56. 
The  Museum  ...  he  didn't  consider  ANY 
very  GREAT  SHAKES. 

1855.  KINGSLEY,  Westward  Ho, 
xxx.  No  GREAT  SHAKES  of  a  man  to  look 
to,  nether. 

£.1859.  Newspaper  Cutting'  ["S"], 
200.  "A  SHAKE.  Hope  no  offence  ;  none 
so  meant,  mum.  A  SHAKE'S  a  party  as  is 
married  and  as  isn't,  if  you  understand 
me,  mum.  '  In  keeping,'  some  calls  it." 

1865.  GASKELL,  Wives  and  Daugh- 
ters, xxi.  After  all,  a  senior  wrangler  was 
NO  GREAT  SHAKES.  Any  man  might  be 
one  if  he  liked. 

1888.  BOLDKEWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xxix.  We  didn't  set  up  to  be  ANY 
GREAT  SHAKES  ourselves,  Jim  and  I. 

1891.  NEWMAN,  Scamping  Tricks, 
47.  Here  comes  the  SHAKE. 

1898.  Pink  '[7n  and  Pelican,  24.  He 
was  NO  GREAT  SHAKES  as  a  scholar,  but 
be  understood  racing  and  human  nature. 


2.  (various). — In//.  =r  generic 
for  unsteadiness  :  specifically  de- 
lirium tremens. 

£.1859.  Western  Gazetteer  [BARTLETT]. 
The  springs  fail  once  in  a  while  since  the 
SHAKES  of  1812. 

1884.  Cornhill  Mag.,  June,  616. 
Until  she  is  pulled  up  by  an  attack  of 
delirium  tremens,  or,  as  she  and  her  neigh- 
bours style  it,  a  fit  of  THE  SHAKES. 

1898.  Man  of  the  World,  7  Dec.,  5, 
3.  When  John  has  a  real  attack  of  THE 
SHAKES,  we  fasten  the  churn  handle  to  him, 
and  he  brings  the  butter  inside  of  fifteen 
minutes. 

1900.  NISBET,  Sheep's  Clothing,  iv. 
iv.  All  had  experienced  the  SHAKES,  and 
so  were  able  to  sympathise. 

5.  (common). — A  fad.   Also  in 
combination :     as     the     MILK- 
SHAKE, the  VEGETARIAN-SHAKE, 

&c.     SHOOK  ON  =  in  love  with. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xxiv.  He  was  awful  SHOOK  ON 
Madg  ;  but  she  wouldn't  look  at  him. 
Ibid.,  xxxvi.  I'm  regular  SHOOK"  ON  the 
polka.  Ibid.,  xl.  A  steady-going  he's  a 
little — you  understand — well,  SHOOK  ON 
me. 

6.  (colloquial).  —  Generic    for 
quick    action  :     e.g.,    A    GREAT 
SHAKE  =  a    quick    pace  ;    IN   A 

BRACE  (or  COUPLE)  OF  SHAKES 
(or  IN  THE  SHAKE  OF  A  LAMB'S 

TAIL)  =  instantly. 

[  ?  ].  Huntlyng  of  the  Hare,  96. 
Thei  wente  a  nobull  SCHAKKE. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.  (Babes 
in  the  Wood).  I'll  be  back  in  a  COUPLE 

OF  SHAKES. 

1841.  Punch,  \.  135.  A  couple  of 
agues  Caught,  to  speak  vulgarly,  IN  A 

BRACE  OF  SHAKES. 

1854,  MARTIN  and  AYTOUN,  Bon 
Gaultier  Ballads,  '  Jupiter  and  the  Indian 
Ale.'  Quick!  invent  some  other  drink, 
Or,  IN  A  BRACE  OF  SHAKES  thou  standest 
On  Cocytus'  sulph'ry  brink. 

1866.  READE,  Cloister  and  Hearth, 
xciii.  Now  Dragon  could  kill  a  wolf  in  a 

BRACE  OF  SHAKES. 


Shake. 


(52 


Shake. 


Verb,  (venery). — I.   See  quots., 
and  (2)  to  masturbate. 

[  ?  ].  Nominate  MSS.,  Lascivus. 
Anglice  a  SCHAKEKE. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Arch.  Words, 
£g*c.,  s.v.  SHAKE  ...  (5)  Futuo.  This 
seems  to  be  the  ancient  form  of  sftag,  given 
by  Grose. 

2.  (old).— To  steal  :    e.g.,   TO 

SHAKE       A       SWELL    =    to      rob 

a  gentleman ;  TO  SHAKE  A 
CHEST  OF  SLOP  =  to  steal  a 
chest  of  tea  ;  TO  BE  SHOOK  OF  A 
SKIN  =  to  be  robbed  of  a  purse  ; 
HAVE  YOU  SHOOK  ?  =  Have  you 
stolen  anything,  &c.  (GROSE  and 
VAUX). 

1859.  KINGSLEY,  Geoffrey  Hantlyn, 
xix.  1  ...  got  from  bad  to  worse  till  I 
SHOOK  a  nag,  and  got  bowled  out  and 
lagged. 

1885.  Chambers'!  Journal,  21  Mar., 
190.  Each  man  on  the  best  stock-horse  he 
could  beg,  borrow,  or  SHAKE. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xxiv.  Some  well-bred  horse  you 
chaps  have  been  SHAKING  lately.  ^Ibid., 
xxxiv.  I've  two  minds  to  SHAKE  him  and 
leave  you  my  horse  and  a  share  of  the  gold 
to  boot. 

3.  (common). — To     shake 
hands  ;  generally  SHAKE  ! 

1825.  JONES,  True  Bottonfd  Boxer 
[Univ.  Songst.,  ii.  96].  Spring's  the  boy 
for  ...  SHAKING  a  flipper. 

1891.  NEWMAN,  Scamping  Trieks, 
59.  SHAKE!  That's  right.  As  we  under- 
stand each  other,  I  will  now  tell  you  how 
things  ended. 

1802.  Lippincott's,  Oct.,  501.  I'd 
cure  thet  kid,  ef  it  bust  the  plan  Of  the 
whole  durned  universe.  "  SHAKE!"  says 
Dan. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  ii. 
'  SHAKE,  honest  Injun  ! '  said  the  Texan. 

4.  (common). — To  throw  dice, 
or  (printers')  '  quads  ' ;  to  gamble 
(GROSE)  :    see  JEFF  ;    and    TO 

SHAKE   AN    ELBOW  (q.V.,  adding 

to  the  latter  the  following  earlier 
and  later  quotations). 


1613.  WEBSTER,  Devil's  Law  Case, 
ii.  T.  SHAKING  YOUR  ELBOW  at  the  table- 
board  .  .  .  and  resorting  to  your  whore  in 
hired  velvet. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  3  Ap.  SHAK- 
ING HIS  ELBOW  at  baccarat  nearly  every 
night. 

5.  (common). — To   turn  one's 
back  on  ;  to  desert. 

PHRASES  and  COLLOQUIALISMS. 

— MORE  THAN   ONE  CAN  SHAKE 

A    STICK    AT  =  past    counting ; 

NOTHING     WORTH     SHAKING     A 

STICK  AT  =  worthless ;  TO  SHAKE 
A  FOOT  (TOE,  or  LEG)  =  to  dance  ; 

TO    SHAKE     A     LOOSE     LEG     (see 

LEG)  ;  TO  SHAKE  TOGETHER  = 
to  get  on  well  or  smoothly;  TO 
SHAKE  UP  =  to  upbraid ;  TO 
SHAKE  A  FALL  =  to  wrestle  ;  TO 

SHAKE     A    TART  =  to    possess    a 

woman;  TO  SHAKE  UP  =  (i) 
to  scold,  and  (2)  to  mas- 
turbate ;  TO  SHAKE  A  CLOTH  IN 
THE  WIND  =  to  be  hanged 
(GROSE)  ;  TO  SHAKE  DOWN  = 
(i)  (see  SHAKE-DOWN),  and  (2) 
to  accommode  oneself  to,  to  settle 
down;  TO  SHAKE.  THE  GHOST 
INTO  ONE  =  to  frighten  ;  TO 

SHAKE     THE     BULLET     (or     RED 

RAG)  =  (i)  see  BULLET  and  RED, 
and  (2)  to  threaten  to  discharge 
(tailors')  ;  TO  SHAKE  UP  =  to 
get  (American);  *You  may  go 
and  SHAKE  YOUR  EARS  '=  advice 
to  one  who  has  lost  his  money ' 
(RAY). 
1602.  SHAKSPEARE,  Twelfth  Night, 

U.  I.      Go,  SHAKE  YOUR  EARS. 

[16?].  HOLLAND,  Camden,  628. 
Mabel  did  SHAKE  UP  in  some  hard  and 
sharpe  termes  a  young  gentleman. 

1826.  NEAL,  Peter  Brush.  I've  .  .  . 
got  more  black  eyes  and  bloody  noses  than 

you  Could  SHAKE  A  STICK  AT. 

[  ?  ].  '  CROCKETT,  Tour,  87.  There 
was  nothing  to  treat  a  friend  to  that  was 

Worth  SHAKING  A  STICK  AT. 

1830.  BUCKSTONE,  Wreck  Ashore, 
ii.  i.  Gaf.  Dance?  I  havn't  SHAKEN  A 
TOE  these  twenty  years. 


Shake-bag. 


153 


Shake-lurk. 


1854.  COLLINS,  Hide  and  Seek,  n. 
i.  I  can't  SHAKE  UP  along  with  the  rest 
of  you  ...  I  am  used  to  hard  lines  and  a 
wild  country. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tow  Brown  at  Ox- 
ford, I.  xi.  The  rest  of  the  men  had 

SHAKEN    well   TOGETHER. 

1865.  MAJ.  DOWNING,  May-day  in 
Neiu  York.  New  York  is  an  everlastin' 
great  concern,  and  .  .  .  there's  about  as 
many  people  in  it  as  you  could  SHAKE  A 

STICK   AT. 

18  [?].  THACKERAY,  Mr.  Malonys 
Account  of  the  Ball.  And  I'd  like  to  hear 
the  pipers  blow,  And  SHAKE  A  PUT  with 
Fanny  there. 

1880.  Scribner's  Mag.,  Mar.,  655. 
I've  heard  my  father  play  it  at  Arrah,  and 
SHOOK  A  FOOT  myself  with  the  lads  on  the 
green. 

1892.  FENN,  New  Mistress,  i.  "  I'm 
very,  very  glad  to  know  you,  my  dear," 
she  said  warmly,  "  and  I  hope  you'll  come 
and  see  me  often  as  soon  as  you  get 

SHAKEN   DOWN." 

1892.  ANSTEY,  Voces  Populi,  '  At  the 
Military  Exhibition,  72.  Ain't  you  shot 
enough  ?  SHAKE  A  LEG,  can't  yer  Jim  ? 

SHAKE-BAG,  subs.  phr.  (venery). — 
The  female  pttdendum  :  see  MO- 
NOSYLLABLE. Cf.  SHAGBAG,  2. 

SHAKE-BUCKLER,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  swash-buckler  ;  a  bully. 

</.i57o.  BECON,  Works,  ii.  355.  Such 
Sim  SHAKE-BUCKLERS  as  in  their  young 
years  fall  into  serving,  and  in  their  old 
years  fall  into  beggary. 

SHAKE-DOWN,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).—!. An  improvised  bed. 
Also  as  verb.  —  (i)  to  sleep  on 
a  temporary  substitute  for  a  bed. 

^.1849.  Miss  EDGEWORTH,  Rose, 
Thistle,  and  Shamrock,  i.  3.  I  would 
not  choose  to  put  more  on  the  floor  than 
two  beds  and  one  SHAKE-DOWN. 

1821.  EGAN,  Real  Life,  n.  164.  Sure 
enough  a  SHAKE-DOWN  is  a  two-penny 
layer  of  straw,  and  saving  the  tatters  on 
my  back,  not  a  covering  at  all  at  all. 

1838.  MRS.  HALL,  Irish  Character, 
137.  ^  A  SHAKE-DOWN  had  been  ordered 
even  in  Mr.  Barry's  own  study. 


1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  \. 
272.  In  the  better  lodginsj-houses  the 
SHAKEDOWNS  are  small  palliasses  or  mat- 
tresses ;  in  the  worst  they  are  bundles  of 
rags  of  any  kind  ;  but  loose  straw  is  used 
only  in  the  country  for  SHAKEDOWNS. 

1858.  DICKENS,  Great  Expectations, 
xli.  He  .  .  .  advised  me  to  look  out  at 
once  for  a  "fashionable  crib  "  near  Hyde 
Park,  in  which  he  could  have  a  SHAKE- 
DOWN. 

1860.  RUSSELL,  Diary  in  India,  t. 
40.  Five  or  six  of  us  SHOOK  DOWN  for  the 
night  and  resigned  ourselves  to  the  mus- 
quitoes  and  to  slumber. 

1869.  MRS.  WOOD,  Roland  Yorke, 
xxxi.  Where  are  you  going  to  sleep  ?  " 
..."  I  dare  say  they  can  give  me  a 
SHAKE-DOWN  at  the  mother's.  The  hearth- 
rug will  do." 

1872.  Sunday  Times  ;  18  Aug.,  '  Fun 
and  Riddle  Club.'  It  was  resolved  :  The 
members  of  this  club  do  retire  to  their 
virtuous  SHAKEDOWNS  to  pass  the  rest  of 
the  night  in  the  arms  of  Morpheus. 

1883.  GREENWOOD,  Odd  People,  51. 
Two  or  three  of  missus's  younger  children 
.  .  .  have  a  SHAKEDOWN  on  the  pot-board 
beneath  her,  while  father  and  mother  share 
a  mattress  in  the  wash-house. 

1886.  D.  Telegraph,  20  Mar.  At 
night  he  had  a  SHAKE-DOW  -  in  an  adjacent 
outhouse. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xi.  The 
butler  made  a  collection  for  us  and  gave 
us  a  SHAKE  DOWN  in  the  stables  on  some 
nice  clean  hay. 

1897.  MITFORD,  Romance  of  Cape 
Frontier,  i.  v.  He  had  SHAKEN-DOWN  in 
Hick's  room,  and  the  two  had  talked  .  .  . 
themselves  to  sleep. 

1901.  Troddles,  122.  Why  not  run 
on  and  get  a  SHAKEDOWN  there.  They'll 
do  us  decently  and  cheap  if  they  are  not 
already  full. 

2.     (American    thieves').  —  A 
brothel  kept  by  a  PANEL-THIEF 


3.     (American).  —  A    rough 
dance  ;  a  BREAK-DOWN  (q.v.). 

SHAKE-LURK,  subs.  phr.  (old  Cant). 
—  A  begging  petition  :  specifi- 
cally one  on  account  of  shipwreck  : 
SHAKE-GLIM  =  one  for  fire. 


Shaker. 


'54 


Shallow. 


1857-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 
333.  The  patterer  becomes  a  "  lurker," — 
that  is,  an  impostor  ;  his  papers  certify 
any  and  every  ill  that  flesh  is  heir  to. 
Shipwreck  is  called  a  SHAKE  LURK. 

SHAKER,  subs,  (common).— i.  The 
hand :  see  DADDLE. 

2.  (common). — A    shirt  :    see 
FLESHBAG     (SNOWDON,     Mag. 
Assist.  (1857)  446). 

3.  (busmen's). — An  omnibus. 

SHAKERAG.    See  SHAGBAG. 
SHAKESTER.    See  SHICKSTER. 

SHAKE-UP,  subs.phr.  (colloquial). 
— A  commotion  ;  a  disturbance. 

SHAKY,  adj.  (colloquial).  —  Any- 
thing questionable  :  generic  — 
unstable,  insolvent,  unwell,  dis- 
honest, immoral,  drunken,  ig- 
norant. SHAKINESS  =  hesitancy, 
degeneracy. 

1841.  THACKERAY,  Gt.  Hoggarty 
Diamond.  Our  director  was  —  what  is 
not  to  be  found  in  Johnson's  Dictionary — 
rather  SHAKY. 

1853.  LYTTON,  My  Novel,  xi.  xvii. 
I  must  be  off  presently  to    those    three 
SHAKY  voters  in  Fish  Lane. 

1854.  WHYTE    MELVILLE,   General 
Bounce,  x.     Is  it  not  a  noble  ambition  to 
arrive  at  terms  of  apparent  intimacy  with 
this  SHAKY  grandee  ? 

1858.  N.  Y.  Tribune,  21  Jan.     Four 
.  .  .  adverse,  and   several  others  SHAKY. 

1859.  EuOT>  Adam  Bede,  xxviii.     I 
feel  terribly  SHAKY  and  dizzy. 

1861.  KINGSLEY,  Ravenshoe,  xviii. 
Affairs  are  getting  somewhat  SHAKY  there  : 
Welter's  tradesmen  can't  get  any  money. 

1890.  ALLEN,  Tents  of  S hem,  x.  I 
expect  your  chances  would  have  been 

SHAKY. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  iv. 
A  few  women,  faultless  in  attire,  even  if 
SHAKY  in  morals. 

SHALER,  subs,  (common).— A  girl. 


SH  ALLEY-GO  N  AH  EY, 

(provincial).  —  A 
(HOTTEN). 


subs.     phr. 
smock-frock 


SHALLOW,  subs,  (old)  —  i.  An 
empty-headed  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
[Cf.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.  Hi. 
2.]  Whence  (2)  =  a  fool ;  also 
SHALLOW-LING  and  SHALLOW- 
PATE  (B.  E.  and  GROSE.) 

1615.  SYLVESTER,  Tobacco  Battered 
[Century].  —  Can  Wee  suppose  that  any 
SHALLOWLING  Can  finde  much  good  in  oft- 
Tobaccoring. 

1646.  British  Bellman  [Harl.  Misc., 
yii.  633.  Whores,  when  they  have  drawn 
in  silly  SHALLOWLINGS,  will  ever  find  some 
trick  to  retain  them. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xxvi. 
The  local  SHALLOWS  thought  this  mode  o! 
entrance  added  dignity. 

3.  (old). — A  low-crowned  hat  ; 
1  a  whip-hat ' :     whence    LILLY- 
SHALLOW  =  a    white     whip-hat 
(GROSE  and  VAUX). 

4.  (costermongers'). — (a)    The 
peculiar  barrow  used  by    street 
traders      (also     TROLLEY     and 
WHITECHAPEL  BROUGHAM  :  Fr. 
une  bagnole} ;    and  (6)  see  quot. 
1851. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 
29.  The  square  and  oval  SHALLOWS  are 
willow  baskets,  about  four  inches  deep,  and 
thirty  Cinches  long,  by  eighteen  broad. 
Ibid.,  i.  146.  Two  or  three  customers  with 
their  SHALLOWS  slung  over  their  back. 

1875.  GREENWOOD,  Low  Life  Depths. 
Here  they  are  after  it— in  vehicles  for  the 
greater  part ;  in  carts  and  half-carts,  and 
SHALLOWS  and  barrows. 

1876.  HINDLEY,    Cheap  Jack,    184. 
With  a  proviso  that  he  did  not  go  travelling 
in  the  country  with  his  .SHALLOW. 

1891.  M.  Advertiser,  30  Mar.  The 
connexion  between  Lord  Lonsdale's  travels 
.  .  .  and  his  capacity  to  drive  anything  on 
wheels  from  a  Pickford's  van  to  a  coster- 
monger's  SHALLOW,  is,  one  would  fancy, 
remote  enough. 

1896.  SALA,  London  Up-to-date,  45. 
The  free  and  independent  costermonger, 
with  his  pal  in  the  SHALLOW. 


Sham. 


155 


Sham. 


1899.  Ev.  Standard,  13  March,  8,  2. 
'A  China  Episode."  Mathew  Leveret,  a 
peripatetic  dealer  in  crockery  ware,  was 
driving  his  pony  and  SHALLOW  .  .  .  laden 
with  crockeryware  of  all  kinds. 

4.  (tramps'). — See  quots.  and 
SHIVERING  JEMMY. 

1851-61.  MAVHEW,  Lonaon  Lab.,  I. 
262.  He  scraped  acquaintance  with  a 
1  school  of  SHALLOW  COVES  '  \  that  is,  men 
who  go  about  half-naked,  telling  frightful 
tales  about  shipwrecks,  hair-breadth  es- 
capes from  houses  on  fire,  and  such  like 
aqueous  and  igneous  calamities.  .  .  . 
People  got  '  fly '  to  the  SHALLOW  BRIGADE, 
so  Peter  came  up  to  London  to  '  try  his 
hand  at  something  else.' 

1869.  GREENWOOD,  Seven  Curses  of 
London.  The  SHALLER,  or  more  properly 
SHALLOW  DODGE,  is  for  a  beggar  to  make 
capital  of  his  rags,  and  a  disgusting  con- 
dition of  semi-nudity.  ...  A  pouncing  of 
the  exposed  parts  with  common  powder 
blue  is  found  to  heighten  the  frost-bitten 
effect. 

1877.  TURNER,  Vagrants,  &*c.,  641. 
I  have  been  a  SHALLOW-COVE,  also  a  high- 
flyer. 

1893.  Ripon  Chronicle,  23  Aug.  '  A 
Queer  Life  Story.'  Billy  Brum  has  been 
RUNNING  SHALLOW  at  intervals  in  these 
parts  for  the  past  five  years.  By  RUNNING 
SHALLOW  I  mean  that  he  never  wears 
either  boots,  coat,  or  hat,  even  in  the 
depths  of  the  most  dismal  winter. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Signor  Lipj>o,  x. 
I  only  DO  THE  SHALLOW  on  the  pinch.  I 
shall  have  to  come  back  to  the  nigger  busi- 
ness, its  more  respectable.  Ibid. ,  x.  One 
thing,  I  always  go  very  'spectable — clean 
collar,  clean  scarf,  clean  boots.  It's  far 
better  to  go  that  way  than  SHALLOW. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  240.  One 
day  he  is  a  SHALLOW-COVE,  or  '  Shivering 
Jimmy.' 

To  LIVE  SHALLOW,  verb.  phr. 
(thieves').— To  live  quietly  and  in 
retirement,  as  when  WANTED 

(q.V.) 

SHAM,  subs.  adj.  and  verb.  (old). 
— Generic  for  false.  As  subs.  — 
(i)  a  cheat,  a  trick  ;  (2)  a  substi- 
tute, as  a  pillow-sham,  false 
sleeves,  fronts,  or  guffs.  As  adj. 


—  spurious,  counterfeit.     As  verb. 

—  to  cheat ;  to  feign :  also  TO  CUT 
A  SHAM  = '  to  play  a  rogue's  Trick ' 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE)  ;  SHAMOCRAT 
=  one  who  apes  rank  or  wealth. 

1677.  WYCHERLEY,  Plain  Dealer, 
iii.  i.  SHAMMING  is  telling  you  an  insipid 
dull  Lie  with  a  dull  Face,  which  the  sly 
Wag  the  Author  only  laughs  at  himself; 
and,  making  himself  believe  'tis  a  good 
Jest,  puts  the  SHAM  only  upon  himself. 

1680.  PRIOR,  To  Fleet-wood  Shepherd. 
Your  Wits  that  fleer  and  SHAM,  Down  from 
Don  Quixote  to  Tom  Tram. 

1700.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  the  World, 
v.  10.  That  SHAM  is  too  gross  to  pass  on 
me!  Ibid.,  \.  i.  The  discovery  of  your 
SHAM  addresses  to  her,  to  Conceal  your 
Love  to  her  Niece,  has  provok'd  this 
Separation. 

1722.  STBELE,  Conscious  Lovers,  i. 
Wearing  SHAMS  to  make  linen  last  clean  a 
fortnight. 

1740.  NORTH,  Examen,  231.  The 
word  SHAM  is  true  cant  of  the  Newmarket 
breed.  It  is  contracted  of  '  ashamed.'  The 
native  signification  is  a  town  lady  of  diver- 
sion in  country  maid's  cloaths,  who  to 
make  good  her  disguise,  pretends  to  be  so 
'SHAM'D.'  Thence  it  became  proverbial 
...  so  annex'd  to  a  plot  it  means  one  that 
is  fictitious  and  untrue. 

1778.  SHERIDAN,  The  Rivals,  i.  i. 
Why  does  your  master  pass  only  for 
ensign  ? — now  if  he  had  SHAMM'D  general. 

1790.  FRANKLIN,  Auto.,  257.  He 
stayed  some  time  to  exercise  the  men  in 
SHAM  attacks  upon  SHAM  forts. 

1813.  AUBREY, Lives,  'Henry  Blount.' 
Two  young  gent,  that  heard  Sr.  H.  tell 
this  SHAM  .  .  .  rode  the  next  day  to  St. 
Albans  to  enquire  .  .  .  'twas  altogether 
false. 

1817.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  xxxvii.  He 
SHAMMED  ill,  and  his  death  was  given 
publicly  out  in  the  French  papers. 

3.    (common).  —  Champagne ; 

BOY  (q.V.}  :  also  SHAMMY. 

1849.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis,  iv. 
A  bottle  of  sherry,  a  bottle  of  SHAM,  a 
bottle  of  port  and  a  shass  caffy,  it  ain't  so 
bad,  hay,  Pen.  ? 

See  ABRAHAM  ;  SNITE. 


Shamble. 


156 


Shaney. 


SHAMBLE,  subs,  (old).— In  pi.  = 
the  legs.  Whence  SHAKE  YOUR 
SHAMBLES  —  Begone  !  As  verb. 
—  '  to  walk  awkwardly' ;  SHAM- 
BLE-LEGGED =  shuffling  (B.  E. 
and  GROSE). 

SHAM  BROGUE,  subs.  (old).  — The 
Shamrock.  Also  SHAMROOT. 

1613.  WITHERS,  Abuses  Strict  and 
Whipt,  71.  And  for  my  cloatbing  in  a 
mantle  goe,  And  feed  on  SHAM-ROOTS  as 
the  Irish  doe. 

1712.  Spectator,  455.  I  could  easily 
observe  ...  the  Spanish  myrtle,  the  Eng- 
lish oak,  the  Scotch  thistle,  the  Irish  SHAM- 
BROGUE. 

SHAMELESS,  subs,  (old:  B.  E., 
^.1696). — '  A  bold  forward  Blade.' 

SHAM-LEGGER,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  man  offering  worthless 
stuff  for  sale  cheap. 

SHAM  MOCK,  verb.  (old). — To  LOAF 
(?.».). 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  184.  Pox 
take  you  both  for  a  couple  of  SHAMMOCKING 
rascals. 

SHAMROCK.  To  DROWN  THE 
SHAMROCK,  verb.  phr.  (Irish). — 
To  go  drinking  on  St.  Patrick's 
Day  (Mar.  I7th). 

1888.  D.  Telegraph,  22  Mar.  An 
Irishman  of  strong  national  instincts,  and 
resident,  or  'commorant,'  in  Edinburgh, 
on  Saturday  last  resolved  to  DROWN  THE 
SHAMROCK  in  the  orthodox  fashion. 

SHAN(orSHAND),  subs.  (Old  Cant). 
. — Base  coin.  Hence  as  adj.  = 
worthless  (GROSE  and  VAUX). 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxxii. 
'  I  doubt  Glossin  will  prove  but  SHAND* 
after  a',  mistress,'  said  Jabot,  as  he  passed 
through  the  little  lobby  beside  the  bar ; 
1  but  this  is  a  gude  half-crown  ony  way.' 
*  [Cant  expression  for  base  coin.] 


SHANDRYDAN  (or  SHANDRY),  subs. 
(Irish).  —  A  light  two  -  wheeled, 
one-horsed  cart  :  hence,  any  old 
ricketty  trap. 

1843.  THACKERAY,  Irish  Sketch  Book^ 
xii.  Where  all  the  vehicles,  the  cars, 
barouches  and  SHANDRYDANS,  the  carts, 
the  horse-  and  donkey-men  could  have 
found  stable  and  shelter,  who  can  tell  ? 

1861.  Cornhill  Ma?.,  v.  440.  An 
ancient  rickety-looking  vehicle  of  the  kind 
once  known  as  SHANDRYDAN. 

1863.  GASKELL,  Sylvia's  Lovers, 
xxix.  I  ha'  been  to  engage  a  SHANDRY 
this  very  morn. 

1876.  BRADDO  -,  Joshua  Haggard, 
iii.  An  ancient  white  pony,  which  the 
Squire  drove  himself  in  a  SHANDRYDAN 
of  the  chaise  tribe,  completed  the  Pentreath 
stud. 

1886.  D.  Telegraph,  10  Sep.  Until 
an  immense  procession  of  buggies,  wagon- 
nettes,  chaise  carts,  and  SHANDRYDANS 
had  rattled  by. 

1896.  SALA,  London  Up-to-date,  43. 
I  have  done  the  Derby  ...  in  every  style 
—gigs,  landaus,  barouches,  hansoms, 

SHANDRYDANS.  .  .  . 

SHANDY-GAFF,  subs  phr.  (common). 
—  Beer  and  ginger-beer. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  V.erd.  Green,  i.  118. 
'  He  taught  me  to  prill  a  devil.'  '  Grill  a 
devil,'  groaned  Miss  Virginia.  '  And  to 
make  SHANDY-GAFF  and  sherry  cobbler, 
and  brew  bishop  and  egg  flip  :  oh,  its 
capital  1  ' 

1864  Eton  Sc/tool  Days}  v.  Chorley 
took  him  up  the  river  and  inducted  him 
into  the  mysteries  of  SHANDY-GAFF  at 
Surly. 

1871.  Chambers'   Journal,    9  Dec., 
771.      I    am    sitting    with    him  drinking 

SHANDY-GAFF. 

1872.  Fun,     10    Aug.      'A    Ditton 
Ditty.'    So  let  us  quaff  Our  SHANDY-GAKF. 

1880.  MORTIMER  COLLINS,  Thoughts 
in  my  Garden,  ii.  198.  They  bear  about 
the  same  resemblance  to  real  literature  as 
SHANDY-GAFF  to  dry  champagne. 

SHANEY  (or  SHANNY),J«^.  (com- 
mon).— A  fool. 


BLOOMFIELD,  The  Horkey. 
And  out  ran  every  soul  beside,  A  SHANNY- 
pated  crew, 


Shanghai. 


157 


Shank. 


SHANGHAI,  subs.  (American). —  I. 
A  tall  dandy  [BARTLETT  :  In 
allusion  to  the  long-legged  fowls 
fiom  Shanghai,  all  the  rage  a  few 
years  ago]. 

1859.  Gt.  Republic  Mag.,  Jan.,  70. 
I  degenerated  into  a  fop,  and  became  a 
SHANGHAI  of  the  most  exotic  breed. 

2.  (Australian). —  A  catapult: 
also  as  verb. 

3.  (American).—  See  quot. 

1880.  Scribner's  Mag.,  Jan.,  365. 
The  SHANGHAI  is  the  glaring  daub  re- 
quired  by  some  frame-makers  for  cheap 
auctions.  They  are  turned  out  at  so  much 
by  the  day's  labor,  or  at  from  12  dollars  to 
24  dollars  a  dozen,  by  the  piece.  All  the 
skies  are  painted  at  once,  then  all  the  fore- 
grounds. Sometimes  the  patterns  are 
stenciled.  The  dealer  attaches  the  semb- 
lance of  some  well-known  name,  of  which 
there  are  several,  and  without  initials. 

3.     (American).  —  See    quot. 
1871. 

1871.  DE  VERB,  Americanisms,  347. 
SHANGHAI  applied  to  sailors  refers  not  to 
the  bird,  but,  according  to  a  seaman's 
statement,  to  the  town  of  Shanghai,  where 
the  process  so  called  is  said  to  have  been 
once  very  common.  The  latter  consists  in 
drugging  the  unlucky  sailor,  when  he 
enjoys  himself  after  a  long  cruise,  on  shore, 
and  carrying  him,  while  in  a  state  of  in- 
sensibility, to  a  vessel  about  to  depart, 
where  he  finds  himself  upon  his  recovery, 
entered  in  all  forms  on  the  book. 

1871.  New  York  Tribune,  i  Mar. 
They  would  have  been  drugged,  SHANG- 
HAIED, and  taken  away  from  all  means  of 
making  complaint. 

SHANK,  subs.  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). — 
In//.  =  the  legs;  GAMS  (q.v.). 

TO  SHANK  IT  (or  TO  RIDE 
SHANKS'S  MARE,  or  NAG)  =  (l) 

to  go  on  foot  or  by  the  MARYLE- 
BONE  STAGE  (q.v.) :  and  (2)  to 
leave  without  ceremony  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE). 

1302-11.  Political  Song's  [Camden 
Soc.]  223.  He  [King  Edward  i]  with  the 
longe  SHONKES. 


(£1529.  SKELTON  [DvcE,  Works,  i. 
117].  Your  wynde  schakyn  SHANKKES 
.  .  .  crokyd  as  a  camoke.  Ibid.  i63 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.  i.  371.  The  word 
SHANK  had  not  then  the  lowering  idea  of 
our  days  ;  it  is  applied  to  the  limbs  of 
Christ  on  the  cross]. 

</.i55S.  LYNDSAY,  Thrie  Estaitit 
[E.E.T.S.  469). 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Gantbe,  legges  or  SHANKES. 

1600.  SHAKESPEARE,  As  You  Like 
It,  ii.  7,  161.  His  youthful  hose,  well 
saved,  a  world  too  wide,  For  his  skrunk 

SHANK. 

1635.  [GLAPTHORNE],  Lady  Mother 
BULLEN'S,  Old  Plays,  ii.  131].  But  come, 
stir  your  SHANKS  nimbly  or  lie  hough  ye. 

1785.  BURNS,  Epistle  to  J.  Lapraik, 
Postcript.  The  youngsters  took  the  sands 
Wi'  nimble  SHANKS. 

1818.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  xxii.  Sitting 
on  the  bed,  to  rest  his  SHANKS,  as  he  was 
pleased  to  express  the  accommodation 
which  that  posture  afforded  him. 

1843.  THACKERAY,  Irish  Sketch 
Book,  xvi.  Along  the  banks  you  see  all 
sorts  of  strange  figures  washing  all  sorts  of 
wonderful  rags,  with  red  petticoats  and 
redder  SHANKS  standing  in  the  stream. 

1847.  PORTER,  Quarter  Race,  90. 
Dick  and  Jule  had  to  ride  SHANKS'  MAR'. 

1853.     KINGSLEY,  Westward  Ho,  xv. 

I  am  away  to  London  town  to  speak  to 

Mr.    Frank!!      "To   London!  how   wilt 

.get  there?"     "On  SHANKS  HIS  MARE," 

said  Jack,  pointing  to  his  bandy  legs. 

1857.  HOOD,  Pen  and  Pencil  PiC' 
tures,  118.  Three  pairs  of  woollen  socks 
.  .  .  will  cherish  thy  lean  SHANKS,  old 
fellow  ! 

1885.  Chambers'  Journal,  2  May, 
287.  Your  true  swagsman  detests  the 
sight  of  a  horse  .  .  .  give  him  SHANKS' 
MARE. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  9  Jan.  The 
distance  had  choked  off  those  whose  only 
mode  of  locomotion  was  SHANKS'S  MARE. 

iSgr.  RUSSELL,  Ocean  Tragedy,  194. 
I  could  see  his  naked  yellow  SHANKS. 

1891.  Globe,  5  June,  3,  3.  People 
would  be  deprived  of  their  habitual  method 
of  locomotion.  Some  would  solve  the 
difficulty  by  staying  at  home.  Others 
would  resort  to  SHANKS'S  PONY  ;  and  the 
minority  to  cabs. 


Shanker. 


158 


Shanty. 


1901.  D.  Telegraph,  28  Oct.,  10,  5. 
He  was  much  more  interested  in  two  old- 
fashioned  animals,  the  horse  and  another 
strange  animal  enjoying  the  name — the 
origin  of  which  he  had  never  yet  been  able 
to  discover — ofsHANKs's  PONY. 

2.    (colloquial). — The  fag  end. 

1880.  HARRIS,  Uncle  Remus,  xv. 
Bimeby,  to'rds  de  SHANK  er  de  evenin". 

1888.  PATON,  Down  the  Islands. 
The  old  Kentuckian  who  in  the  SHANKS 
of  the  evening  was  wont  to  maintain  there 
was  no  such  thing  as  bad  Kentucky 
whiskey. 

SHANKER,  subs,  (venery).  —  '  A 
little  Scab  or  Pox  on  the  Nut 
or  Glans  of  the  Yard.'  (B.  E.). 

1660.  Old  Ballad,  '  An  Hist.  Ballad  ' 
[Ane  Pleasant  Garden  (c.iSoo)].  A 
SHANKER'S  a  damn'd  loveing  thing  where 
it  seizes. 

1731.  SWIFT,  Young:  Nymph  Going 
to  Bed.  With  gentlest  touch  she  next 
explores  Her  SHANKERS,  issues,  running 
sores. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Homer  Burlesque, 
491.  But  Ajax  gave  him  two  such  span- 
kers, They  smarted  worse  than  nodes  and 

SHANKERS. 

SHANNON.  '  It  is  said,  persons 
dipped  in  that  river  are  perfectly 
and  for  ever  cured  of  bashfulness' 
(GROSK). 

SHANT,  subs,  (tramps').— A  quart; 
a  pot :  e.g.,  SHANT  OF  GATTER 
=  a  pot  of  beer.  Also  SHANTY. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.  \. 
232.  They  have  a  SHANT  of  gatter  at  the 
nearest  boozing  ken. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo.  v.  I  should 
jusf  think  you  would  beg  my  pardon, 
and  to  show  you  mean  it  stand  a  couple  of 
SHANTS  of  bevarly  to  square  the  boys. 

SHA'N'T,  verb,  (colloquial). — Shall 
not.  Now  WE  SHAN'T  BE  LONG 
=  It's  all  right :  a  general  note 
of  satisfaction  or  agreement  :  a 
street  catch  of  the  late  nineties. 

1897.  MAUGHAM,  Liza  of  Lambeth, 
v.  Now  WE  SHAN'T  BE  LONG  1  she  re- 
marked. 


SHANTY,  subs,  (common). — I.  A 
rough  and  tumble  hut ;  2.  (Aus- 
tralian and  showmen's)  a  public- 
house  ;  (3)  a  brothel  (sailors') ; 
and  (4)  a  quart ;  whence  (5)  beer 
money.  Also  as  verb.  =  (i)  to 
dwell  in  a  hut,  and  (2)  to  take 
shelter. 

1848.  COOPER,  Oak  Openings,  26. 
This  was  the  second  season  that  le  Bour- 
don had  occupied  'Castle  Meal,'  as  he 
himself  called  the  SHANTY. 

1857.  HAMMOND,  Wild  Northern 
Scenes,  197.  Mark  Shuff  and  a  friend 
.  .  .  SHANTIED  on  the  outlet,  just  at  the 
foot  of  Tupper's  Lake.  Ibid.  212.  We 
SHANTIED  on  the  Ohio. 

£.1859.  New  York  Courier  [BART- 
LETT].  The  sportsmen  .  .  .  brace  them- 
selves  to  meet  the  rude  exigencies  of  a 
tramp  and  SHANTEEING  OUT  for  a  few 
days. 

1861.  KINGSLEY,  Ravenshoe,  liv. 
There  was  weeping  in  the  reed-thatched 
hovels  of  the  Don,  and  in  the  mud-built 
SHANTIES  of  the  Dnieper. 

1878.  Century  Mag.t  Dec.,  510. 
These  droll  and  dirty  congeries  of  SHAN- 
TIES and  shacks. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  '  He  Slum- 
bered' ['Pomes,'  n8J.  She  scooted  from 
the  SHANTY. 

1887.  All  Year  Round,  30  July,  67. 
Inns  do  not  exist  in  Australia,  every  house 
of  refreshment  is  a  '  hotel.'  It  may  be 
only  a  wooden  SHANTY  up-country. 

1889.  H ADDON  CHAMBERS,  In  Aus~ 
tralian  Wilds,  53.    I  knew  that  there  was 
no  public  house  or  SHANTY  within  twelve 
miles. 

1890.  DILKE,  Prob,  Greater  Britain, 
Hi.  i.     Kimberley  is  still  a  huge  aggrega- 
tion of  SHANTIES,  traversed  by  tramways, 
and  lit  by  electric  light. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet 
heart,  34.     "  Yes  ;  and  did  you  run  that 
SHANTY     long,     Stringy  ? "       For    three 
months  and  more,  and  did  a  roaring  trade 
besides. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  3. 
A  sand-parlour'd  SHANTY. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  v.  Any 
SHANTY  in  your  sky-rocket?  Ibid.,  xiv. 
Then  we  went  out  for  a  SHANTY,  and 
when  we  came  back  Blower  and  Bottlenose 
were  clearing  up. 


Shop. 


159 


Shappo. 


2.  See  CHANTEY. 

SHAP,  subs,  (venery).  —  i.  The 
female  pudendum  :  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE. Also  SHAPE. 

[?].  Owayne  Myles  [MS.  Cott. 
Calig.  A  ii.  pi].  And  some  were  yn  to 
SHAPPUS  And  some  were  vp  to  the 
pappus. 

[  ?  ].  Relig.  Anti%.,  ii.  20.  Semera- 
mis  hir  name  .  .  .  Which  wold  no  man 
in  eny  wyse  denye,  But  wyth  her  croked 
SHAP  encreece  and  multeply. 

^.1529.  SKELTON,  Elynour  Rummyng , 
492.  An  old  rybybe  .  .  .  had  broken  her 
shyn  At  the  the  threshold  comying  in,  And 
fell  so  wyde  open  That  one  myght  see  her 
token  .  .  .  Said  Elynour  Rummyng  .  .  . 
Fy,  couer  thy  SHAP  With  sum  flyp  flap. 

1530.  PALSGRAVE,  Lang.  Francoyse, 
fol.  xxvi.  Count,  a  womans  SHAPPE,  con. 

1538.  ELYOT,  Diet. ,  s.v.  Hippo-mares. 
The  SHAPE  of  a  mare. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Arch.  Words, 
s.v.  SHAPE.  The  A.S.  gesceapu,  verenda, 
pudenda  .  .  .  Still  in  common  use  in  Lin- 
colnshire, used  especially  in  the  case  of 
infants  and  children. 

2.  (Western    American). — See 
quot. 

1885.  STAVELY  HILL,  From  Home 
to  Home.  A  pair  of  SHAPS,  or  leather 
overalls,  with  tags  and  fringes  down  the 
seams. 

SHAPE,  subs,  (vulgar). — In//.  =(i) 
an  ill-made  man  (B.  E.),  and  (2) 
a  tight-laced  girl  (HALLIWELL). 
Hence  TO  SHOW  ONE'S  SHAPE  = 
(i)  to  strip  :  specifically  (old)  'TO 
PEEL  (q.v.)  at  the  whipping-post* 
(GROSE),  and  (2)  to  turnaboutand 
march  off;  STUCK  ON  ONE'S  SHAPE 
=  pleased  with  one's  appearance  ; 
'  There's  a  SHAPE  for  you '  =  an 
ironical  comment  on  a  skeleton- 
like  person  or  animal — a  RACK- 
OF-BONES  (q.V.)  J  TO  TRAVEL 

ON  ONE'S  SHAPE  =  to  swindle, 
to  live  by  one's  appearance ; 
TO  SPOIL  ONE'S  SHAPE  = 
to  be  got  with  child  ;  SHAPE- 
SMITH  =  a  stay-maker  j  IN  GOOD 


SHAPE  =  quite  correct  ;  TO  CUT 
UP  (or  SHOW)  ONE'S  SHAPE  = 
to  frolic. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
[Works  (1725),  74].  My  son's  so  big 
(which  rarely  falls)  About  his  -  ,  and 
Genitals,  That  I  am  half  afraid  lest  he 
Should  chance  to  SPOIL  her  Majesty. 


</.i704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  97.  The 
French  king  who  had  SPOIL'D  THE  SHAPE 
.  .  .  of  several  mistresses  .  .  .  had  a  mind 
to  do  the  same  by  me. 

1715.  GARTH,  Claremont,  98.  No 
SHAPE-SMITH  set  up  shop  and  drove  a 
trade  To  mend  the  work  wise  Providence 
had  made. 


1896.      CRANE,   Maggie,   vL 
Mag,  I'm  stuck  on  yer  SHAPE. 


Say, 


Verb,  (colloquial).  —  To    turn 
out ;  to  behave. 

1369.  CHAUCER,  Troilus,  ii.  61.  So 
SHOP  it  that  hym  61  that  day  a  tene  In  love, 
for  whiche  in  wo  to  bedde  he  wente. 

1605.  SHAKSPEARE,  Cymbeline,  v.  5, 
346.  Their  dear  loss,  The  more  of  you 
'twas  felt,  the  more  it  SHAPED  Unto  my 
end  of  stealing  them. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xxxvii.  '  Well,  I'm  in  your  power, 
now,'  says  he,  '  let's  see  how  you'll  SHAPE.' 
Ibid.,  xxii.  We  shall  have  to  SHAPE  after 
a  bit. 

1891.  GOULD,  Double  Event,  123.  I 
am  very  anxious  to  see  how  my  horse 

SHAPES. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  71. 
Briggs  or  no  Briggs  I  SHAPED  spiffin. 

1898.  GOULD,  Landed  at  Last,  v. 
'  He  SHAPES  as  well  as  ever '  .  .  .  '  Moves 
splendidly.' 

1902.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  7  Feb.,  i,  a. 
We  should  wait  to  see  how  he  SHAPED,  be- 
fore deciding  whether  he  was  a  personage 
to  be  encouraged  or  taught  his  place. 

1902.  DELANNOY,  £79,000,  xxvl 
How  do  you  SHAPE?  .  .  .  without  bed- 
clothes and  with  rodent  company  ?  or  will 
you  give  me  the  letter?  Ibid.,  xxix.  He 
seems  to  be  SHAPING  himself  for  a  straight 
jacket. 

SHAPPO,  subs.  (old). — A  hat,  'the 
newest  Cant,  Nab  being  very  old, 
and  grown  too  common '  (B.  E. , 
c.  1696) ;  also  SHAPPEAU,  SHOPPO, 
SHOPO,  SHAPO  [Fr.  chapeau\. 
L 


Shard. 


160 


Shark. 


SHARD,  To  TAKE  A  SHARD,  verb, 
phr.  (provincial). — To  get  tipsy  : 
see  SCREWED. 

SHARE,  subs.   (old). —  The  pubes. 

[  ?  ].  Ms.  Porkington,  10.  Sychone 
se  I  nevere  ere  Stondynge  opone  sen  ARE. 

1609.  HOLLAND, Amtnianus Mareell. 
[NARES].  Arrayed  from  the  heele  to  the 
SHARE  in  manner  of  a  nice  and  pretie 
page. 

1624.  BURROUGHS,  Method  of  Phy- 
sick  [NARES].  They  cannot  make  water, 
the  SHARE  becometh  hard,  and  hath 
vehement  pain. 

SHARE-PENNY,  subs.  phr.  (old).— 
A  miser  ;  a  SKINFLINT  (g.v.) 

1606.  Wily  Beguifd  [HAWKINS, 
Eng.  Drama,,  iii.  299].  I'll  go  near  to 
cozen  old  father  SHAREPENNY  of  his  daugh- 
ter. 

SHARGE,  verb,  (provincial). —  To 
copulate  :  see  GREENS  and  RIDE 
(HALLIWELL). 

SHARK,  subs,  and  verb,  (old).—  i. 
A  greedy  adventurer  ;  a  swindler  : 
also  SHARKER  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 
As  verb,  (or  TO  LIVE  ON  THE 
SHARK)  =  to  live  by  roguery  or 
thieving.  Whence  SH ARK-GULL  = 

a     FLAT -CATCHER     (g.V.)  ;       TO 

SHARK  UP  — to  press,  to  enlist  on 
terms  of  piracy  ;  SHARKING  =  (i) 
roguery,  and  (2)  greedy,  tricky. 

1590.  SIR  THOMAS  MORE  [C-Li- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.  ii.  8].  There  are  the 
new  verbs  rooke  (plunder)  and  SHARKE 
(prey)]. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hamlet,  i.  i. 
Of  unimproved  mettle  hot  and  full,  Hath 
in  the  skirts  of  Norway,  here  and  there, 
SHARK'D  up  a  list  of  landless  resolutes  For 
food  and  diet. 

1599.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  Out  of  His 
Humour.  Characters  .  .  .  Shift.  A 
threadbare  SHARK  .  .  .  His  profession  is 
skeldring  and  odling.  Ibid.  (1609)  Silent 
Woman,  iv.  2.  A  very  SHARK  ;  he  set  me 
in  the  nick  t'other  night  at  Primero. 

1606-8.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCLER, 
Love's  Cure.  Dram.  Pers.  A  SHARKING, 
panderly  constable. 


1608.  DEKKER,  Belman  or  London 
[GROSART,    Works,   in.    162],    A  crue  of 
SHARKING  companions  (of  which  there  be 
sundry  consorts  lurking  about  the  suburbs 
of  this  City). 

1609.  ROWLANDS,  Knave  of  Clubs 
(Hunterian  Club's  Repr.,  1872),  10.     Two 
hungry  SHARKES  did  trauell  Paules,  Vntill 
their  guts  cride  out,  And  knew  not  how, 
with  both  their  wits,  To  bring  one  meale 
about. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May.Day,  ii.  (1874) 
288.  Though  y'are  sure  of  this  money 
again  at  my  hands,  yet  take  heed  how  this 
same  Lodovico  get  it  from  you,  he's  a  great 

SHARKER. 

1628.  EARLE,  Micro-cosmog.  14.  A 
SHARKE  is  one  whome  all  other  means 
haue  fayl'd,  and  hee  now  Hues  of  himselfe. 
Ibid.  [BLISS]  206  That  does  it  fair  and 
above-board,  without  legerdemain,  and 
neither  SHARKS  for  a  cup  or  a  reckoning. 


WOTTON,  Letter  to  M.  Vel- 
serus.  "A  dirty  SHARKER  about  the 
Romish  court,  who  only  scribbles  that  he 
may  dine." 

1653.  MTDDLETON,  Spanish  Gipsy, 
II.  i.  A  trade  brave  as  a  courtier's  ;  for 
some  of  them  do  but  SHARK,  and  so  do  we. 

1678-1715.  SOUTH,  Sermons,  ii.  214. 
"  Wretches  who  live  UPON  THE  SHARK,  and 
other  men's  sins,  the  common  poisoners  of 
youth." 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod,  Random,  iii. 
We  returned  to  the  village,  my  uncle  mut- 
tering all  the  way  against  the  old  SHARK. 

1760.  JOHNSTON,  Chrysal,  i.  iv. 
Making  my  fortune  a  prey  to  every  SHARK- 
ING projector  who  flattered  my  vanity  with 
promises  of  success. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxx. 
'  We  want  our  goods,  which  we  have  been 
robbed  of  by  these  SHARKS,'  said  the  fellow. 

1857.  TROLLOPS,  Three  Clerks,  iii. 
He  expected  to  pay  £200  a  year  for  his 
board  and  lodging,  which  he  thought 
might  as  well  go  to  his  niece  as  to  some 
SHARK,  who  would  probably  starve  him. 

1891.  NEWMAN,  Scamping  Tricks, 
2.  Is  part  of  the  stock  of  such  rare  old 

SHARKS. 

1898.  NISBET,  Hagar,  8.  'You'd 
take  my  money  to  yourself,'  interrupted 
Dix  with  irony.  '  Not  if  I  know  it,  you 
SHARK  |  ' 


Sharp. 


161 


Sharp. 


2.  (old).  —  '  A  custom-house 
officer  or   tide-waiter'  (GROSE). 
Also  in//.  =  the  press-gang. 

1828.  DOUGLAS  JERROLD,  Ambrose 
Giminett,  i.  3.  Gil.  A  word  with  you — the 
SHARKS  are  out  to-night.  Label.  The 
SHARKS  ?  Gil.  Ay,  the  blue-jackets— the 
press-gang. 

3.  (old).  —  '  One  of  the  first 
order  of  pickpockets.     Bow  St. 
term,  A.D.  1785'  (GROSE). 

4.  (military). — A  recruit. 

5.  (American    College).  —  At 
Yale  =  reckless     absence    from 
college  duties  :    of  persons  and 
conduct. 

6.  (Western    American). —  A 
lean  hungry  hog  (BARTLETT). 

Verb,     (colloquial).  —  I.      To 
fawn  for  a  dinner. 

2.  See  subs. 

SHARP,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  swindler; 
'  one  that  lives  by  his  Witts  ' 
(B.E).  ;  a  ROOK  (q.v.)  :  the 
opposite  of  FLAT  (</.v.)  :  also 

SHARPER:    cf.   SHARKER  (GROSE 

and  VAUX).  As  verb.  =  to 
cheat  ;  SHARPING  (or  ON  THE 
SHARP)  suds,  and  adi.  =  swind- 
ling ;  SHARPER'S  TOOLS  =  (i) 
fools,  and  (2)  false  dice  (B.  E. 
and  GROSE).  See  BIBLE-SHARP  ; 
FLATS-AND-SHARPS. 

1688.  SHADWELL,  Squire  of  Alsatia 
[Works  (iT2o),  iv.  18].  '  Tatts  .  .  .  what's 
that?'  'The  tools  of  SHARPERS,  false 
dice.' 

1690.  DRYDEN,  Don  Sebastian,  Epi- 
logue, 1.  35.  All  these  young  SHARPERS 
would  my  grace  importune.  Ibid.  (1691), 
King  Arthur,  Prcl.  38.  Among  the  rest 
there  are  a  SHARPING  set  That  pray  for  us, 
and  yet  against  us  bet. 

1693.  CONGREVE,  Old  Batchelor, 
Dram.  Pers.  SHARPER. 

1706.  MRS.  CENTLIVRE,  Basset  Table, 
iv.  i.  But  if  he  has  got  the  knack  of 
winning  thus,  he  shall  SHARP  no  more 
here,  I  promise  him. 


1729.  GAY,  Polly,  iii.  5.  Death,  sir, 
I  won't  be  cheated.  Cul.  The  money  is 
mine.  D'you  take  me  for  a  SHARPER,  sir? 

1748.  SMOLLETT,    Rod.    Random, 
Iviiii.       Who    supported    myself   in    the 
appearance  of  a  gentleman  by  SHARPING 
and  other  infamous  practices. 

1749.  LUCAS,  Gamesters,  250.      She 
would  PLAY  altogether  ON  THE  SHARP. 

1768.  GOLDSMITH,  Good  Natured 
Man,  i.  How  can  I  be  proud  of  a  place 
in  a  heart,  where  every  SHARPER  and  cox- 
comb find  an  easy  entrance. 

1789.  GEO.  PARKER,  Life's  Painter, 
142.  SHARPS  .  .  .  This  term  is  applied 
to  SHARPERS  in  general. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  i.  ii. 
From  autumn  to  winter,  from  winter  to 
June,  The  "flat"  and  the  SHARP  must 
still  play  the  same  tune. 

1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford  (Ed. 
1854),  190.  '  They  are  both  gone  ON  THE 
SHARP  to-night,'  replied  the  old  lady. 

1837.  WARREN,  Diary  of  Physician, 
xi.  I  began  to  suspect  that  he  was  neither 
more  nor  less  than  a  systematic  London 
SHARPER— a  gamester— a  hanger-on  about 
town. 

1843.  DICKENS,  Martin  Chuzzlewit, 
xxxvii.  Tom's  evil  genius  did  not  .  .  . 
mark  him  out  as  the  prey  of  ...  those 
bloodless  SHARPERS. 

1849.  MACAULAY,  Hist,  oj  Eng., 
xviii.  The  crowd  of  pilferers,  ring-drop- 
pers, and  SHARPERS  who  infested  the 
capital. 

1861.  TROLLOPS,  Framley  Parson- 
age, xxxiii.  What  an  ass  I  have  been  to 
be  so  cozened  by  a  SHARPER. 

1872.  BESANT  AND  RICE,  R.  M. 
Mortiboy,  xxiv.  It  is  not  usual  to  see 
men  play  in  your  fashion.  You  have 

SHARPED  US,  sir— SHARPED  US.' 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  Beautiful  Drea- 
mer ['Pomes'  65].  The  SHARPS  tipped 
The  Lump,  and  left  Pip  in  the  lurch. 

2.  (old). — A  pointed  weapon  : 
a  sword  as  contrasted  with  a  foil. 

Joseph  of  A  rim.   [E.  E.  T.  S.  ], 

17.     Mony  swoughninge  lay  thorw  schin- 
dringe  ofscHARPE. 

1679.  BEHN,  Feigned  Curtizan,  iii. 
These  dangerous  SHARPS  I  never  lov'd, 


Sharp. 


162 


Sharp  Stick. 


1697.  COLLIER,  Essays,  '  Duelling.' 
If  butchers  had  but  the  manners  to  go  to 
SHARPS,  gentlemen  would  be  contented 
with  a  rubber  at  cuffs. 

1763.  FOOTE,  Mayor  o/Garratt,  ii. 
Why  lookye,  Major  Sturgeon,  I  don't  much 
care  for  your  poppers  and  SHARPS. 

3.  (American). — An  expert. 

e.i88g.  Scientific  Attter.  [Century]. 
One  entomological  SHARP,  who  is  spoken 
of  as  good  authority  estimates  the  annual 
loss  at  300,000,000  dols. 

Adj.  (B.  E.  c. 1 696,  and  GROSE). 
'  Subtil,  ready,  quick  or  nimble- 
witted,  forward,  of  lively  Appre- 
hension ;  also  Poor  and  Needy.' 

Adv.  (colloquial).  —  To  the 
moment :  e.g.  '  I'll  be  there  at 
five  o'clock  SHARP.' 

1847-8.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  fair, 
xxvii.  Captain  Osborne  .  .  .  will  bring 
him  to  the  .  .  .  mess  at  five  o'clock  SHARP. 

MR.  SHARP, phr.  (traders').— 
A  similar  expression  to  'TWO- 
PUN-TEN'  (^.z>.)>  to  signify  that 
a  customer  of  suspected  honesty 
is  about.  The  shopman  asks  one 
of  the  assistants,  in  a  voice  loud 
enough  to  be  generally  heard, 
1  Has  MR.  SHARP  come  in  yet  ? ' 
The  signal  is  at  once  understood, 
and  a  general  look-out  kept 
(HOTTEN). 

SHARP  AS  THE  CORNER  OF  A 
ROUND  TABLE,  phr.  (common). 
— Stupid. 

SHARP'S  THE  WORD!  phr. 
(colloquial). —  I.  'Of  anyone 
very  attentive  to  his  own  interest, 
and  apt  to  take  all  advantage '  : 
sometimes  with  '  AND  QUICK'S 

THE     MOTION '     (GROSE)  ;      also 

(2)  a  call  to  brisk  movement,  or 
ready  obedience. 

1706.  VANBRUGH,  Mistake  [Old 
Dram.,  448].  SHARP'S  THE  WORD  [*.*., 
watchwordl. 


1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
iii.  Lady  Answ.  .  .  .  They  must  rise 
early  that  would  cheat  her  of  her  Money  ; 
SHARP'S  THE  WORD  with  her  ;  Diamonds 
cut  Diamonds. 

SHARP-AND-BLUNT,  subs.  phr. 
(rhyming).  —  The  female  puden- 
dum ;  the  CUNT  (?.z/.)  :  see 
MONOSYLLABLE. 

SHARP'S    ALLEY    BLOODWORMS, 

subs.  phr.  (old).  —  I.  Beef 
sausages  ;  and  (2)  black  puddings. 
[A  noted  abattoir  near  Smith- 
field.] 

SHARP-SET,  adj.  phr.  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE).  —  i.  Hungry;  (2)  hard- 
driven. 

1577.  STANIHURST,  Ireland,  19.  So 
SHARPE  SET  as  to  eat  fried  flies,  butterd 
bees,  stued  snailes. 

1579-80.  LYLY,  Euphuts  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,  i.  611.  He  has  the  following 
phrases  that  only  just  appeared  in  English 
.  .  .  Clounish,  SHARP  SET  .  .  .]. 


SOMERVILLE,  Officious  Messen- 
ger.  The  SHARP-SET  squire  resolves  at 
last,  Whate'er  befall  him,  not  to  fast. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  58.  My  appetite  was  SHARP-SET 
for  a  comfortable  meal. 

SHARPSHIN,    subs.    (American).  — 
The  smallest  quantity. 

1854.  KENNEDY,  Swallow  Barn  [Da 
VERB].  This  inconsiderable  claim  —  for  it 
is  not  the  value  of  a  SHARPSHIN. 


SHARPSHOOTER,  subs.  (American). 
— A  swift  clipper-built  schooner. 

See  DEVIL'S  SHARPSHOOTERS. 

SHARP  STICK,  subs.  phr.  (Ameri- 
can).— Persecution  ;  retribution. 

1856.  Western  Scenes  [Ds  VERB]. 
If  you  stay  much  longer,  the  old  man  will 
be  after  you  with  A  SHARP  STICK,  and  I 
don't  know  what  you'll  do  to  keep  him 
from  killing  you, 


Shatterbrain. 


163 


Shave. 


1871.  Trenton  State  Sentinel,  26 
May.  The  New  York  Tribune  is  still 
after  Senators  Carpenter,  Conkling,  and 
others,  with  a  VERY  SHARP  STICK,  for  their 
ridiculous  course  in  the  arrest  and  im- 
prisonment of  the  Tribune  correspondents, 
for  daring  to  be  true  to  the  profession. 

SHATTERBRAIN  (or  PATE),  subs. 
(colloquial). —  A  giddy  person  : 

SHATTERBRAINED   (or  FATED)  = 

heedless  ;  weak  in  intellect.  See 
SHITTERBRAIN  and  SHUTTLE- 
HEAD. 

SHAVE,  subs,  (common). — A  nar- 
row escape  ;  a  SQUEAK  (g.v.) : 
usually  with  *  close,'  '  near,'  &c. 
Whence  TO  MAKE  A  SHAVE  (or 
TO  SHAVE  THROUGH)  =  to  get 
through  4  by  the  skin  of  one's 
teeth.' 

1844.  Puck,  14.  Of  all  the  men  that 
with  me  read  There's  never  one  .  .  .  But 
got  thro',  if  he  made  a  SHAVE  on't. 

1860.  RUSSELL,  Diary  in  India,  xxi. 
'  By  Jove  !  that  was  a  near  SHAVE  ! '  .  .  . 
a  bullet  whistled  within  an  inch  of  our 
heads. 

1871.  Daily  News,  7  Mar.  In  those 
famous  telegrams  of  the  King  the  ex- 
pression,  "  Danke  nur  Gott ! "  means  "  It 
was  a  close  SHAVE  ! " 

1876.  BURNABY,  Ride  to  Khiva, 
Intro  :  I  had,  as  it  is  commonly  termed,  a 
much  closer  SHAVE  for  my  life  than  .  .  . 
even  if  I  had  been  taken  prisoner  by  the 
most  fanatical  Turkomans  in  Central  Asia. 

1885.  Field,  4  Ap.  It  was  a  des- 
perately close  SHAVE. 

1898.  GOULD,  Landed  at  Last,  vii. 
We've  had  some  narrow  squeaks  of  missing 
him  ...  [a]  narrow  SHAVE  was  at  York. 

2.  (common). — A  false  report ; 
a  practical  joke  ;   a  SELL  (q.v.) 

1854.  Morning'  Chronicle,  13  Dec. 
"According  to  camp  reports  or  camp 
SHAVES,  as  they  are  more  expressively 
termed." 

1860.  RUSSELL,  Diary  in  India,  xii. 
At  first  a  SHAVE  of  old  Smith,  then  a  well 
authenticated  report. 

1874.  Siliad,  29.  The  SHAVES  are 
many  ;  so  the  nests  of  mares. 


1882.  D.  Telegraph,  3  Oct.,  5,  7. 
Rumours  of  Turkish  troops  being  landed 
as  our  allies  adding  to  the  SHAVES  that 
hourly  came  out. 

1884.  G.  A.  SALA,  III.  Lon.  News, 
26  April,  391,  3.  The  legend  is  probably 
a  mere  barrack-room  SHAVE,  but  it  is 
worth  noting.  Ibid.  (1883),  Living  Lon- 
don, 115.  SHAVE  for  hoax  first  obtained 
currency  during  the  Crimean  War. 

3.  (Stock      Exchange).  —  A 
money  consideration  paid  for  the 
right  to  vary  a  contract,  by  ex- 
tension of  time  for  delivery  or 
payment,  &c. 

4.  (theatrical). — The    propor- 
tion of  the    receipts    paid  to  a 
travelling    company  by   a    local 
manager. 

See  SHAVER. 

Verb,  (old).— To  extort  ;  to 
strip;  to  cheat  (B.  E.).  Hence 
SHAVING  (or  SHAVERY)  =  (i) 
usury,  and  (2)  overcharge  (with 
drapers  called  SHAVING  THE 
LADIES).  Also  SHAVER  =  (i)  a 
cheat,  a  swindler  ;  (2)  a  banker, 
broker,  or  money-lender  given  to 
usury;  and  (3)  SHAVER  (q.v.)  : 
whence  SHAVING -SHOP  =  a 

WILD-CAT  BANK  (q.V.);  SHAVING- 
TERMS  =  make  all  you  can. 

1548.  LATIMER,  Sermons,  100  [OLi- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  515.  Latimer  coins 
SHAVERV,  something  like  slavery ;  to  ex- 
press thj  robbery  of  the  Church]. 

1603.  KNOLLES,  Hist.  Turks.  They 
fell  all  into  the  hands  of  the  cruel  mountain 
people,  living  for  the  most  part  by  theft, 
...  by  these  SHAVERS  the  Turks  were 
stript  of  all  they  had. 

1606.  DEKKER,  Seven  Deadly  Sinnes 
(ARBER'S)  40.  Then  haue  you  Brokers 
yat  SHAUE  poore  men  by  most  Jewish 
interest  .  .  .  Then  haue  you  the  SHAUING 
of  Fatherlesse  children,  and  of  widowes,  and 
that's  done  by  Executors.  Ibid.,-y).  The 
next  .  .  .  was  ...  a  SHAUER  of  yong 
gentlemen,  before  euer  a  haire  dare  peepe 
out  of  their  chinnes  ;  and  these  are  Vsurers. 

1638.  FORD,  Lady's  Trial,  ii.  i. 
Wboo  I  the  brace  are  flinch'd,  The  pair  of 
SHAVERS  are  sneak'd  from  us,  Don. 


Shaved. 


164 


Shaver. 


1850.  DICKENS,  David  Copperficld, 
xxii.  '  He  pays  well,  I  hope  '  .  .  .  rPays 
as  he  speaks  .  .  .  through  the  nose  .  .  . 
None  of  your  close  SHAVERS  the  Prince 
ain't." 

c.  1857.  Parody  on  Emerson's  Brahma, 
[BARTLETT].  If  the  stock  broker  thinks 
he  SHAVES,  Or  if  the  victim  think's  he's 
SHAVED,  Let  both  the  rascals  have  their 
say,  And  he  that's  cheated  let  him  pay. 

1862.  North  Am.   Rev.,  July,  113. 
This  Wall-Street  NOTE-SHAVING  life  is  a 
new  field,  a  very  peculiar  field. 

1863.  Once  a  Week,  viii.,  179.    We 
have  all  heard  for  instance  of  an  operation 
called  SHAVING  THE  LADIES,  yet  we  doubt 
if  any  lady  is  aware  of  the  very  clean 
SHAVE  she  is  constantly  undergoing. 

1864.  SALA  [Temple  Bar,   Dec.,  40]. 
He  is  as  dextrous    as  a   Regent    Street 
counter-jumper  in  the  questionable  art  of 

SHAVING  THE   LADIES. 

£.1870..  Life  in  New  York  [BARTLETT]. 
Make  your  money  by  SHAVING  notes  or 
stock-jobbing,  and  every  door  is  thrown 
open  ;  make  the  same  amount  by  selling 
Indian  candy,  and  the  cold  shoulder  is 
turned  upon  you. 

1871.  D.  Telegraph,  6  Oct.  'Official 
Corruption  in  America.'  Tax-gatherers, 
brokers,  SHAVERS,  &c.,  .  .  .  pets  of  the 
Treasury. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xiv.  What 
wages?  says  I.  SHAVING  TERMS,  SHAV- 
ING TERMS,  my  boy,  says  he. 

SHAVED,  adj.  (common). — Drunk  : 
see  SCREWED. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  i  Hen.  IV.,  iii. 
2.  Bardolph  was  SHAVED  .  .  .  and  I'll  be 
sworn  my  pocket  was  picked. 

1834.  Atlantic  Club-look,  i.  138. 
When  I  met  him,  he  was  about— yes— just 

about  HALF  SHAVED. 

1837-40.  HALIBURTON,  Clockmake* 
(1862),  102.  They  remind  me  of  Commo- 
dore Trip.  When  he  was  about  HALF- 
SHAVED  he  thought  everybody  drunk  but 
himself. 


SHAVELING  (or  SHORLING),  subs. 
(old). — i.  A  monk :  cf.  BEARD- 
LING.  Also  (2)  see  SHAVER. 

^.1563.  BALE,  Image  of  Both  Churches, 
xvii.  6.  This  Babylonish  whore,  or  dis- 
guised synagogue  of  SHORLINGS,  &c. 


1577.  KENDALL,  Epigrammes 
[NARES].  Wouldst  knowe  the  cause  why 
Ponticus  Abroade  she  doeth  not  rome  ?  It 
is  her  use  these  SHAVELYNGS  still  With  her 
to  have  at  home. 

1601.  HEYWOOD,  Death  Rob.,  Earl 
of  Huntingdon,  F%.  Through  that  lewd 
SHAVELING  will  her  shame  be  wrought. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Epig.,  i.  Curse, 
exorcise  with  beads,  with  booke  and  bell, 

Polluted  SHAVELINGS. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  11,  xxx. 
[Note].  Pope  Alexander  VI.  who  was 
ras  [A  SHAVELING]  was  poisoned  by 
another  ras  [A  SHAVELING]  with  rat's 'bane. 

^.1657.  J.  BRADFORD,  Works  [Parker 
Soc.  (1858)],  ii.  276.  That  is  the  preroga- 
tive of  the  priests  and  shaven  SHORLINGS. 
Ibid.,  291.  No  matter  ...  so  thou  have 
the  favour  of  the  pope  and  his  SHAVELINGS. 

1694.  MOTTEUX,  Rabelais,  iv.  45. 
About  him  stood  three  priests,  true  SHAVE- 
LINGS, clean  shorn  and  polled. 

1767.  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy, 
vii.  16.  A  poor  soldier  shows  you  his  leg, 
or  a  SHAVELING  his  box. 

^.1859.  MACAULAY,  Moncontour. 
Alas  !  we  must  leave  thee,  dear  desolate 
home,  To  the  spearmen  of  Uri,  the  SHAVE- 
LINGS of  Rome. 

1883.  GREEN,  Cong,  of  England,  ii. 
63.  Houses  guarded  only  by  priests  and 
SHAVELINGS,  who  dared  not  draw  sword. 

SHAVER,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  fellow  ; 
a  party  :  spec,  (modern)  =  a  more 
or  less  precocious  youngster  (B.E., 
MARTIN,  and  GROSE)  ;  (2)  a 
child,  but  see  quot.  1664.  Also 
SHAVELING  and  SHAVE,  verb. 

1586.  MARLOWE,  Jew  of  Malta,  iii. 
3.  Bar.  Let  me  see,  sirrah,  are  you  not 
an  old  SHAVER  ?  Slave.  Alas,  sir  !  I 
am  a  very  youth. 

c.i597.  Wily  Beguiled  [HAWKINS, 
Eng.  Drama,  in.  376].  If  he  had  not 
been  a  merry  SHAVER,  I  would  never  have 
had  him. 

1630.  CRIMSALL,  Kind  -  Heartea 
Creature  \_Rox.  Ball.  (Brit.  Mus.)  iii.  166]. 
This  bonny  Lass  had  caught  a  clap  It 
seems  by  some  young  SHAUER. 

1635.  CRANLEY,  Amanda  [NARES]. 
Thou  art  a  hackney,  that  hast  off  beene 
tride,  And  art  not  coy  to  grant  him  such 
a  favour,  To  try  the  courage  of  so  .young 
a  SHAVER. 


Shaver. 


Shears. 


1654.  WEBSTER,  Appius  and  Vir- 
ginia,   u.    2.      Was't    you,    my    nimble 
SHAVER    that    would    whet    Your  sword 
'gainst  your  commander's  throat? 

1655.  Hist,  of  Francion    [NARES]. 
There     were     some     cunning     SHAVERS 
amongst  us,  who  were  very  well  verst  in 
the  art  of  picking  locks. 

1664.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie  (ist 
ed.),  62.  And  said,  My  Mother's  a  mad 
SHAVER,  No  man  alive  knows  where  to 
have  her. 

^.1685.  Broadside  Ballad,  '  The  Lon- 
don Lasses  Folly  \  (Pepys  Ball.  (Bodleian) 
iii.  236].  Now  will  I  ramble  up  and  down 
to  find  out  this  young  SHAVER. 

1698.  FARQUHAR,  Love  and  a  Bottle, 
iii.  r.  Who  wou'd  imagine  now,  that  this 
young  SHAVER  cou'd  dream  of  a  woman 
so  soon  ? 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random,  ix. 
He  drew  a  pistol,  and  fired  it  at  the  un- 
fortunate SHAVER,  who  fell  flat  on  the 
ground  without  speaking  one  word. 

</.i7o6.  BURNS,  A  Dream.  Funny, 
queer  Sir  John,  He  was  an  unco*  SHAVER, 
For  monie  a  day. 

1834.  SOUTHEY,  The  Doctor.  ^  No 
one  has  ever  given  him  credit  for  being  a 
cunning  SHAVER. 

1836.  SCOTT,  Cruise  of  Midge,  3. 
A  sharpish  sort  of  a  SHAVER.    Ibid.    Tom 
Cringle's  Log  (1836),  x.   A  smart  dandified 

SHAVER. 

1837.  BARHAM.     Ingoldsby  Legends 
(i86a),  315.    And  all  for  a  "  shrimp  "  not 
as  high  as  my  hat — A  little  contemptible 
SHAVER  like  that. 

1843.  DICKENS,  Martin  Chuzzlewit, 
xxxiii.  323.  '  Not  these,'  he  added,  looking 
down  upon  the  boys,  '  ain't  them  two 
young  SHAVERS  as  was  so  familiar  to  me.' 

1854.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  General 
Bounce,  xiv.  The  very  youngest  of  the 
SHAVELINGS  who  aspire  to  dandyism  call 
him  "Buttercup"  to  his  face. 

1858.  G.  ELIOT,  Mr.  Gilfifs  Love- 
Story,  i.  Mr.  Gilfil  called  it  his  wonderful 
pocket,  because,  as  be  delighted  to  tell  the 
young  SHAVERS  and  "  two-shoes  "... 
whenever  he  put  pennies  into  it,  they 
turned  into  sugar-plums  or  gingerbread, 
or  some  other  nice  thing. 

1874.  WOOD,  Johnny  Ludlow,  i  S. 
25.  The  two  children  (little  SHAVERS  in 
petticoats)  set  up  a  roar  in  court. 

1889.  Time,  Aug.,  153.  The  con- 
temptible little  SHAVER. 


1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xvi.  Well 
to  see  this  young  SHAVER  pilot  your  horse 
to  the  post  was  a  treat. 

2.  (common). — A  short  jacket ; 

a  BUM-PERISHER  (q.V.) 

3.  See  SHAVE. 

SHAVING  -  BRUSH,  subs.  pkt. 
(venery).  —  The  female  pubic 
hair :  see  FLEECE  and  LATHER. 

SHAVINGS,  subs.  (old). — *  The  clip- 
pings of  money  '(B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

SHAY,  subs,  (common). — A  chaise. 

1840.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  xxxi. 
When  I  puts  myself  out  of  the  way  To 
obleedge  you  with  a  SHAY. 

SHE,  subs,  (once  literary:  now 
vulgar). — A  woman  :  also  SHK- 
ONE  :  cf.  HE  =  a  man.  Hence  SHE- 
HOUSE  (GROSE)  =  a  house  under 
petticoat  rule  ;  SHE-SCHOOL  =  a 
girls'  school. 

i6oa.  SHAKSPEARE,  Twelfth  Night, 
'•  5t  259-  Lady,  you  are  the  cruell'st  SHE 
alive.  Ibid.  (1605)  Cymbeline,  i.  3.  The 
SHES  of  Italy  should  not  betray  Mine 
interest  and  bis  honour. 

1648-55.  FULLER,  Ch.  Hist.,  vi.  297. 
Nunneries  also  were  good  SHEE-SCHOOLS. 

^.1650.  CRASH  AW,  To  his  Supposed 
Mistress.  That  not  impossible  SHE  That 
shall  command  my  heart  and  me. 

1704.  STEELE,  Lying  Lover,  i.  i.  I 
.  .  .  gaz'd  .  .  .  till  I  forgot  'twas  winter, 
so  many  pretty  SHE'S  marched  by  me. 

2.     (Charterhouse).  —  A  plum 
pudding :  also  SHEE  :  cf.  HE. 

SHEARER'S  JOY,  subs.  -thr.  (Aus- 
tralian).— Colonial  beer. 

1892.  GILBERT  PARKER,  Round  the 
Compass,  22.  It  was  the  habit  afterwards 
among  the  seven  to  say  that  the  officers  of 
the  Eliza  Jane  had  been  indulging  in 
SHEARER'S  JOY. 

SHEARS.  PAIR  OF  SHEARS,  subs, 
phr.  (old). — A  striking  likeness; 
little  or  no  difference  :  e.g.) 
*  There's  a  PAIR  OF  SHEARS  '  = 
'They're  as  like  as  two  peas.' 


Sheath. 


166 


Shed. 


1603.  SHAKSPEARE,  Measure  for 
Measure,  i.  2.  There  went  but  A  PAIR 
OF  SHEERS  between  us. 

1623.  FLETCHER  and  ROWLEY,  Maid 
of  the  Mill.  There  went  but  A  PAIR  OF 
SHEERS  and  a  bodkin  between  them. 

1630.  OVERBURY,  Charact.,  34. 
There  went  but  A  PAIRE  OF  SHEERES 
between  him  and  the  pursuivant  of  hell, 
for  they  both  delight  in  sinne. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  i.  103.  And 
some  report  that  both  these  fowles  have 
scene  Their  like,  that's  but  A  PAYRE  OF 
SHEERES  between. 

1633.  ROWLEY,  Match  at  Midnight 
[DoosLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  vii.  367]. 
Why  there  goes  but  A  PAIR  OF  SHEERS 
between  a  promoter  and  a  knave. 

See  KNIGHT. 

SHEATH,  subs,  (venery).— i.  The 
female  pudendum  :  see  MONO- 
SYLLABLE. 

2.  (venery). — The  prepuce   or 
foreskin. 

SHEBANG,  subs.  (American).  — 
See  quots. 

1861-5.  [BARTLETT,  Diet.  Ameri- 
canisms, s.v.  SHEBANG].  A  strange  word 
that  had  its  origin  during  the  late  civil 
war.  It  is  applied  alike  to  a  room,  a  shop, 
or  a  hut,  a  tent,  a  cabin  ;  an  engine-house. 

1871.  DfiVERE,  Americanisms,  .  .  . 
SHEBANG  .  .  .  used  even  yet  by  students 
of  Yale  College  and  elsewhere  to  designate 
their  rooms    or  a  theatrical  or  other  per- 
formance in  a  public  hall,  has  its  origin 
probably  in  a  corruption  of  the   French 
cabane,  a  hut,  familiar  to  the  troops  that 
came  from  Louisiana,  and  constantly  used 
in  the  Confederate  camp  for  the  simple 
huts,  which  they  built  with  such  alacrity 
and  skill  for  their  winter-quarters. 

1872.  CLEMENS,  Roughing  It,  xlvii. 
There'll  be  a  kerridge  for  you  .  .  .  We've 
got  a  SHEBANG  fixed  up  for  you  to  stande 
behind. 

1899.  BINSTEAD,  Hounsditch  Day 
by  Day,  198.  In  a  four-wheeled  fever  box 
you  must  take  your  beaver  on  your  knees 
or  get  it  hopelessly  ruffled  against  the 
roof  of  the  old  SHEBANG. 

1902..  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  ii. 
To-night,  at  your  own  SHEBANG,  alone. 


SHEBEEN,  subs.  ( Irish  and  Scots' ) . — 

(1)  Any  unlicensed  place  where 
excisable  liquors  are  sold  ;  whence 

(2)  a  low  (or  wayside)  public- 
house.     Also  as  verb. ,  SHEBEEN- 
ING,  and  SHEBEENER  :    the  last 
term  applies  to  persons  frequent- 
ing as  well  as  to  those  keeping  a 

SHEBEEN. 

^.1787.  Kilmainham  Minit  [Ireland 
Sixty  Years  Ago  (1847)  88].  With  de 
stuff  to  a  SHEBEEN  we  hied. 

1818.  ..LADY  MORGAN,  Flora  Ma- 
earthy,  i.  ii.  105.  Fitted  up  a  couple  of 
bedrooms  in  what  had  lately  been  a  mere 

SHEBEEN   house. 

1841.  LEVER,  Charles  O'Malley,  vii. 
A  little  country  ale-house,  or  in  Irish 
parlance,  SHEBEEN,  which  stood  at  the 
meeting  of  four  bleak  roads. 

1845.  BUCKS-TONE,  Green  Bushes,  \. 
2.  Have  you  been  to  the  SHEBEEN. 

1870.  Figaro,  14  Dec.  Three  ex- 
tensive captures  of  SHEBEENERS  were 
made  in  Glasgow  on  Sunday.  One  hun- 
dred and  twenty  persons  were  found  in  the 
dens.  .  .  .  Why  are  SHEBEENS  and  SHE- 
BEENERS so  numerous  in  the  North? 

1873.  Scotsman,  15  Feb.  TO 
OWNERS  of  INNS,  HOTELS,  and 
PUBLIC-HOUSES.— XXX  (who  is  a 
brother  Innkeeper)  thinks  it  high  time  that 
we  form  an  ASSOCIATION  to  protect 
ourselves  against  Grocers,  SHEBEENERS, 
and  others  who  sell  LIQUORS  which 
are  consumed  on  their  Premises,  and  who 
hold  no  Licence  to  do  so.  Suggestions. 
&c.  .  .  . 

1883.  JAY,  Cpnnaught  Cousins,  i.  i. 
22.  There  is  a  little  SHEBEEN  close  by 
where  we  will  take  a  rest. 

1892.  D.  Chronicle,  17  Aug.,  3,  7. 
CARDIFF.  The  designation  of  this 
town  as  "The  City  of  Shebeens,"  was 
further  justified  to-day. 

SHED,  verb,  (provincial). — To  PISS 

(q.V.)  :  also  TO  SHED  A  TEAR. 

To  SHED  A  TEAR,  verb.  phr. 
— To  take  a  drink  :  originally  to 
take  a  dram  of  REAL  or  SHORT 
(q.v.). 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jack,  156.  I 
always  made  time  to  call  in  and  SHED  A 
TEAR  with  him  for  convenience  and  '  days 
o'  lang  syne." 


She-dragon. 


167 


SHE-DRAGON,  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— i.  A  vixen  ;  an  elderly 
termagant. 

2.  (old). — A  kind  of  wig. 

SHEENEY(orSHENEY). — i.  A  Jew; 
a  YID  [q.v.):  used  by  Gentiles 
and  by  Jews  (jocosely  by  the 
latter).  Whence  (2)  a  pawn- 
broker :  pawnbroking,  like  the 
fruit  and  fish  trade,  is  mainly  (in 
London  at  least)  in  the  hands  of 
Jews.  Also  as  adj.  —  base, 
Jewish,  fraudulent :  also  SHEEN. 

1847.  THACKERAY,  Snobs,  xiv. 
SHEENEY  and  Moses  are  .  .  .  smoking 
their  pipes  before  their  lazy  shutters  in 
Seven  Dials. 

1852.  JUDSON,  Myst.  New  York,  iv. 
You  hav'nt  got  no  more  stock  than  a 
broken-down  SHENEY. 

1862.  Cornhill  Mag.,  vi.  648.  I 
shall  let  old  Abraham,  the  SHEENEY,  have 
it  at  four  punt  and  a  half  a  nob. 

1866.  SALA,  Trip  to  Barbary,  16. 
He  was  manifestly  a  Jew  ...  a  most 
splendid  SHEENY. 

tr.i  870.  Broadside  Ballad,  '  Talkative 
Man  from  Poplar.1  Last  Sunday  he  went 
down  Petticoat  Lane,  Talked  a  SHEENEY 
out  of  his  watch  and  chain. 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jack,  307. 
Tell  him  that  the  little  SHENEY  .  .  .  don't 
forget  his  kindness. 

1879.  HORSLEY,  Auto,  oj  Thier 
[Mac.  Mag.,  xl.  501].  I  took  the  daisies 
to  a  SHENEY  down  the  gaff. 

1888.  PAYN,  Eavesdropper,  n.  ii. 
'  Can  you  smash  a  thick  'un  for  me  ? '  in- 
quired one,  handing  his  friend  a  sovereign. 
'  You're  sure  it  ain't  SHEEN  ? '  returned 
the  other,  with  a  diabolical  grin. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.  3  Ap.  Down 
went  the  East-ender  smothered  in  gore, 
and  .  .  .  from  all  parts  of  the  crowd 
there  came  shouts  of,  "  the  SHEENIE 
wins ! "  Ibid.  The  SHEENIES  chuckled 
at  the  thought  of  the  chosen  race  once 
more  '  spoiling  the  Egyptians."  Ibid., 
23  Jan.  '  Don't  like  that  SHEENEY  friend 
of  yours,'  he  said;  'if  you  don't  look 
out  he'll  have  you. 


1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xxi.  I  used 
to  spend  a  couple  of  thick  'uns  a  Friday  in 
fish  and  greenstuff,  and  then  fill  up  with 
oranges  and  nuts  for  Sunday,  going  down 
the  lane  for  them,  buying  from  the 
SHEENEYS. 

SHEEP,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  i. 
SHEEP  like  PIGEON  (?.z>.)  is 
commonly  generic  for  timidity 
and  basfulness.  Thus,  as  subs. 
=  a  simpleton  ;  SHEEP-FACED 
(or  SHEEPISH)  =  bashful  (B.  E. 
and  GROSE)  ;  SHEEP'S-HEAD  = 
a  block-head  (B.  E.,  DYCHE,  and 
GROSE)  ;  SHEEP  -  HEADED  = 
stupid  ;  SHEEP'S  HEART  =  a 
coward  ;  SHEEP  -  HEARTED  = 
cowardly ;  *  LIKE  A  SHEEP'S 
HEAD,  ALL  JAW  '  =  '  said  of  a 
talkative  person '  (GROSE)  ;  OLD 
SHEEPGUTS=a  term  of  contempt. 

^.1556.  UDAL,  Fras.  Apoph.^  122. 
Those  pereones  who  were  sely  poore  soules 
.  .  .  wer  euen  then  ...  by  a  common 
prouerbe  called  SHEPES  HEADS  or  SHEPE. 

1563.  Fox,  Acts  and  Monuments,  iv. 
51  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  542].  Orr- 
min's  old  SHEEPISH  now  gets  the  new 
sense  of  stultus. 

1592.  NASHE,  Piers  Pennilesse,  45. 
I  haue  read  ouer  thy  SHEEPISH  discourse 
.  .  .  and  entreated  my  patience  to  bee 
good  to  thee  whilst  I  read  it. 

SHAKSPEARE,  Com.  Errors,  iv. 

peevish  SHEEP.  Ibid.  (1595), 
Verona,  i.  i.  Twenty  to  one  then  he  is 
slipp'd  already,  And  I  have  plaj^d  the 
SHEEP  in  losing;  him.  Ibid.  A  silly 
answer,  and  fitting  well  a  SHEEP. 

1605.  CHAPMAN,  All  Fools,  ii.  Ah, 
errant  SHEEP'S  HEAD,  hast  thou  lived  thus 
long,  And  darest  not  look  a  woman  in  the 
face? 

1630.       TAYLOR,     Works    [NARES]. 

Simple  SHEEP-HEADED  fools. 

1632.  MASSINGER,  Maid  of  Honour, 
ii.  2.  Page.  You,  sirrah  SHEEP'S-HEAD, 
With  a  face  cut  on  a  cat-stick?  You  yeoman 
fewterer. 

1693.  LOCKE,  Education,  70.  A 
SHEEPISH  or  conceited  creature. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  {ROUT- 
LEDGE],  216.  The  SHEEPISH  acquiescence 
of  a  man  who  stood  in  awe  of  an  eccle- 
siastical rap  on  the  knuckles. 


Sheep-biter. 


168 


Skeep's-eyes. 


1768.  STERNE,  Sent.  Journey,  20.  I 
never  felt  the  pain  of  a  SHEEPISH  inferiority 
so  miserably  in  my  life. 

J773-  .  GOLDSMITH,  She  Stools  to 
Conquer,  \.  i.  Reserved  and  SHEEPISH  ; 
that's  much  against  him. 

1775.  SHERIDAN,  Rivals,  iv.  i. 
Acres.  A  vile,  SHEEP-HEARTED  block- 
head !  If  I  hadn't  the  valour  of  St.  George 
and  the  Dragon  to  boot — 

1818.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  ix.  Why, 
thou  SHEEP'S  HEART,  how  do  ye  ken  but 
we  may  can  pick  up  some  speerings  of 
your  valise. 

1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  155 
(Tuly  18).  They've  got  a  man  for  mate  of 
that  ship,  and  not  a  bloody  SHEEP. 

1863.  READE,  Hard  Cash,  i.  137^. 
He  wore  a  calm  front  of  conscious  recti- 
tude ;  under  which  peeped  SHEEP-FACED 
misgivings  as  to  the  result  of  their  ad- 
vance :  for  like  all  lovers,  he  was  half 
impudence,  half  timidity,  and  both  on  the 
grand  scale. 

1878.  JOHN  PAYNE,  tr.  Poems  of 
Villon,  87.  My  poor  orphans,  all  the 
three,  Are  grown  in  age,  and  wit  likewise, 
No  SHEEPSHEADS  are  they,  I  can  see. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  vi. 
California  mine  manipulators  going  over 
.  ._ .  to  shear  those  fat-witted  SHEEP,  the 
British  investors. 

2.   (Aberdeen     Univ.).  —  See 

quot. 

1865.  MACDONALD,  Alec  Forbes  of 
Howglen,  n.  5.  At  length  a  certain  semi 
(second  -  classman,  or  more  popularly 
SHEEP)  stood  up  to  give  his  opinion  on 
some  subject  in  dispute. 

PHRASES  and  PROVERBS. — To 

WASH  SHEEP  WITH  SCALDING 
WATER  =  to  act  absurdly;  TO 
LOSE  A  SHEEP  (erroneously  SHIP) 
FOR  A  HALF-PENNY  WORTH  OF 
TAR  =  to  go  niggardly  about  a 
business  ;  '  as  well  be  hung  for  a 
sheep  as  a  lamb.' 

SHEEP- BITER,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
i.  A  slinking  thief;  also  SHEEP- 
SHEARER  and  SHEEP  -  NAPPER 
(the  latter  spec.  =a  sheep-stealer) ; 
SHEEP-BITING  =  sneaking. 


1588.  LVLY,  Man  in  the  Moone.  A 
sepulchre  to  seafish  and  others  in  ponds, 
moates,  and  rivers  ;  a  sharpe  SHEEP-BITER, 
and  a  marvellous  mutton-monger,  a  gos- 
belly  glutton. 

1602.  SHAKSPEARE,  Twelfth  Night, 
ii.  5,  6.  Wouldst  thou  not  be  glad  to  have 
the  niggardly  rascally  SHEEP-BITER  come 
by  some  notable  shame?  Ibid.  (r6o3), 
Meas.  for  Meas.,  v.  i,  359.  You  bafd- 
pated  lying  rascal  .  .  .  Show  your  SHEEP- 
BITING  face  and  be  hanged  an  hour. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May-day,  iii.  i.  I 
wish  all  such  old  SHEEP-BITERS  might  dip 
their  fingers  in  such  sauce  to  their  mutton. 

1620.  MIDDLETON,  Chaste  Maid,  ii. 
2.  SHEEP-BITING  mongrels,  hand-basket 
freebooters. 

^.1704.  L'ESTRANGE  [Century],  There 
are  political  SHEEP-BITERS  as  well  as  pas- 
toral, betrayers  of  public  trust  as  well  as  of 
private. 

1712.  SHIRLEY,  Triumph  of  Witt 
'  The  Black  Procession,'  vi.  The  sixteenth 
a  SHEEP-NAPPER,  whose  trade  is  so  deep, 
If  he's  caught  in  the  corn,  he's  marked  for 
a  sheep. 

2.     (old).  —  'A    poor    sorry, 
sneaking  ill-lookt  Fellow*  (B.E.) 


SHEEP-DOG,  suds,  phr.  (colloquial). 
See  quots. 

1847.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair.  it. 
ii.  '  Rawdon,'  said  Becky  .  .  .  '  I  must 
have  a  SHEEP-DOG  '  .  .  .  '  What  the  devil's 
that  ? '  said  his  Lordship.  '  A  dog  to  keep 
the  wolves  off  me,'  Rebecca  continued,  'a 
companion.' 

1882.  JAMES  PAYNE,  Thicker  than 
Water,  viii.  Under  pretence  of  being  my 
chaperon,  or  SHEEP-DOG,  everyone  knows 
that  Mary  is  here  for  the  protection  of  the 
public. 

SHEEP'S-CLOTHING. — See  WOLF. 

SHEEP'S  -  EYES.  To  CAST  (or 
MAKE)  SHEEP'S-EYES  (or  lamb's- 
eyes),  verb.  phr.  (common). — To 
ogle ;  to  leer  (GROSE)  :  formerly 
to  look  modestly  and  with  diffi- 
dence but  always  with  longing 
or  affection.  Fr.  ginginer  ;  lancer 
son  prospectus. 


Sheets-eyes. 


169 


Sheets. 


1500-13.  SKELTON,  Works  (DYCE), 
121.  When  ye  kyst  a  SHEPYS  IE. 

1590.  GREENE,  Francesco's  Fortunes 
[in  Wks.  viii.,  191].  That  CASTING  A 
SHEEPE'S  EYE  at  hir,  away  he  goes ;  and 
euer  since  he  lies  by  himselfe  and  pines 
away. 

1600.  T.  HEYWOOD,  i  Ed.  IV. 
[PEARSON,  Works  (1874),  i.  51].  Go  to, 
Nell ;  no  more  SHEEP'S  EYES  ;  .  .  .  these 
be  liquorish  lads. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.  .  .  .  Affec- 
tionate winke,  A  SHEEPESEYE. 

1614.  JONSON,  Bartholomew  Fair,  v. 
3.  Who  chances  to  come  by  but  fair  Nero 
in  a  sculler  ;  And  seeing  Leander's  naked 
leg  and  goodly  calf,  CAST  at  him  from  the 
boat  A  SHEEP'S  EYE  an'  a  half. 

1632.  MASSINGER,  Maid  of  Honour, 
iv.  5.  His  brother,  nor  his  favourite,  FuU 
gentio,  Could  get  a  SHEEP'S  EYE  from  you, 
I  being  present. 

1651.  CARTWRIGHT,  Ordinary 
[NARES].  If  I  do  look  on  any  woman, 
nay,  If  I  do  cast  a  SHEEPSEYE  upon  any. 

1673.  WYCHERLEY,  Gentleman  Dan- 
cing Master,  iv.  i.  I  saw  her  just  now 
give  him  the  languishing  eye,  as  they  call 
it,  that  is,  the  whiting's  eye,  of  old  called 

THE  SHEEP'S-EYE. 

1675.  COTTON,  Scoffer  Scofft  [Works 
(1725),  192].  Observing  what  SHEEPS-EYES 
he  cast. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
i.  Pray,  Miss,  how  do  you  like  Mr.  Spruce  ? 
I  swear  I  have  often  seen  him  cast  a 
SHEEP'S  EYE  out  of  a  Calf's  Head  at  you. 

1714.  Spectator,  No.  623.  The 
steward  was  observed  to  cast  A  SHEEP'S 
EYE  upon  her,  and  married  her  within  a 
month  after  the  death  of  his  wife. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random,  xvi. 
There  was  a  young  lady  in  the  room,  and 
she  threw  .  .  .  many  SHEEP'S  EYES  at  a 
certain  person  whom  I  shall  not  name. 

1766.  Old  Song,  '  The  Butcher '  [  The 
Rattle},  3.  Brisk  Dolly,  the  Cookmaid 
...  At  whom  the  young  Butcher  soon 
cast  A  SHEEP'S  EYE. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.,  n. 
334.  Her  Charms  will  excuse  one  for 
casting  SHEEP'S  EYES  at  her. 

1864.  G.  A.  LAWRENCE,  Guy  Living- 
stone, vii.  He  would  stand  for  some  time 
casting  LAMB'S-EYES  at  the  object  of  his 
affections — to  the  amorous  audacity  of  the 
full-grown  SHEEP  he  never  soared. 


1892.  Tit-Bits,  19  Mar.,  425,  i. 
Sowerbutt  had  a  silent  regard  for  Ethel, 
...  on  more  than  one  occasion  .  .  .  fur- 
tively casting  SHEEP'S  EYES  at  my  darling. 

SHEEPSKIN,  subs,  (common).  —  i. 
The  diploma  received  on  taking  a 
degree  ;  also  (2)  a  person  who 
has  taken  a  degree  ;  and  (3)  a 
deed  or  similar  document  [en- 
grossed on  parchment]. 

1843.  CARLTON,  New  Purchase,  i. 
203.  I  can  say  as  well  as  the  best  o1  them 
SHEEPSKINS,  if  you  don't  get  religion  and 
be  saved,  you'll  be  lost  teetotally  and  for- 
ever. Ibid.  This  apostle  of  ourn  never 
rubbed  his  back  agin  a  college,  nor  toted 
about  no  SHEEPSKINS,  —  no,  never  !  .  .  . 
How  you'd  a  perished  in  your  sins,  if  the 
first  preachers  had  stayed  till  they  got 
SHEEPSKINS  ! 

1853.  DICKENS,  Bleak  House,  xxxii. 
The  entanglement  of  real  estate  in  the 
meshes  of  SHEEPSKIN. 

SHEEPSKIN  -  FIDDLE,  subs.  phr. 
(old).  —  A  drum.  Hence,  SHEEP- 
SKIN -  FIDDLER  =  a  drummer 

(GROSE). 

SHEEPWALK,  subs.  (old).  —  A 
prison. 

1781.  MESSINK,  Choice  of  Harlequin, 
'  Ye  Scamps,  &c.,'  i.  In  Tothill-field's  gay 
SHEEPWALK,  like  lambs  ye  sport  and  play. 


.  (Winchester).  — 


To  duck. 


SHEET-  ALLEY,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
—  Bed;    BLANKET-FAIR   (?.#.). 

SHEETS,  subs,  (old).—  Generic  for 
sexual    intercourse  :     thus,    THE 

SHAKING    OF    THE   SHEETS  =  the 

act  of  kind  (orig.  the  name  of  an 
old  country  dance).  Also  BETWEEN 
THE  SHEETS  =  in  the  act  ;  WHITE- 
(or  COLD-)  SHEETS  =  chastity; 

STAINED    (or    FOUL)     -SHEETS  = 

fornication  ;  LAWFUL  SHEETS  = 
wedlock  ;  TO  POSSESS  A  WOMAN'S 
SHEETS  =  to  enjoy  her. 


Sheets. 


170       Sheffield  Handicap. 


1600.  SHAKSPEARE,  Much  Ado,  ii.  3. 
Claud,  Now  you  talk  of  a  sheet  of  paper, 
I  remember  a  pretty  jest  your  daughter 
told  us  of.  Leon.  O,  when  she  had  writ  it 
and  was  reading  it  over,  she  found  Bene- 
dick and  Beatrice  BETWEEN  THE  SHEET. 
Ibid.  (1604),  Winter's  Tale,  i.  2.  The 
purity  and  WHITENESS  OF  MY  SHEETS. 
Ibid.  (1605),  Cymbeline,  i.  6.  Should  he 
make  me  live  .  .  .  betwixt  COLD  SHEETS 
whiles  he  is  vaulting  variable  ramps? 
Ibid.t  ii.  2.  The.  chastity  .  .  .  WHITER 
TII..V,  THE  SHEETS  1  That  I  might  touch  ! 
Ibid.  (1605),  Lear,  iv.  6.  Let  copulation 
thrive  ;  for  Gloucester's  bastard  son  Was 
kinder  to  his  father  than  my  daughters'  Got 
'tween  the  LAWFUL  SHEETS.  Ibid.  (1596), 
Hamlet,  i.  2.  O,  most  wicked  speed,  to 
post  With  such  dexterity  to  incestuous 
SHEETS.  Ibid.  (1602),  Othello,  ii.  3.  logo. 
He  hath  not  yet  made  wanton  the  night 
with  her;  and  she  is  sport  for  Jove  .  .  . 
Well,  happiness  to  their  SHEETS. 

£.1603.  HEYWOOD,  Woman  KilVd 
with  Kindness,  i.  i.  Yes,  would  she 
dance  THE  SHAKING  OF  THE  SHEETS  But 
that's  the  dance  her  husband  means  to 
lead  her. 

1605.  CHAPMAN,  JONSON,  &c.,  Insa- 
tiate Countess,  ii.  You  must  not  think  to 
dance  THE  SHAKING  OF  THE  SHEETS  alone, 
though  there  be  not  such  rare  phrases  in't 
— 'tis  more  to  the  matter. 

1607.  DEKKER  and  WEBSTER,  West- 
ward Hoe,  v.  2.  Scrapers  appear  under 
the  wenches'  .  .  .  window  .  .  .  Cannot 

THE  SHAKING  OF  THE  SHEETS  be  danced 

without  your  town  piping  ? 

1611.  BARRY,  Ram  Alley,  v.  i.    The 
widow  and  myself  Will  scamble  out  THE 

SHAKING  OF  THE  SHEETS  Without  Musick. 

1612.  CHAPMAN,  Widow's  Tears,  i. 
2.     Eu.  I'll  have  thee  tossed  in  blankets. 
Tha.  In  blankets,  madam?  You  must  add 
your  SHEETS,  and  you  must  be  the  tosser. 
Ra.  Nay  then,  sir,  y'are  as  gross  as  you 
are  saucy.    Ibid.    Ars.  Did  not  one  of 
the  Countess's  serving  men  tell  us  ... 
that    he    had    already   POSSESSED   HER 
SHEETS. 

1633.  ROWLEY,  Match  at  Midnight^ 
iii.  i.  Thee  and  I  shall  dance  THE  SHAK- 
ING OF  THE  SHEETS  together. 

1659.  MASSINGER,  City  Madam,  ii. 
i.  In  all  these  places  .  .  .  after  ten- 
pound  suppers  The  curtain's  drawn,  my 
fiddlers  playing  all  night  THE  SHAKING  OF 
THE  SHEETS,  which  I  have  danced  Again 
and  again  with  my  cockatrice. 


1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  96.  There 
are  many  pretty  provocatory  dances,  as 
the  kissing  dance,  the  cushion  dance,  the 
SHAKING  OF  THE  SHEETS,  and  such  like, 
which  are  important  instrumentall  causes 
whereby  the  skilfull  hath  both  clyents  and 
custome. 

1768.  GAYTON,  Festivous  Notes,  25. 
But  you  Sancho,  had  the  Austrian  Don- 
zella  BETWIXT  THE  SHEETS,  where  I  am 
afraid  you  did  not  behave  so  well  as  was 
wished. 

A  SHEET  [or  THREE,  or  FOUR 

SHEETS]  IN  THE  WIND  (or  WIND'S 
EYE). — More  or  less  tipsy ;  HALF 
SEAS  OVER  (^.z/.) :  see  SCREWED. 

1821.  EGAN,  Real  Life,  i.  385.  Old 
Wax  and  Bristles  is  about  THREE  SHEETS 

IN  THE  WIND. 

1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  185. 
Though  S.  might  be  thought  tipsy — A 

SHEET   OR   SO   IN    THE   WIND — he    was   not 

more  tipsy  than  was  customary  with  him. 
He  ...  seldom  went  up  to  the  town  with- 
out coming  down  THREE  SHEETS  IN  THE 
WIND. 

1847.  PORTER,  Big  Bear,  172.  When 
he  gets  THREE  SHEETS  spred,  and  is  tryin' 
to  unfarl  the  fourth,  he  can  jist  out-laugh 
the  univarse. 

1879.  Chambers'  //.,  14  June,  383. 
We  had  all  messed  together,  and  I'm  afraid 
had  got  rather  more  than  THREE  SHEETS 
IN  THE  WIND,  had  aboard  more  than  we 
could  carry. 

1883.  STEVENSON,  Treasure  of  Fran- 
chard,  iv.  [Longman's  Mag.,  April,  693]. 
Desprez  was  inclined  to  be  A  SHEET  IN 
THE  WIND'S  EYE  after  dinner,  especially 
after  RhSne  wine,  his  favourite  weakness. 

1892.  HENLEY  and  STEVENSON, 
Three  Plays,  209.  Kit.  What  cheer, 
mother?  I'm  only  a  SHEET  IN  THE  WIND  ; 
and  who's  the  worse  for  it  but  me  ? 

SHE-FAMILIAR,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
A  kept  mistress  (HALLIWELL). 

SHEFFIELD  HANDICAP,  subs.  phr. 
(provincial). — A  sprint  race  with 
no  defined  SCRATCH (g.v.).  The 
scratch  man  received  an  enormous 
start  from  an  imaginary  FLYER 
(q.v.}. 


She-fiunkey. 


171 


Shell. 


SHE -FLUNKEY,  subs,  phr*  (com- 
mon).— A  lady's  maid. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
Hi.  244.  She  were  a  SHE-FLUNKEY,  lady's 
maid,  once — that's  how  she  know'd  all 
about  being  a  swell  lady. 

SHEKEL,  subs,  (common). — In  //. 
=  money :  generic  :  see  RHINO. 

1886.  Fun,  21  July,  29.  Now  that 
Henry  Ward  Beecher  is  over  here,  intent 
on  making  SHEKELSZ  the  following  anec- 
dote concerning  him  is  worth  reviving. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  Pomes  [1897], 
17.  He'd  a  pedigree  long,  land  and 
SHEKELS  galore. 

1889.  Referee,  6  Jan.     H.  is  scoop- 
ing in  the  SHEKELS,  but  you  mustn't  infer 
from  this  that  he  is  a  "  She  "-nie. 

1890.  New  York  Herald,  16  April,  6. 
Mr.  Philips's  .  .  .  novels  bring  him  in  as 
many  SHEKELS  as  Ouida's. 

1892.  GUNTER,  Miss  Dividends,  x. 
Plently  of  SHEKELS  to  hire  legal  talent 
and  pack  juries. 

1897.  CasselFs  Saturday  Journal, 
15  Sep.  I  do  a  great  deal  in  the  matri- 
monial line.  One  individual,  more  full  of 
love  than  SHEKELS,  was  in  here  just  as  the 
clock  was  striking  nine  one  Saturday. 

SHELF.  ON  THE  SHELF,  phr. 
(various).  —  I.  (general)  =  laid 
aside,  in  reserve,  past  service  :  Fr. 
brul& ;  2  (military)  =  under  ar- 
rest ;  3  (old)  =  in  pawn  (GROSE) ; 
4  (thieves')  =  transported;  5 
(common)  =  dead  :  whence  OFF 
THE  SHELF  =  resurrected. 

1587,  GASCOIGNE,  Fruits  oj  War, 
132  [CHALMERS,  Eng.  Poets,  ii.  522,  a,  4]. 
And  I  that  neuer  yet  was  SET  ON  SHELF, 
When  any  sayld  .  .  .  Went  after  him. 

1655.  HKYWOOD,  Fortune  by  Land 
and  Sea.  The  fates  have  cast  us  ON  THE 
SHELF  To  hang  'twix  air  and  water. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  ii. 
Once  a  distinguished  leader  of  fashion, 
.  .  .  but  he  is  ON  THE  SHELF  now. 

1833.  O'CoNNELL  [O'C.  Correspon- 
dence (1888),  i.  387].  Lord  Anglesey  now 
is  obliged  reluctantly  to  retire.  Black- 
burne  will  be  put  ON  THE  SHELF. 


1842.  Comic  Almanack,  324.  For 
though  "six,  seven,  eight,"  have  got,  each 
of  them,  nicks,  They,  at  last,  lay  the 
gambler  undone  ON  THE  SHELF. 

1857.  TROLLOPS,  Three  Clerks,  iv. 
What,  pension  him  !  put  him  on  half-pay 
—SHELF  HIM  for  life,  while  he  was  still 
anxiously  expecting  .  .  .  promotion. 

c.i 870.  Music  Hall  Song,  'Hands 
Off.'  Some  fine  day,  when  I'm  .  .  .  Put 
to  bed  with  a  spade  in  the  usual  way,  And 
yourself  ON  THE  SHELF  a  neglected  old 
maid. 

1894.  Illus.  Bits,  7  April,  4,  2.  It 
should  be  explained  here  that  [it]  had  been 
ON  THE  SHELF  some  time. 

1902.  HUME,  Crime  of  Crystal,  \. 
Tell  'em  to  get  back  into  their  graves  at 
once  ...  we  don't  take  any  folks  OFF 

THE  SHELF. 

SHELL,   subs,    (military). — An  un- 
dress jacket :  also  SHELL-JACKET. 

1886.  St.  James's  Gazette,  22  Dec. 
Tunics  and  SHELLS  and  messing-jackets 
and  caps. 

1889.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxx.  396. 
Three  turbaned  soldiers  in  tight  SHELL- 
jackets  and  baggy  breeches. 

2.  (school). — 5^quots. 

1857.  T.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown's 
Schooldays,  i.  5.  The  lower  fifth,  SHELL, 
and  all  the  junior  forms  in  order. 

1867.  COLLINS,  Public  Schools,  178 
(Westminster).  At  the  end  of  this  room 
[the  schoolroom]  there  is  a  kind  of  semi- 
circular apse,  in  which  the  SHELL  form 
were  formerly  taught,  and  the  shape  of 
which  is  said  to  have  given  rise  to  this 
name,  since  adopted  at  several  other  public 
schools. 

1875.  JEAN  INGELOW,  Fated  to  be 
Free,  xix.  The  SHELL  [Harrow]  .  .  . 
means  a  sort  of  class  between  the  other 
classes. 

3.  (venery).— The  female  pu- 
dendum :  see  MONOSYLLABLE. 

4.  (old).— In//-  =  money  :  see 
RHINO.     Hence  TO  SHELL  OUT 
=  to  pay.    Fr.  allonger  les  radis. 
SHELLING  -  OUT    =     '  clubbing 
money  together '  (GROSE). 

1591.  GREENE,  Notable  Discovery 
[Works,  x.  38].  The  purse,  the  Bong,  The 
monie,  the  SHELS. 


Shell-back. 


172 


Shemozzle. 


1611.  MIDDLETON,  Roaring  Girl,  v. 
i.  'Tis  a  question  whether  there  be  any 
silver  SHELLS  amongst  them,  for  all  their 
satin  outsides. 

1810.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  27.  Who 
knows  but  if  coax'd,  he  may  SHELL  OUT 
the  shiners. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  iii. 
Another  kevarten  .  .  .  and  if  you  are  too 
scaly  to  tip  for  it,  I'll  SHELL  OUT. 

1825.  NEAL,  Bro.  Jonathan,  in. 
xxxvii.  Maybe  you'll  treat,  won't  you,  if 
I  SHELL  OUT,  fair ;  all't  I  know  o'  the 
matter  ? 


OUT  a  mag. 

1844.  SELBY,  London  by  Night,  \.  i. 
By  the  bye,  Sh.idra.ck,  you  must  SHELL 
OUT  at  once  for  contingencies. 

a?.  1849.  EDGEWORTH,  Love  and  Law, 
I.  i.  Will  you  be  kind  enough,  sir,  TO 
SHELL  OUT  for  me  the  price  of  a  daacent 
horse  fit  to  mount  a  man  like  me. 

1855.  BARNUM,  Autobiography,  195. 
At  the  same  time  motioning  to  his  tremb- 
ling victim  to  SHELL  OUT. 

1860.  CasselFs  Mag.,  4  Jan.,  211. 
The  grave  shan't  keep  me  quieter  than  the 
fifty  suverins  which  Mr.  Hewitt  .  .  .  will 
SHELL  OUT  in  the  morning. 

1892.  NISBET,  Bushranger's  Sweet- 
heart, 75.  And  after  they  have  SHELLED 
OUT,  what  happens  ? 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xiii. 
Are  you  prepared  to  keep  on  SHELLING 
OUT  over  her  till  kingdom  come? 

5.  (old). — A  drinking  glass. 
See  BROWN  SHELL. 

SHELL-BACK,  subs.  phr.  (nautical). 
— A  sailor  :  also  OLD  SHELL. 

1883.  Graphic,  12  May,  487,  3.     The 
marine  was  described  as  a  joey,  a  jolly,  a 

SHELLBACK. 

1884.  RUSSELL,  Jack's  Courtship,  \. 
It  takes  a  sailor  a  long  time  to  straighten 
his  spine   and  get  quit  of  the  bold  sheer 
that  earns  him  the  name  of  SHELL-BACK. 

1885.  Ru  NCI  MAN,    Skippers    and 
SHELLBACKS  [Title]. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  29. 
All  excepting  the  captain,  who  was  a 
regular  quiet  old  SHELL-BACK, 


1902.  Athenceum,  8  Feb.,  176,  3. 
Any  one  of  a  dozen  gaunt  and  hungry 
SHELL-BACKS  in  the  forecastle  would  have 
supported  him. 

SHELL-OUT,  subs.  phr.  (billiards). 
— A  variety  of  pool. 

1882.  BRADDON,  Mount  Royal,  xxv. 
Refraining  from  the  relaxation  of  pool,  or 
SHELL-OUT — opining  that  the  click  of  the 
balls  might  have  an  unholy  sound  so  soon 
after  a  iuneral. 

S'HELP.    See  S'WELP. 

SHELTA.  A  kind  of  cryptic  Irish 
spoken  by  tinkers  and  confirmed 
tramps  ;  a  secret  jargon  com- 
posed chiefly  of  Gaelic  words  dis- 
guised by  changes  of  initial, 
transposition  of  letters,  back- 
slanging  and  similar  devices. 
[Discovered  by  C.  G.  Leland  and 
announced  to  the  world  in  his 
book  The  G#SUS(lS&2);  in  1886 
there  was  a  correspondence  on 
the  subject  in  The  Academy ;  in 
1889  The  Gypsy  Lore  Society 
was  started  and  several  articles  on 
Shelta  appeared  in  its  Journal, 
finally  in  Chamber's  Encyclo- 
pedia (1902)  there  is  a  long  ac- 
count of  this  once  mysterious  but 
now  fully  explained  speech.] 

SHELVE,  verb,  (printers'). — To  hold 
over  part  of  the  weekly  bill ;  the 
reverse  of  HORSING  (g.v.). 

SHEMOZZLE  (SHIMOZZEL  or 
SHLEMOZZLE),  subs.  (East  End). 
—A  difficulty. 

1899.  BINSTEAD,    Hounsditch    Day 
by  Day.     It  was  through  no  recklessness 
or  extravagance  that  he  was  in  this  SHLE- 
MOZZLE. 

1900.  From    the    Front,    183.      We 
might  look  upon  this  little  CHIMOZZLE  as  a 
kind  of  misunderstanding. 

1901.  J.  MACLAREN  COBBAN,  Golden 
Tooth,  170.     If  Will   comes   out  of  this 

SHEMOZZLE. 

Verb.  (East  End).— To  be  off; 
to  decamp. 


Shenanigan. 


173 


Shicer. 


SHENANIGAN,  subs.  (American). — 
Bounce;  chaff;  nonsense;  trick- 
ery (BARTLETT,  1877.) 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  80. 
Never  mind  their  SHENANIGAN. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  332. 
We're  mates  all  round,  an'  no  more  SHE- 

NANNIKIN. 

1902.  A.  PRATT,  Great  Push  Exper.t 
77.  A  real  gentleman  and  no  SHENANIGAN. 

1902.  R.  BARR,  The  Victor,  81.  If  I 
were  to  pay  them  they  might  think  there 
was  some  SHENANIGAN  about  it. 

SH  E-NAPPER,  subs.phr.  (Old  Cant). 
— *  A  Woman  Thief-catcher  ;  also 
a  Cock  (he)  or  Hen  (she)  Bawd, 
a  Procuress  and  Debaucher  of 
young  Virgins  ;  a  Maiden-head- 
jobber'  (B.  E.  and  GROSE.) 

SHE-OAK,  subs.( Australian  and  New 
Zealand). — Colonial  brewed  ale. 

SHEPHERD,  verb,  (colloquial). — 
To  guard ;  to  keep  under  surveil- 
lance ;  to  chaperon  :  as  a  ticket- 
of-leave  man  (see  NARK,  subs,  and 
verb) ;  an  unmarried  woman,  or 
(mining)  as  in  quot.  1863.  Also 
(football)  to  head  off  whilst  one's 
side  is  runuing  or  kicking.  At 
Harrow,  SHEPHERD,  subs.  = 
every  sixth  boy  in  the  cricket-bill 
who  answers  for  the  five  below 
him  being  present. 

1863.  Once  a  Week,  vin.  507.  Having 
sunk  their  holes,  each  about  a  foot,  and 
placed  in  them  a  pick  or  shovel  as  a  sign  of 
ownership,  they  devoted  themselves  to  the 
laborious  occupation  of  SHEPHERDING, 
which  consists  in  sitting  by  a  huge  fire 
with  a  pipe  in  your  mouth,  telling  or 
listening  to  interminable  yarns,  .  .  .  grum- 
bling at  your  present  and  regretting  your 
past  luck,  diversified  by  occasionally 
lounging  up  to  the  sinking  party  for  the 
purpose  of  examining  the  '  tack  '  thrown 
up,  and  criticising  the  progress  made. 

1886.  PERCY  CLARKE,  New  Chum, 
71.  The  speculators  who  sat  dangling 
their  legs  in  their  infant  pits,  SHEPHERDING 
their  claims,  awaiting  with  anxiety  .  .  . 
the  run  of  the  vein. 


S  HER  BETTY,  adv.  (common). — 
Drunk  :  see  SCREWED. 

1890.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  8  Feb.  By 
the  time  one  got  to  bed  Tom  was  a  bit 

SHERBETTY. 

SHERIFF.  The  chief  officer  of  jus« 
tice  within  a  county  is  naturally 
found  in  combination :  thus 
SHERIFF'S  PICTURE  FRAME  = 
the  hangman's  noose  :  see  NUB- 

BING-CHEAT ;       SHERIFF'S-JOUR- 

NEYM  AN  =  a  hangman;  SHERIFF'S 
BALL  =  an  execution  :  whence  TO 

DANCE  AT  THE  SHERIFF'S  BALL 
AND  LOLL  OUT  ONE'S  TONGUE 
AT  THE  COMPANY  =  to  hang  ; 
SHERIFF'S  BRACELETS  =  hand- 
cuffs ;  SHERIFF'S  HOTEL  =  a 
prison  (GROSE). 

1824.  EGAN,  Boxiana,  iii.  622.  All 
in  the  SHERIFF'S  PICTURE  FRAME  the  call 
Exalted  high,  Dick  parted  with  his  flame, 
And  all  his  comrades  swore  that  he  dy'd 
game. 

SHERRY(orSHIRRY),Zw£.  (old).— 

To  run  away :  also  TO  SHIRRY 
OFF  (GROSE)  :  see  ABSQUATU- 
LATE. 

SHERRY-FUG,  verb.  (University). — 
To  tipple  sherry. 

SHERRY- MOOR,  subs.  phr.  (provin- 
cial).— A  fright  [HALLIWELL  : 
From  the  battle  of  Sheriffe-muir 
when  *  all  was  blood,  uproar,  and 
confusion ']. 

SHET.    See  SHUT. 

SHEVVLE,  subs,  (obsolete).  —  See 
quot. 

1864.  D.  News,  2  Dec.  This  is  a 
term  recently  introduced  as  a  genteel  desig- 
nation for  cats'  meat,  and  evidently  derived 
from  CHEVAL,  French  for  horse,  as  mutton 
from  mouton,  &c. 

SH  ICER  (or  SH  ICE),  subs,  (thieves').-- 
I.  Any  worthless  person  or  thing: 
generic  for  contempt.  Also  1(2) 


Shickster. 


174 


Shifter. 


= nothing;  NIX  (g.v.):  e.g.  TO 
WORK  FOR  SHiCE  =  to  get  no  pay- 
ment. Spec.  SHICE  =  base 
money;  and,  as  adj.,  (i)  spurious, 
shabby,  bad  :  also  SHICERY  and 
SHICKERY  ;  and  (2)  =  tipsy. 

1851-6.  MAYHEW,  Lon.  Lab.,  i,  472. 
The  hedge  crocus  is  SHICKERY  togged. 

1871.  If/us.  Sydney  News,  21  Jan., 
'  The  Digger.'  The  ne'er-do-wells  .  .  . 
are  ...  the  first  to  rush  to  a  new  field, 
scrape  it  of  its  surface  gold  and  then  too 
lazy  to  seek  further  by  deep  sinking  de- 
nounce the  rush  as  a  SHICER. 

1877.  Fto*  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
iii.  240.  I  ascertained  while  at  Dartmoor 
that  a  very  large  '  business '  is  done  in 
SHISE.  Ibid.,  ii.  Seeing  how  the  fellow 
was  acting  he  sent  him  two  SHISE  notes, 
which  gave  him  a  dose  that  cooked  him. 

1899.  BINSTEAD,  Hounsditck  Day 
by  Day,  46.  She  comes  over  SHIKKUR 
and  vants  to  go  to  shleeb. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  260. 
'You're  a  damned  good  plucked  un,  Toby  ! ' 
muttered  Squiffy,  'an'  ye're  no  SHICER.' 

SHICKSTER    (SHICKSER,    or 

SCHICKSTER),  subs,  (common). — 
A  woman :  specifically  (among 
Jews)  =  (i)  a  female  servant  not 
of  the  Jewish  faith  ;  and  (2)  a 
woman  of  shady  antecedents. 
SHICKSTER-CRABS  =  ladies'  shoes. 

1857.  SNOWDEN,  Mag.  Assistant  (3rd 
Ed.),  446.  A  lady— A  SHIKSTER. 

1899.  BINSTEAD,  Hounsditch  Day 
by  Day,  91.  '  No  Mr.  Motzaberger '  says 
the  schveet  young  SHIKSA. 

1891.  CAREW,  Autobiography  of  a 
Gifsy,  414.  As  I  was  leavin'  the  court 
a  reg'lar  'igh-flying  SHICKSTER  comes  up. 

SHIP,  subs,  (back  slang). — Fish. 

SHIFT,  verb,  (common). — i.  To  eat ; 
and  especially  to  drink.  Hence 
SHIFTER  =  a  drunkard. 

2.    (old).  —  To    change    one's 
smock  ;  to  change  one's  clothes. 

1695.  CONGREVE,  Love  for  Love,  i. 
4.  Bid  Margery  put  more  flocks  in  her 
bed,  SHIFT  twice  a  week,  and  not  work  so 
hard,  that  she  may  not  smell  so  vigorously. 


To  DO  A  SHIFT,  verb.  phr. 
(common). — i.  To  go  away ;  to 
change  one's  quarters. 

1892.  National  Observer,  27  Feb., 
378.  But  if  you  arst  me,  do  I  ever  DO  A 
SHIFT?  Am  I  particklerly  partial  to  a 
fuss?  ...  Speaking  as  one  man  to 
another, — Yuss  1 

2.  (common). — To  evacuate. 

To  SHIFT  ONE'S  BOB.  See 
BOB. 

SHIFTER,  subs,  (old).— i.  An  in- 
triguer :  SHIFTY-COVE  =  a  trick- 
ster (GROSE).  Also  (2)  =  a  thief; 
(3)  a  sharper  ;  and  (4)  a  drunkard. 
Whence  SHIFTY  (or  SHIFTING)  = 
tricky  (now  recognised)  ;  SHIFT- 
ING =  (i)  shuffling,  stealing, 
swindling  ;  and  (2)  =  drinking. 

AWDELEY,  Fraternitye  oj 
As  well  as  of  rufling  Vaca- 
bondes,  as  of  beggerley,  .  .  .  with  a 
Description  of  the  Crafty  Company  of 
Cousoners  and  SHIFTERS.  [Title.] 

1584.  ROBINSON,  Pleasant  Delights 
[ARBER],  14.  Maids  must  be  manerly, 
not  full  of  scurility,  .wherein  I  see  you 
excel  .  .  .  You  are  a  trim  SHIFTER. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Com.  of  Errors, 
iii.  2,  187.  I  see  a  man  here  needs  not 
live  by  SHIFTS. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
Bazaro  ...  a  SHIFTER,  a  conicatcher 
...  a  haltersacke. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  iii.  i.  Thou 
art  an  honest  SHIFTER;  I'll  have  the 
statue  repealed  for  thee. 

1607.  Common  Council  Enactment. 
SHIFTERS,  people  lyvinge  by  Cozeainge, 
Stealinge,    and    Imbeazellinge    of   Men's 
Goodes  as  opportunitye  may  serve  them. 

1608.  WlTHALS,    Diet.       A    SHIFTER 

whome  they  call  a  cunny-catcher. 

1610.  Mir.  for  Mags.  ,144.  Nought 
more  than  subtill  SHIFTINGS  did  we  please, 
With  bloodshed,  craftie  undermining  men. 

1616.  Richard  Cabinet  [NARES], 
SHIFTING  doeth  many  times  incurre  the 
indignitie  of  reproch,  and  to  be  counted  a 
SHIFTER,  is  as  if  a  man  would  say  in 
plain  e  tearmes  a  coosener, 


Shifting-ballast.          175 


Shilly-shally. 


1630.  TAYLOR,  Works  [NARES]. 
And  let  those  SHIFTERS  their  own  judges 
be,  If  they  have  not  bin  arrant  thieves  to 
me. 

1637.  HEYWOOD,  R oyal  King  [PEAR- 
SON, Works  (1874),  vi.  38].  He  scorns  to 
be  a  changeling  or  a  SHIFT. 

1639.  FLETCHER,  The  Bloody 
Brother,  iv.  2.  "  They  have  so  little  As 
well  may  free  them  from  the  name  of 
SHIFTER." 

1659.  MILTON,  Civil  Power  \Cen- 
/wry].  Sly  and  SHIFTING. 

2.  (thieves').— An  alarm  :  as 
given  by  one  thief  in  watching  to 
another  'on  the  job.' — VAUX 
(1812). 

SHIFTING-BALLAST,  subs.  phr.  (old 
nautical). — Landsmen  on  board 
ship  :  spec,  soldiers  (GROSE). 

SHIFT-WORK  (or  SERVICE),  subs, 
phr.  (venery). — Fornication. 

SHIG,  subs.  (East  End).— In//.  = 
money:  specifically  silver.  At 
Winchester  SHIG  =  a  shilling 
(MANSFIELD,  ^.1840). 

SHIGGERS,  subs.  pi.  (Winchester). 
— White  football  trousers  costing 
los.  :  see  SHIG. 

SHIKERRY.    See  SHICER. 

SHILLAGALEE,  subs.  (American). — 
A  loafer. 


SHILLING.    To  TAKE  THE  KING'S 
(or   QUEEN'S)    SHILLING,   verb, 
phr.  (colloquial). — To  enlist. 
£.1702.    [ASHTON,  Social  Life  in    the 
Reign  of  Queen  Anne  (1882-3),  »•   203]« 
The  QUEEN'S  SHILLING  once  being  taken 
.  .  .  there  was   no  help  for   the    recruit 
unless  he  was  bought  out. 

1706.  FARQUHAR,  Recruiting  Officer, 
ii.  3.  Copt,  P.  Come  my  lads  .  .  .  the 
army  is  the  place  to  make  you  men  for 
ever.  Pear.  Captain,  give  me  a  SHIL- 
LING ;  I'll  follow  you. 


SHILLING-SHOCKER  (or  -DREAD- 
FUL), subs.  phr.  (literary).— A 
sensation  novel  sold  at  a  shilling  : 
a  fashion  initiated  (1887)  by 
The  Mystery  of  a  Hansom  Cao, 
by  Mr.  Fergus  Hume :  cf.  PENNY- 
AWFUL. 

1885.  Athen&uin,  14  Nov.,  638.  Mr 
Stevenson  is  writing  another  SHILLING- 
DREADFUL. 

1887.  ///.  London  News,  17  Sept., 
345,  x.  The  three-volume  novel  may  be 
dying  out,  as  they  tell  us  ;  but  we  have 
the  SHILLING  SHOCKER  rampant  among  us. 

1890.  Academy,  22  Feb.,  130,  2.  I 
have  often  wondered  why  the  experiences 
of  the  Styrian  arsenic-eaters  .  .  .  has  not 
been  utilised  by  the  writer  of  some  three- 
volume  novel  or  SHILLING  SHOCKER. 

SHILLY-SHALLY  (also  SHALLY  - 
SHALLY),  verb.  phr.  (colloquial). 
— To  trifle  ;  not  to  know  one's 
mind  ;  TO  STAND  SHILLY- 
SHALLY =  to  be  irresolute 
(GROSE).  Hence  SHILLY-SHALLY 
(or  SHILLY-SHALLYING)  =  inde- 
cision [Shall  I  ?  Shall  I  ?]  ; 
SHILLY-SHALLIER  =  a  trifler. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  iii.  3.  There's 
no  delay,  they  ne're  stand  SHALL  I  SHALL 
I  :  Hermogenes  with  Dallila  doth  dally. 

1665.  HOWARD,  Committee,  iii.  Tell 
her  your  mind  1  ne'er  stand  SHILLY 

SHALLY. 

1699.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  the  World, 
iii.  15.  I  don't  stand  SHILL  I,  SHALL  I, 
then  ;  if  I  say't,  I'll  do't. 

1703.  STEELE,  Tender  Husband,  iii. 
i.  Why  should  I  stand  SHALLY-SHALLY 
like  a  Country  Bumpkin. 

1709.  KING,  Eagle  and  Robin,  92. 
Bob  did  not  SKILLS-SHALL-!  go,  Nor  said 
one  word  of  friend  or  foe. 

1782.  BURNEY,  Cecilia,  v.  119  [On- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  188.  The  SKILL  I, 
SHALL  I  of  Congreve  becomes  SHILLY 
SHALLY]. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  27.  I  never  STAND  SHILLY- 
SHALLY :  begone,  you  are  free. 

1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifiord  (1854), 
177.  Your  friends  starve  before  your  eyes, 
while  you  are  SHILLY-SHALLYING  about 
your  mistress. 


Shimmy. 


176 


Shindy. 


1834.     SOUTHEY,  TJie  Doctor,  cv.  He 

Was  no  SHILLY  SHALLIER. 

1849.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis, 
xxxvii.  I'll  have  no  more  letters  nor  no 
more  SHILLY-SHALLY. 

1883.  JAMES  PAYN,    Thicker   than 
Water,  xvii.     He  says  he  will   have  no 
more  SHILLY -SHALLYING,  but  will  you  take 
the  Lady  or  will  you  not? 

1884.  Sat,  Review,  8  March,  299,  2. 
He  relapses    into    SHILLY-SHALLY    under 
cover  of  General  Graham's  feat. 

SHIMMY  (or  SHI  MM  EY),  sttbs.  (col- 
loquial).— A  chemise.  Also  (Fel- 
sted)  =  a  shirt :  obsolete. 

1837.  MARRYATT,  Snarley  Yow,  xliv. 
We  have  nothing  here  but  petticoats  and 
SHIMMEYS  .  .  .  Never  mind  I'll  lend  you 
a  SHIMMEY. 

1856.  Dow,    Sermons   [BARTLETT]. 
As  interesting  a  sight  ...  as  a  SHIMMEY 
in  a  wash-tub. 

18  [?].  A  Tale  of  Sleepy  Hollow 
[BARTLETT].  The  ghost  was  Aunt  Kate's 
SHIMMEYS  pinned  on  the  line  to  dry. 

SHIN,  verb,  (colloquial).— Generic 
for  action :  spec,  to  walk,  to 
tramp  :  also  TO  SHIN  IT.  Hence 
TO  SHIN  UP  =  to  climb;  TO 

SHIN  IT  (SHIN  ROUND,  or  BREAK 

SHINS)  =  to  go  a  round  of  lenders  : 
whence  SHINNER  =  a  borrower; 
TO  SHIN  OUT  OF  =  to  clear  off; 
TO  BREAK  ONE'S  SHINS  (see 
above) ;  also  (2)  to  be  in  a  hurry  ; 
and  (3)  to  fall  against,  or  over,  a 
person  or  thing  ;  AGAINST  ONE'S 
SHINS  =  unwillingly  (RAY).  Also 
SHINNY  (American)  =  a  negro 
tramp  :  cf.  HOBOE. 

1836.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  284. 
We  had  to  furl  them  again  in  a  snow- 
squall,  and  SHIN  UP  and  DOWN  single  ropes 
caked  with  ice. 

1838.  JSTS.M.,  Charcoal Sketches,  The 
Fleshy  One,  n.  13.     '  SHIN  IT,  good  man," 
ejaculated  a  good-natured  urchin. 

1845.  New  York  Com.  Adv.,  13  Dec. 
The  Senator  was  SHINNING  AROUND,  to 
get  gold  for  the  rascally  bank-rags. 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Browns  School- 
days, \.  g.     Nothing  for  it  but  the  tree  ;  so 
Tom  laid  his  bones  to  it  SHINNING  UP  as 
a.s  fast  he  could, 


i8[?].  Pearl  St.,  123  [BARTLETT]. 
"Any  thing  over?"  is  an  expression  used 
by  SHINNERS,  on  applying  to  their  acquaint- 
ances for  the  needful ;  and  if  so,  it  is 
expected  that  you  will  oblige  the  SHINNER. 

1868.  C.  READE  and  BOUCICAULT, 
Foul  Play,  158.  I  know  I  didn't  ought  to 
ax  a  parson  to  SHIN  UP  a  tree  for  me. 

1871.  DEVERE,  Americanisms  .  .  . 
To  obtain  money  he  has  probably  had 
much  SHINNING  to  do,  as  slang  calls  the 
running  about  to  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances. 

1882.  ANSTEY,  Vice-Versa,  xvi. 
SHIN  OUT  OF  this,  whatever  y'are,  we  don't 
contrack  to  carry  no  imps  on  this  line. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huck.  Finn,  iv.  I 
was  up  in  a  second  and  SHINNING  DOWN 
the  hill. 

1891.  RUSSELL,  Ocean  Tragedy,  86. 
I  sprang  and  had  soon  SHINNED  as  high  as 
the  topgallant-yard. 

1900.  GUNTER,  Princess  of  C.,  7. 
Lay  low,  but  tell  yer  dad  to  SHIN  UP  here 
quick. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  109.  My 
knowledge  of  the  SHINIES  is  very  meagre. 
Ibid.,  323.  The  '  blanket  stiff,'  the  'gay- 
cat,'  'THE  SHINNY,'  the  '  Frenchy,'  and 
the  '  ex-prushun  '  were  all  there. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xxxiv. 
Hill  .  .  .  make  a  rope  of  the  bed-clothes 
and  SHIN  DOWN  with  her  in  his  arms. 

2.  (common). — To  kick  on  the 
shins. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingold.  Leg.,  n.  351. 
A  ring — give  him  room,  or  he'll  SHIN  you 
— stand  clear. 

1864.  Eton  School  Days,  xiii.  He 
could  not  go  out  .  .  .  without  someone 
throwing  a  stone  at  him,  or  hissing,  or 
SHINNING  him  if  he  passed  near  enough. 

SHINDY,  subs.  (old). — I.  A  dance 
(GROSE)  :  in  Western  America 
SHINDIG  =  a  noisy  dance. 

2.  (common). — A  disturbance  ; 
a  quarrel  :  also  SHINTY.  Whence 
(3)  a  boisterous  SPREE  (q.v.). 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  iii. 
The  Jack  Tar  is  quite  pleased  with  his 
night's  cruise,  and  is  continually  singing 
out,  "  What  a  prime  SHINDY,  my  mess- 
mates  J " 


Shine. 


177 


Shine. 


1837.     BARHAM,    Ingoldsby  Legends 

(1862),  204. he  won't  kick  up  such 

SHINDIES,   Were  she  once  fairly  married 
and  off  to  the  Indies. 

1841.  Comic  Almanack,  260.  Veil, 
sartingly  its  vindy ;  and  here's  a  pretty 

SHINDY. 

1847.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair,  n. 
xix.  There's  a  regular  SHINTY  in  the 
house  ;  and  everything  at  sixes  and  sevens. 

1864.  Derby-day,  8.  He  asked  them 
if  they  wanted  to  insult  him  grossly,  and 
there  was  a  very  comfortable  little  SHINDY 
over  it. 

_  1869.  MRS.  WOOD.  Roland  Yorke, 
xiii.  "  Which  cheque ?  .  .  .  "The  one 
there's  all  this  SHINDY  over  at  Greatorex 
and  Greatorex "s." 

1 889.  Cassetts  Sat.  //. ,  19  Jan. ,  398. 
It  was  safe  to  prophecy  that  there  would 
shortly  be  a  SHINDY  somewhere. 

1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack  Room  Bal- 
lads, '  The  Legend  of  Evil.'  He  wint  to 
stop  the  SHINDY,  The  Devil  wid  a  stable- 
fork  bedivillin*  their  tails. 

1897.  MITFORD,  Romance  of  Cafe 
Frontier,  n.  iii.  Did  you  get  hit  in 
that  SHINDY  just  now? 

4.  (American). — A    liking;    a 
fancy. 

1859.  HALIBURTON,  Human  Nature, 
70.  Father  took  a  wonderful  SHINDY  to 
Jessie  ;  for  even  old  men  can't  help  liking 
beauty. 

SHINE,  subs,  (common). — I.  A 
happening  ;  a  TO-DO  (g.v.), 
whether  warlike  or  not  ;  speci- 
fically a  frolic.  Hence  (2)  = 
show,  or  display ;  and  (3)  a  row, 
a  SHINDY  (q.V.).  To  CUT  A 

SHINE  =  to  make  a  show  ;  EVERY 
SHINE  =  every  one.  As  verb.  = 
(i)  to  make  a  stir,  or  impression, 
and  (2)  to  raise  or  show  money  ; 

TO  TAKE  THE  SHINE   OUT  OF  = 

(i)  to  outwit,  and  (2)  put  in  the 
shade  ;  TO  SHINE  UP  (or  TAKE  A 
SHINE)  TO  =  to  make  oneself 
agreeable  ;  to  have  a  fancy  for. 

1818.  EGAN,  Boxiana,  i.  23.  Who 
was  selected  to  punish  this  Venetian  for 
his  vain-boasting,  that  he  would  TAKE  THE 
SHINE  OUT  OF  Englishmen  !  Ibid.  (1842), 
By-Blow  ofthejitg  {Captain  Macheatk}. 
To  the  end  of  your  life  CUT  A  SHINE. 


1835.  HALIBURTON,  Clockmaker 
i  S.,  xvi.  They  fairly  TAKE  THE  SHINE 
off  creation — they  are  actilly  equal  to  cash. 

1843.  Major  Jones's  Courtship,  ii. 
They  was  all  cornin'  to  me  bout  it,  and 
SHININ'  and  disputin'  so  I  couldn't  hardly 
hear  one  from  tother. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life.  To 
make  a  SHINE  with  Sally  I  took  her  a  new 


1847.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair,  n. 
xxv.    A  long,  thin,  queer-looking,  oldish 
fellow  —  a  dry  fellow  though,  that  TOOK 
THE  SHINE  OUT  OP  a  man  in  the  talking 
line. 

1848.  BURTON,  Waggeries,  78.  Quite 
careless  as  to  what  '  didoes  and  SHINES  '  he 
might  cut  in  future. 

1848.  RUXTON,  Far  West,  13.  I  say. 
It  won't  SHINE,  and  whar's  the  dollars? 
Ibid.,  174.  You  can't  SHINE. 

1851.  COBB,  Mississippi  Scenes,  155. 
I'm  pretty  much  like  the  old  man,  only  I 
took  a  sort  o'  SHINE  to  old  Cass. 

1852.  DICKENS,  Bleak  House,  Ivii. 
There'd  be  a  pretty  SHINE  made  if  I  was 
to  go  a-wisitin  them,  I  think." 

1853.  Diogenes,  n.  46.     And  TAKE 
OUT  THEIR  SHINE  With  a  jolly  large  fine. 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons,  i.  I've  seen 
some  evening  twilights  that  TAKE  THE 
SHINE  OFF  everything  below. 


Sp.    of    Times 
You    will    find    heaps   of 


£.1859.      New     York 
[BARTLETT].      You    will  p     o 

bogus  money  here,  but  bogus  men  CAN'T 
SHINE. 

1861.  KINGSLEY,  Ravenshoe,  xli. 
There's  mostly  a  SHINE  of  a  Sunday  even- 
ing. 

1864.  Hertford  Post,  14  July.  The 
public  .  .  .  will  pronounce  her  the  finest 
and  most  comfortable  boat  they  have  ever 
visited,  and  be  satisfied  that  she  is  bound 

TO  SHINE* 

1866.  Major  D  owning'  s  Letters,  37. 
I'm  sorry  he  didn't  bring  his  pitch-pipe 
with  him,  just  to  take  the  SHINE  of  them 
'are  singers. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  235.  She 
needn't  think  she's  goin'  to  come  round 
me  with  any  o'  her  SHINES,  .  .  .  with 
lying  stories  about  me. 

1883.  T.  WINTHROP,  John  Brent,  1  7 
I've  TUK  A  middlin'  SHINE  TO  you,  and 
don't  want  to  see  yer  neck  broke. 


Shiner. 


Shingle. 


1886.  Congregationalist,  4  Feb. 
Mother  was  always  hecterin'  me  about 
getting  married,  and  wantin'  I  should 
SHINE  up  to  this  likely  girl  and  that. 

1886.  McCuNTOCK,  Beetle's  Marr. 
I  TOOK  A  great  SHINE  TO  the  schoolma'am. 

4.  (common).  —  Money  :    ge- 
neric: see  RHINO. 

1842.  EGAN,  Bould  Yeoman  [Captain 
Macheath],  Then  the  High-toby  gloque 
drew  his  cutlass  so  fine  ;  Says  he  to  the 
farmer,  you  or  I  for  the  SHINE. 

5.  (venery). — In  pi.  —  copula- 
tion :  see  GREENS  and  RIDE. 

6.  (military). — A    flash  :  e.g., 
from  a  rifle. 

1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack  Room  Bal- 
lads, '  The  Young  Brotish  Soldier.'  Shoot 
low  at  the  limbers  an1  don't  mind  the 


SHINER,  suds.  (old). — A  coin: 
spec,  a  gold  piece.  In  pi.  — 
money  :  generic  :  Also  SHINO 
and  SHINERY. 

1760.  FOOTE,  The  Minor,  ii.  To  let 
a  lord  of  lands  want  SHINERS,  'tis  a  shame. 

1781.  MESSINK,  Choice  of  Harlequin. 
'Ye  Scamps,  &c.'  First  you  touch  the 
SHINERS. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  27.  Who 
knows  but  if  coax'd  he  may  shell  out  the 

SHINERS. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  in.  i. 
But  when  from  his  pocket  the  SHINERS  he 
drew,  And  offered  to  '  make  up  the  hun- 
dred to  two.' 

1839.  DICKENS,  Oliver  Twist,  xix. 
'  Fagin,'  said  Sykes,  .  .  .  '  is  it  worth 
fifty  SHINERS  extra,  if  it's  sately  done  from 
the  outside  ? ' 

1848.  DURIVAGE,  Stray  Subjects,  82. 
In  one  corner  .  .  .  was  stowed  away  a 
goodly  quantum  of  the  SHINERS. 

1857.  READE,  Never  too  Late  to 
Mend,  i.  We'll  soon  fill  both  pockets 
with  the  SHINERV  in  California. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  ' Pomes'  front 
the  Pink  '  Un,  8.  I  don't  want  a  SHINER 
that's  only  splashed, 


1892.  CHEVALIER,  Idler,  June,  540. 
I've  got  a  little  nipper,  when  'e  talks,  I'll 
lay  yer  forty  SHINERS  to  a  QUID,  You'll  take 
'im  for  the  father,  me  the  kid. 

1890.  Detroit  Free  Press,  10  May. 
Come,  down  with  the  SHINO. 

2.  (old).  —  A    looking  -  glass 
(GROSE  and  VAUX). 

3.  (common). — A  silk  hat. 

1885.  FRANCIS,  On  Angling,  179. 
A  tall  black  hat,  or  one  of  the  genus  called 
SHINER,  I  do  not  recommend. 

1^02.  D.  Telegraph,  31  Oct.  10,  6. 
The  little  man  with  the  tall  SHINER. 

4.  (old). — A  clever  fellow. 

5.  (tailors'). — A  boaster.    Also 
SHINE  =  to  boast. 

THE  SHINERS,  subs,  (military). 
— The  Northumberland  Fusiliers, 
formerly  The  5th  Foot.  [From 
smart  appearance  at  the  time  of 
The  Seven  Years'  War.] 

SHINE-  (or  SHINEY-)  RAG.  To 
WIN  THE  SHINE-RAG,  verb.  phr. 
(old). — See  quot. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  20 
He  lost  again,  and  some  one  bantering 
said,  'You'll  WIN  THE  SHINE-RAG,  Joe,' 
meaning  that  he  would  be  '  cracked  up,' 
or  ruined,  if  he  continued. 

SHIN  FEAST,  subs,  (provincial). — A 
good  fire  (HALLIWELL). 

SHINGLE,  subs.  (American).  —  A 
signboard.  To  HANG  OUT  (or 

STICK    UP)    ONE'S  SHINGLE  =  to 

start   business;    SHINGLE-SPLIT- 
TING (obs.  Tasmanian),  see  quot. 

1830.  Hobart  Town  Almanack,  89. 
When  a  man  gets  behindhand  with  his 
creditors  .  .  .  and  rusticates  in  the 
country  ...  he  is  said  to  be  SHINGLE- 
SPLITTING. 

1848.  N.Y.  Com.  Adv.,  24  Dec. 
Doctors  and  dentists  from  the  U.  S.  have 

STUCK  UP  THEIR  SHINGLES  in  Mexico. 

1852.  FUDSON,  Myst.  q/  New  York, 
xiv.  The  legal  gentleman  had  no  par- 
ticular office,  nor  HUNG  he  OUT  A  SHINQLR 
Anywhere, 


Shingle-tramper.          1 79 


Shinscraper. 


1884.  BELLAMY,  Dr.  Heidenhojff's 
Process,  99.  There  was  a  modest  SHINGLE 
bearing  the  name  '  Dr.  Gustav  Heidenhoff' 
fastened  up  on  the  side  of  the  bouse. 

Verb,  (common).    To  chastise. 

TO   HAVE    A  SHINGLE   SHORT, 

verb.  phr.    (Australian). — To  be 
crazy  ;  to  have  a  tile  loose. 

SHINGLE-TRAMPER,      subs.     phr. 
(nautical). — A  coastguardsman. 

SHINING-LIGHT,  subs.  phr.   (com- 
mon).— An  exemplar. 

tt.i7o6.  BURNS,  Holy  Willys  Prayer. 
2.  A  burnin'  and  a  SHININ'  LIGHT  To  a' 
this  place. 

1892.  SaZa's  Jour.,  2  July,  220. 
They  are  simply  following  the  example  of 
other  SHINING  LIGHTS  in  the  profession. 

SHINKIN-AP-MORGAN,  subs.  phr. 
(old)  —A  Welshman. 

c.i  660.  Broadside  Ballad,  'A  Beggar 
I'll  Be  '  [FARMER,  Musa  Pedestris  (1896), 
29].  With  SHINKIN-AP-MORGAN,  with 
Blue-cap,  or  Teague,  We  into  no  Covenant 
enter,  nor  League. 

SKINNER,  subs.  (old).     See  quots. 

1585.  Nomenclator,  167.  An  hose, 
a  nether  stocke,  a  SHINNEK. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes. 
Calcetle,  hosen,  or  neather  stockings,  or 

SHINNERS. 

See  SHIN,  verb. 

SHINNY  (or  SHINY),  adj.  (Ameri- 
can).— Drunk:  see  SCREWED. 

SHIN  PLASTER,    subs.   (American). 
— See  quot.  i8qo. 

1838.  NEAL,  Charcoal  Sketches, 
II.  23.  If  you  have  no  brass  and  no  tin, 
give  us  a  SHINPLASTER  then — them's  my 
terms. 

1845.  New  Vork  Tribune,  3  Dec. 
The  people  may  whistle  for  protection, 
and  put  up  with  what  SHINPLASTER  rags 
they  can  get. 

1848.  DURIVAGE,  Stray  Subjects, 
135.  The  cards  were  dealt,  a  brace  of 
bands  were  played,  and  I  won  his  '  Red 

Dog'   SHINPLASTER. 


1848.  LOWELL,  Biglow  Papers  .  .  . 
If  greenbacks  ain't  not  just  the  cheese,  I 
guess  there's  evils  that's  extremer ;  For 
instance,— SHINPLASTER  idees,  Like  them 
put  out  by  Gov'nor  Seymour. 

1852.  L 'Allegro:  As  Good  as  a 
Comedy,  60.  A  greasy  citizen,  holding 
out  a  couple  of  SHINPLASTERS  of  single 
dollar  denomination. 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons,  I.  309.  Hope's 
brightest  visions  absquatulate  with  their 
golden  promises  before  the  least  cloud  of 
disappointment,  and  leave  not  a  SHIN- 
PLASTER  behind. 

1862.  Punch,  19  July,  Yankee 
Stories.  King  Dollar  'ginst  us  he  may 
turn,  But  we  have  King  SHINPLASTER. 

c.i  866.  The  Disseminator.  A  grocer 
of  New  York,  who  had  set  up  an  opposi- 
tion to  the  whole  batch  of  suspended 
banks,  found  his  SHIN-PLASTERS  returned- 
to  him  in  such  quantities,  that,  on  count- 
ing over  his  "  money,"  he  found  that  he 
had  redeemed  about  100  dols.  more  than 
he  had  ever  issued. 

1890.  Cent.  Diet.  s.v.  SHINPLASTER 
...  A  small  paper  note  used  as  money  ; 
a  printed  promise  to  pay  a  small  sum 
issued  as  money  without  legal  security. 
The  name  came  into  early  use  in  the 
United  States  for  notes  issued  on  private 
responsibility,  in  denominations  of  from 
three  to  fifty  cents,  as  substitutes  for  the 
small  coins  withdrawn  from  circulation 
during  a  suspension  of  specie  payments  ; 
people  were  therefore  obliged  to  accept 
them,  although  very  few  of  them  were 
ever  redeemed.  Such  notes  abounded 
during  the  financial  panic  beginning  with 
1837,  and  during  the  early  part  of  the 
Civil  War  of  1861-5.  After  the  latter 
period  they  were  replaced  by  the  frac- 
tional notes  issued  by  the  Government 
and  properly  secured,  to  which  the  name 
was  transferred. 

SHIN-RAPPER,  subs.  phr. 
(knackers').  —  i.  A  disabling 
blow  on  the  splint  bone  ;  also  (2) 
one  who  delivers  such  a  blow. 

1885.  D.  Tel.,  30  Sep.  Every 
great  stable  in  England  had  the  fear  of 
the  poisoner,  the  SHIN-RAPPER,  and  the 
nobbier  constantly  in  view. 

SHINSCRAPER,  subs,  (thieves').— 
The  treadmill  :  see  EVERLAST- 
ING-STAIRCASE. 


Ship. 


1 80 


Shirallee. 


SHIP,  subs,  (printers'  colloquial). — 
A  body  of  compositors  working 
together ;  one  acts  as  clicker, 
takes  charge  and  makes  out  the 
general  bill  which  is  shared  and 
shared  alike.  [An  abbreviation 
of  "companionship."] 

Verb,  (common.) — I.    To  dis- 
miss; TO  SACK   (q.V.)     Also  (2) 
to  expel ;   to   rusticate    (Ameri- 
can  Univ.);    (3)    to  turn  out  of 
bed,  mattress  on  top  (Sherborne 
School) ;   and    (4)  to  turn  back 
in  a  lesson  (Shrewsbury  School). 
_  1857.       TROLLOPE,     Three     Clerks, 
xviii.       I'm    to    stay   at    the    office    till 
seven  o'clock  for  a  month,  and  old  Fools- 
cap says  he'll  SHIP  me  the  next  time  I'm 
absent  half-an-hour  without  leave. 

SHIP  BLOWN  UP  AT  POINT 
NONPLUS, />fcr.  (old). — 'Exempli- 
fies the  quietus  of  a  man  when 
plucked  penniless ;  or,  genteelly 
expelled.  Oxf.  Univ.  cant' 
(GROSE). 

See  ANNO  DOMINI  ;  HOME  ; 
PUMP. 

SHIP- HUSBAND,   subs.  phr.    (nau- 
tical).— See  quot. 
^1842.     MARRY  AT,   Percival    Keene, 
xviii.      He  was,  as  we  use  the  term  at 
sea,  a  regular  SHIP-HUSBAND— that  is  to 
say,  he  seldom  put   his  foot  on    shore  ; 
and  if  he  did,  he  always  appeared  anxious 
to  get  on  board  again. 

SHIP-IN-FULL-SAIL,  subs.  phr. 
(rhyming). — A  pot  of  ale. 

SHIP  OF  THE  DESERT,  subs,  phr. 
(common). — A  camel. 

1869.  Notes  and  Queries,  4  S.  iv. 
3  July,  10.  By  whom  was  the  camel 
first  called  "THE  SHIP  OF  THE  DESERT  ?  " 

SHIP-SHAPE,  adj.  (colloquial).  — 
Spick  and  span  ;  smart  above  and 
below  :  originally  SHIP-SHAPE 
AND  BRISTOL  FASHION.  [Bris- 
tol's fame  as  a  port  in  early  days 
was  far  higher  than  now]  (GROSE). 


1835.  DANA,  Bejore  the  Mast,  25 
Aug.  Everything  was  SHIP-SHAPE  AND 
BRISTOL  FASHION.  There  was  no  rust,  no 
dirt,  no  rigging  hanging  slack,  no  fag  ends 
of  ropes  and  '  Irish  pendants  '  aloft,  and 
the  yards  were  squared  '  to  a  t '  by  lifts 
and  braces. 

1848.  DICKENS,  Dombey  and  Son, 
xxiii.  Wal'r  will  have  wrote  home  .  .  . 
and  made  all  taut  and  SHIP-SHAPE. 

1874.  E.  L.  LINTON,  Patricia  Kern- 
ball,  ii.  Though  we  can  go  on  very  well 
as  we  are,  she  must  have  everything  SHIP- 
SHAPE and  nice  when  she  comes. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Mirror,  3  Jan.  7,  2. 
No  time  was  lost  in  putting  the  ring  SHIP- 
SHAPE. 


SHIRK,  verb.  (Eton  College  :  obso- 
lete).— See  quot. 

1857-64.  BRINSLEY  RICHARDS,  Seven 
Years  at  Eton  (1883).  SHIRKING  was  a 
marvellous  invention.  Fellows  were  al- 
lowed to  boat  on  the  river,  but  all  the 
approaches  to  it  were  out  of  bounds  ;  we 
might  walk  on  the  terrace  of  Windsor 
Castle,  but  it  was  unlawful  to  be  caught  in 
the  streets  of  Windsor  which  led  to  the 
terrace  ...  If,  out  of  bounds,  you  saw  a 
master  coming,  you  had  to  SHIRK,  which 
was  done  by  merely  stepping  into  a  shop. 
The  master  might  see  you  but  he  was  sup- 
posed not  to  see  you.  The  absurdity  was 
.  .  .  that  to  buy  anything  in  the  shops  in 
High  Street,  where  all  the  school  trades- 
men dwelt,  we  were  obliged  to  go  out  of 
bounds. 

To  SHIRK  IN,  verb.  phr.  (Win- 
chester).— To  walk  into  water  in- 
stead of  plunging.  To  SHIRK 
OUT  =  to  go  out  contrary  to  rules. 
Whence  SHIRKSTER  =  one  who 
shirks. 


SHIRKER,  subs,  (hunting). — One 
who  prefers  the  road  to  cross- 
country riding :  cf.  SKIRTER. 

1885.  Field,  4  Ap.  Once  in  a  way 
the  roadsters  and  SHIRKERS  are  distinctly 
favoured. 

SHIRALLEE,  subs.  (Australian). — 
SWAG  (q.v.};  a  bundle  of 
blankets. 


Shirt. 


181 


Shit. 


SHIRT.  To  GET  ONE'S  SHIRT  OUT 
(or  LOSE  ONE'S  SHIRT),  verb.phr. 
(common). — To  make  (or  get) 
angry.  Hence,  SHlRTY=angry, 
ill-tempered. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lat>.,\\\. 
147.  They  knocked  his  back  as  they  went 
over,  and  he  got  SHIRTEY. 

1897.  MAUGHAM,  Liza  of  Lambeth, 
Hi.  You  ain't  SHIRTY  'cause  I  kissed  yer  ? 

COLLOQUIALISMS.  — To  BET 
ONE'S  SHIRT  (or  PUT  ONE'S 
SHIRT  ON)  =  to  risk  all ;  TO  FLY 

ROUND  AND  TEAR  ONE'S  SHIRT 

=to  bestir  oneself;  SHIRT  (or 
FLAG)  IN  THE  WIND  =  a  frag- 
ment seen  through  the  fly,  or 
through  a  hole  in  the  breech ; 
*  THAT'S  UP  YOUR  SHIRT'  = 
'  That's  a  puzzler  for  you '  ;  '  Do 
AS  MY  SHIRT  DOES '  =  '  Kiss 

my  arse  ! ' 

c.  1 707.  Ballad  q/  Old  Proverbs  [  D  u  R- 
FEY,  Pills,  &c.  (1707)],  ii.  112.  But  if  she 
prove  her  self  a  Flurt,  Then  she  may  DO 

AS  DOES  MY  SHIRT. 

See  also  BOILED  SHIRT;  BLOODY 
SHIRT  ;  HISTORICAL  (or  ILLUS- 
TRATED) SHIRT. 


SHIRT-SLEEVIE,  subs.  phr.  (Stony- 
hurst).  —  A  dance  :  on  winter 
Saturday  evenings,  and  sometimes 
in  the  open  air  at  the  end  of  sum- 
mer term.  [The  costume  is 
an  open  flannel  shirt  and  flannel 
trousers.  ] 

SHISE.    See  SHICE. 

SHIT  (or  SHITE),  subs,  (vulgar).— 
Excrement  :  as  verb.  =  to  ease  the 
bowels.  Whence,  SHIT  =  violent 
abuse  :  generic.  Thus  SHITSACK 
=  (i)  'a  dastardly  fellow,'  and  (2) 
a  Nonconformist  (GROSE) :  also 
SHIT-STICKS,  SHIT-RAG,  SHIT- 
FELLOW,  £c.  ;  SHITTEN  =  worth- 


less,   contemptible ;      SHIDDLE- 

CUM-SHITE  (SHITTLE-CUM-SHAW 

or  SHITTLETIDEE)  =  nouns  or 
exclamations  of  contempt ;  SHIT- 
FIRE  =  a  bully ;  SKITTERS  =  the 
diarrhoea ;  SHIT-BAG  =  the  belly : 
in//.  =  the  guts  ;  SHIT-HOUSE  = 
a  privy  ;  SHIT- POT  =  a  rotten  or 
worthless  humbug ;  SHIT-HUNTER 
(or  STIR-SHIT)  =  a  sod ;  SHIT- 
SHARK  =  a  gold-finder  ;  SHIT- 
SHOE  (or  SHIT-SHOD)  =  derisive 
to  one  who  has  bedaubed  his 
boot ;  SHIT-HOLE  =  the  rectum  ; 

and     TO     SHIT     THROUGH     THE 

TEETH  =  to  vomit.  Also  PRO- 
VERBS and  PROVERBIAL  SAY- 
INGS :  '  SHITTEN-CUM-SHITE'S 
the  beginning  of  love'  (pro- 
verbial) ;  '  Wish  in  one  hand  and 
SHIT  in  the  other,  and  see  which 
will  first  fill'  ;  '  Only  a  little 
clean  SHIT  (Scottict,  '  clean 
dirt ') ' :  derisive  to  one  bedaubed 
or  bewrayed  ;  '  He  (she,  or  it) 
looks  as  though  the  Devil  had 
SHIT  'em  flying ' :  of  things  and 
persons  mean,  dwarfed,  eccentric, 
or  ridiculous  ;  '  Like  SHIT  (stick- 
ing) TO  A  SHOVEL'  :  very  adhesive 
indeed  ;  '  To  swallow  a  sovereign 
and  SHIT  it  in  silver'  =  the 
height  of  convenience ;  '  SHIT  in 
your  teeth '  (old)  =  a  foul  retort 
on  somebody  who  does  not  agree 
with  you  ;  *  It  shines  like  a 
SHITTEN  barn-door'  (GROSE)  ; 
'All  is  not  butter  the  cow 
SH — TS '  ;  '  Claw  a  churl  by  the 
breech  (or  culls — JONSON)  and 
he'll  SH —  in  your  fist';  'The 
devil  SH — s  upon  a  great  heap ' ; 
'SHITTEN  luck's  good  luck'; 
'  Lincolnshire,  where  hogs  SH — 
soap,  and  crows  SH —  fire  ' ;  '  Go 
and  eat  coke  and  SHIT  cinders' 
(popular)  =  derisive  and  defiant ; 
'  Thought  lay  abed  and  SHIT 
himself,  and  thought  he  hadn't 
done  it.' 


Skit. 


182 


Shivaroo. 


1576.  Merit  Tales  of  Skelton,  ix. 
Skelton  then  caste  downe  the  clothes,  and 
the  frere  dyd  lye  starke  naked  :  then  Skel- 
ton dyd  SHITE  vpon  the  freeres  nauil. 

1598.  FLORID,  Worlde  of  Wordes. 
Dometa,  an  old  worde  for  a  SMITTEN  fel- 
l»w,  or  good  man  turde,  for  meta  is  a  heape 
of  turde.  Ibid.,  Cacastraccie,  a  SHITE- 
RAGS,  an  idle  laxie  fellow.  Ibid.,  Cocas- 
tecchi  ...  a  SHITE-STICKS. 

<r.i6oo.  MONTGOMERY,  Poems  [S.T.S.], 
I.  85,  'Fly ting.'  Halland-shaker,  draught- 
raiker,  bannock-baiker,  ale-BESHiTTEN. 

c.i6i6.  JONSON,  Epigrams,  'On  the 
Famous  Voyage.'  Alas !  they  will  BE- 
SHITE  us.  Ibid.  And  in  so  SHITTEN  sort 
so  long  had  used  him. 

16  [?].  TAYLOR  and  SHIPMAN,  Gro- 
biana's  Nuptials,  Sc.  7  [MS.(Bodleian)3o, 

leaf  2l].  Is  SHITTEN  CUM  SHITES  THE  BE- 
GINNINGS OF  LOVE  ?  why  then,  Tantoblin, 
thou  art  happye,  Grobiana's  thyne,  the 
proverbe  gives  it  thee. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  I.  iv. 
Such  SHITTEN  stuff!  Ibid.,  I.  xi.  He 
pissed  in  his  shoes,  SHIT  in  his  shirt,  and 
wiped  his  nose  on  his  sleeve. 

1656.  Muses  Recr.  [HOTTEN],  24. 
Here  have  I  seen  old  John  Jones,  From 
this  hill,  SHITE  to  yonder  stones. 

1658.  PHILLIPS,  Mysteries  of  Love 
and  Eloquence,  169.  Q.  Why  is  '  sweet 
mistress  so  usual  a  complement  ?  ^.lie- 
cause  SHITTEN  COMES  SHITES  IS  THE 
BEGINNING  OF  LOVE. 

1662.  Rump  Songs,  ii.  3.  That  of 
all  kinds  of  Luck,  SHITTEN  LUCK  is  the 
best.  Ibid.,  ii.  24.  For  it  SHIT  from  Ports- 
mouth to  Wallingford  House. 

1664.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie  (ist 
ed.),  97.    The  SHIT-BREECH'D  elfe  Would 
shoot  like  Robin-Hood  himself. 

1665.  PEPYS,  Diary,  6  Ap.     Sir  G. 
Carteret  .  .  .  called  Sir  W.  Batten  in  his 
discourse  at  the  table  to  us  ...  SHITTEN 
FOOLE,  which  vexed  me. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
[  Works  (1725)  80].  Among  his  Mates,  and 
wishes  rather,  (And  so  the  Strippling  told 
his  Father)  For  noughty  Vermin  that 
would  bite  him,  Or  Throstle  Neast  though't 
did . 

1647-80.  ROCHESTER,  The  Restora- 
tion. Made  them  SHIT  as  small  as  rats. 

^.1704.  T.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  180. 
Knocking  a  SHITING  porter  down  ...  in 
his  own  sir-reverence1. 


<  1706.  WARD,  Wooden  World,  69.  'A 
Sailor.'  No  man  can  ever  have  a  greater 
contempt  for  Death,  for  every  day  he  con- 
stantly SHITS  on  his  own  grave.  Ibid. 
(1718),  Helter  Skelter.  I  say,  sir,  you're 
a  mean  SHIT-FIRE. 

1707.  Old  Ballad,  '  As  the  Fryer  he 
Went  along '  [DURFEY,  Pills,  &c.  (1707), 

111.  130].     The   Maid   she  SH ,  and  a 

Jolly  brown  T out  of  her  Jolly  brown 

Hole. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
ii.  The  young  Gentlewoman  is  his  Sweet- 
heart ;  .  .  .  They  say  in  our  Country,  that 
SHITTEN-CUM-SH1TE  IS  THE  BEGINNING  OF 
LOVE. 

c.1710.  Broadside  Song,  'The  Lass 
with  the  Velvet  Arse'  [FARMER,  Merry 
Songs  and  Ballads  (1897),  i.  214].  When 

E'er  she  went  to  SH If  twas  ne'er  such 

a  little  bit  ...  She  always  wiped  it  with 
brown  Paper. 

£.1714.  SWIFT,  Miscell.,  '  On  the  Dis- 
covery of  the  Longitude.'  Now  Ditton 
and  Whiston  may  both  be  be-pist  on,  And 
Whiston  and  Ditton  may  both  be  BE-SHIT 
on. 

1719.    DURFEY,  Pills  to  Purge,  iv. 

112.  SHITTEN  COME  SHITE  THE  BEGIN- 
NING OF  LOVE  is,  And  for  her  Favour  I 
care  not  a  Pin. 

£•.1731.     Windsor   Medley,   13.      How 

the  old  Proverb  lyes,  that  says,  SH N 

LUCK'S  good. 

3.1749.  ROBERTSON  of  Struan,  Poems. 
To  be  strain'd  in  Marriage-Press  Is 
honourable  ...  I  confess,  But  never  when 
the  Bed's  BESHIT. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
96.  May  I  be  trampl'd,  pist,  and  SH— T 
on,  If  I  don't  think  you're  right. 

1787.  BURNS,  Death,  and  Dr.  Horn- 
book. Just  SHIT  in  a  kail-blade  and  send't. 

1826.  BURTON,  Mugging-  Maid 
[Univ.  Songst.,  iii.  103.  Why  lie  ye  in 

that  ditch,  so  snug,  With  s and  filth 

bewrayed. 

1838.    LUCIAN  REDIVIVUS,  Paradise 

Lost,   80.     Fearing  he  had  himself. 

Ibid.,  82.     Don't  make  a  bother,  Wish  in 

one  hand,  and in  t'other,  And  which 

will  fill  the  first,  says  I,  You'll  soon  dis- 
cover if  you  try. 

SHIVAROO,    subs.     (Australian). — 
A  spree  :  see  quot. 

1888.  Bulletin,  6  Oct.  Both  these 
fair  Toby  Tosspots  are  well-known  in  the 
Upper  Circles  of  the  Beautiful  Harbour, 
and  are  seen  at  Government  House  SHIVA- 
ROOS  with  the  regularity  of  clockwork. 


Shiver. 


183 


Shoe. 


SHIVER,    subs,   (colloquial). 
//.  =  the  ague ;  chills. 

See  BEAT  and  TIMBERS. 

SHIVERING    JEMMY  (or    JAMES), 

subs.  phr.  (streets'). — See  quot. 

1887.  Standard,  20  June,  5,  2.  The 
half-hearted  beggars  .  .  .  are  the  '  Shal- 
low Coves'  and  SHIVERING  JEMMIES  of 
London  slang. 

1900.  FLYNT,  TRAMPS,  240.  One 
day  he  is  a  'shallow  cove'  or  a  SHIVER- 
ING-JIMMY. 

SHIVERY-SHAKY,  adv.  phr.  (com- 
mon).—  Trembling;  SHI  VERY - 
SHAKES  =  chills. 

1864.  Derby -day,  54.  He's  all 
SHIVERY-SHAKY,  as  if  he'd  got  the  staggers, 
or  the  cold  shivers. 

SHO,  intj.  (American). — Pshaw  ! 

1851.  SEAWORTHY,  Bertie,  36. 
'True,  as  my  name's  James  Ragsdale>' 
'SHO  !' 

SHOARD.  To  TAKE  A  SHOARD, 
verb.  phr.  (provincial). — To  get 
tipsy  :  see  SCREWED. 

SHO  AT  (or  SHOTE),  subs.  (Ameri- 
can).— See  quots. 

i8[?J.  HILL,  Stories  [BARTLETT]. 
Seth  Slope  was  what  we  call  Down  East  a 
poor  SHOTE,  his  principal  businesss  being 
to  pick  up  chips,  feed  the  hogs,  &c. 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons  [BARTLETT]. 
If  you  .  .  .  make  a  proper  use  of  your 
time,  happiness,  peace,  and  contentment 
are  yours ;  if  not,  you  will  always  be 
miserable  SHOATS. 

SHOCK,  subs.  (B.  E.,  ^.1696).— '  A 
Brunt.  To  stand  the  SHOCK,  to 
bear  the  brunt.'  SHOCKING, 
what  is  offensive,  grating,  griev- 
ous, and  espec.  indecent. 

SHOCKER,  subs,  (common). — Any- 
thing to  surprise  or  startle.  See 
SHILLING  SHOCKER. 

1898.  GOULD,  Golden  Ruin,  vii. 
'  This  is  a  surprise  .  .  .  but  I  am  heartily 
glad  to  see  you  '  .  .  .  '  Thought  I  should 
give  you  a  SHOCKER.' 

SHOCKING,    See  HAT. 


In       SHOD.    See  SHOE. 


SHODDY,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  i. 
Old  material — cloth,  rags,  &c. — 
ground  up  or  shredded,  and  re- 
woven  with  a  new  warp.  Hence 
(2)  anything  of  poor  quality  or 
pretentious  reputation  :  spec,  (in 
derision)  a  workman  in  a  woollen 
factory.  Also  as  adj.  =  sham. 
Also  derivatives  such  as 

SHODDYITE,    SHODDYISE,    &C. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lot., 
ii.  34.  The  fabric  thus  snatched,  as  it 
were,  from  the  ruins  of  cloth,  is  known  as 
SHODDY. 

1864.  Spectator,  355.  The  mixture 
of  good  wool  and  rotten  SHODDY  we  call 
broad-cloth. 

1869.  FROUDE,  Address  at  St. 
Andrews,  12  Mar.  We  have  false 
weights,  false  measures,  cheating  and 
SHODDY  everywhere. 

1871.  LOWELL,  Study  Windows,  56. 
A     horrible    consciousness     of    SHODDY 
running  through    politics,    manners,   art, 
literature,  nay,  religion  itself. 

1872.  Ev.  Standard,  n  Dec.     '  Ag. 
Lab.  Movement.'    There  were  things  that 
Parliament   could  do.      It  could  abolish 
the  truck  system,  whether  in  SHODDY  or 
in  cider,  and  could  provide   that  money 
should  be  paid  in  the  coin  of  the  realm. 

1880.  OUIDA,  MotJts,   vii.     In  New 
York  she  and  hers  were  deemed  SHODDY 
— the  very  SHODDIEST  of   SHODDY — and 
were  looked  coldly  on,  and  were  left  un- 
visited. 

1881.  D.    M.     WALLACE,    Russia, 
176.     The      Russian    merchant's     osten- 
tion    is    ...     entirely      different     from 
English  snobbery  and  American  SHODDY- 
ISM  .  .  .     He  never    affects  to  be  other 
than  he  really  is. 

1883.  Belfast  Weekly  Northern 
Whig,  \  Feb.  i,  9.  Cloaks  lined  with 
ostrich  feathers  are  now  in  style,  but  the 
worst  of  this  fashion  is  that  if  a  woman 
leaves  it  unbuttoned,  she  is  accounted  a 
SHODDYITE,  more  anxious  for  vulgar  dis- 
play than  comfort,  while  if  she  keeps  it 
buttoned  it  might  just  as  well  be  lined 
with  red  flannel  for  no  one  can  see  it. 

1889.  Academy,  n  May,  325. 
Philosophic  SHODDY. 

SHOE,  subs,  (old  local).-— A  room 
in  Southgate  Debtors'  Prison. 


Shoe. 


184 


Shoe. 


PHRASES,  COLLOQUIALISMS, 
and  PROVERBIAL  SAYINGS— To 
WIN  ONE'S  SHOES  (old  tourna- 
ment)—to  vanquish  one's  adver- 
sary ;  TO  DIE  IN  ONE'S  SHOES 
(or  BOOTS)  =  to  be  hanged  :  see 
LADDER;  TO  SHOE  THE  WILD 
COLT  =  to  be  initiated,  '  to  exact 
FOOTING  '  (q.v.) ;  also  TO  SHOE  ; 
TO  SHOE  ALL  ROUND  =  to  pro- 
vide hat-band,  gloves,  and  scarf 
at  a  funeral ;  many  SHOEINGS 
being  only  partial  (GROSE) ;  TO 
MAKE  CHILDREN'S  SHOES  =  to 
look  ridiculous;  TO  LICK 
ONE'S  SHOES  =  to  fawn  on  ;  to 
cringe ;  TO  MAKE  FEET  FOR 
CHILDREN'S  SHOES  =  to  copu- 
late :  see  GREENS  AND  RIDE  ; 
IN  ANOTHER'S  SHOES  =  in  his 
place;  TO  PUT  THE  SHOE  ON 
THE  RIGHT  FOOT  =  to  lay  blame 
(or  praise)  where  justly  due  ;  TO 

TREAD  ONE'S  SHOE  STRAIGHT 
=  to  do  what  is  right  and  proper  ; 
TO  TREAD  ONE'S  SHOE  AWRY  =  ( I ) 
to  play  fast  and  loose  ;  and  spec. 
(2)  to  play  the  whore ;  TO  SHOE 
THE  GOOSE  =  to  undertake  any- 
thing absurd  or  futile  :  cf>  *  He 
that  will  meddle  with  all  things 
may  go  SHOE  THE  GOSLINS  ' ;  and 
(2)  to  get  tipsy  :  TO  SHOE  THE 
COBBLER  =  to  tap  the  ice  quickly 
with  the  forefoot  when  sliding : 
see  COBBLER'S-KNOCK  ;  TO  WAIT 
FOR  DEAD  MEN'S  SHOES  (see 
DEAD  MEN'S  SHOES)  ;  TO  THROW 
AN  OLD  SHOE  =  *  to  wish  them 
Luck  on  their  Business '  (B.  E.) ; 
'  THE  SHOE  PINCHES  (of  untoward 
circumstances  or  events) ;  also 
*  No  man  knows  where  THE 
SHOE  PINCHES  but  he  who  wears 

it'    (B.  E.)  ;   ANOTHER    PAIR   OF 

SHOES  =  something  quite  dif- 
ferent :  Fr.  une  autre  paire  de 
manches ;  OVER  SHOES,  OVER 
BOOTS  = '  in  for  a  sheep,  in  for  a 
lamb '  ;  '  ONE  SHOE  will  not  fit  all 


feet '  =  *  People  nor  circum- 
stances are  not  all  alike '  ;  *  He 
came  in  hosed  and  SHOD  '  = '  He 
was  born  to  a  good  estate.' 

[  ?  ]  MS.  Lincoln,  A.  i.  ij  f.  149. 
How  that  thir  Knyghtis  have  WONE 

THAIR  SCHONE. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Caste  Tales,  9426. 
I  wot  best,  wher  WRINGETH  ME  MY  SHO. 

^.1529.  SKELTON,  Colyn  Clout. 
What  hath  lay  men  to  do  THE  GRAY 

GOSE  FOR  TO  SHO. 

^•.1530.  Par  lament  of  Byrdes  [HAZ- 
LITT,  Early  Pop.  Poet.,  iii.  179].  Who 
wyll  smatter  what  euery  man  doose,  May 
go  helpe  TO  SHOO  THE  GOOSE. 

1546.  HEYWOOD,  46,  sign.  C. 
[NARES].  Now  for  good  lucke  CAST  AN 
OLD  SHOE  after  me. 

1573-9.  HARVEY,  Letters  [Camden 
Soc.  83  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  591. 
Men  know  where  THE  SHOE  PINCHETH  ; 
.  .  .  substituted  for  Chaucer's  wringetk], 

1606.  Ret.Jrom  Parnassus  [NARES]. 
Linden  may  shortly  THROW  AN  OLD  SHOE 
after  us. 

1609.  SHAKSPEARE,  Tempest,  iii.  2. 
How  does  thy  hohour.  Let  me  LICK  THY 

SHOE. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.  [HALLIWELL]. 
A  woman  to  play  false,  enter  a  man  more 
than  she  ought,  or  TREAD  HER  SHOOK 
AWRY. 

1613.  FLETCHER,  Honest  Man's 
Fort.,  v.  i.  Captain,  YOUR  SHOES 
are  old,  pray  put  them  off,  And  LET  ONE 
FLING  'em  after  us. 

1621.  JONSON,  Masque  of  Gypsies. 
Hard  AFTER  AN  OLD  SHOE,  I'll  be  merry. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  145.  For 
where  true  courage  roots,  The  proverb 
says,  ONCE  OVER  SHOES,  O'ER  BOOTS. 

1633.  MARMYON,  Fine  Compan. 
[NARES].  Well,  mistresse 


THROW  AN  OLD  SHOE  after  US. 


.    pray 


1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  iv., 
xlv.  [BoHN].  Whoever  refused  to  do 
this  should  presently  swing  for  it  and  DIE 

IN  HIS  SHOES. 

1663.  STAPYLTON,  The  Slighted 
Maid,  30.  I'll  THROW  MARC  ANTONY'S 
OLD  SHOE  after  you. 

1663.  KILLIGREW,  Parson's  Wed- 
ding [DoDSLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  xi. 
499],  Ay,  with  all  my  heart,  there's  AN 
OLD  SHOE  AFTER  YOU. 


Shoe-buckles. 


'85 


Shoemaker. 


1682.  BEHN,  Roundheads  .  .  . 
Hews.  "  Who,  pox !  shall  we  stand 
MAKING  CHILDREN'S  SHOES  all  the  year? 
No  :  let's  begin  to  settle  the  nation,  I  say, 
and  go  through-stitch  with  our  work." 

1708-10.    SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 

\.    Col. Mr.   Buzzard  has   married 

again  !    Lady  Smart.     This  is  his  Fourth 
Wife  ;  Then  he  has  been  SHOD  ROUND. 

</.i734.  NORTH,  Life  of  Lord  Guild- 
ford,  ii.  96.  He  used  to  say  George  (his 
son)  would  DIE  IN  HIS  SHOES. 

1742.  BRANSTON  [WALPOLE,  Lett,  to 
Mann  (1833),  I.  180].  At  the  end  of  the 
walk  hung  a  rogue  on  a  gibbet !  He 
beheld  it  and  wept,  for  it  caus'd  him  to 
muse  on  Full  many  a  Campbell,  that  DIED 

WITH  HIS  SHOES  ON. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  146.  I  promised  to  place  him  IN 
MY  LATE  MISTRESS'S  SHOES. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingold.  Leg.  And 
there  is  Sir  Carnaby  Jenks,  of  the  Blues, 
All  come  to  see  a  man  DIE  IN  HIS  SHOES. 

1842.  TAYLOR,  Edwin  the  Fair, 
iii.  8.  Not  alone  them  that  were  placed 
by  Edred  IN  THE  SHOES  of  seculars  that 
by  Edred  were  expulsed. 

1861.  DICKENS,  Great  Expectations 
. .  .  We'll  show  'em  ANOTHER  PAIR  OF 
SHOES  than  that,  Pip,  won't  us  ? 

1868.  BREWER,  Phrase  and  Fablt, 
s.v.  SHOEING  THE  WILD  COLT.  Exacting 
a  fine  called  '  footing '  from  a  new  comer, 
who  is  called  the  '  colt.'  Of  course,  the 
play  is  between  the  words  '  shoeing  '  and 
'  footing. ' 

SHOE  •  BUCKLES.      NOT   WORTH 

SHOE-BUCKLES,    phr.     (old).— Of 

little  account  (!<AY). 

SHOE-HORN,    verb.    (old).  —  To 
cuckold. 

£.1650.  BRATHWAYTE,  Barnaby's  Jl. 
1723),  45.  Venus  swore  .  .  .  She'd 
SHOOE-HORN  her  Vulcan's  Forehead. 

SHOEING-HORN,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  pretext  or  incitement. 

1562-3.      STILL,     Gammer   Gur ton's 


Shall  serve  as  a  SHOING-HORNE,  to  draw  on 
two  pots  of  ale. 


1592.  NASHE,  Pierce  Penilesse 
[Works,  ii.  81],  To  haue  some  SHOOING 
HORNE  to  pull  on  your  wine,  as  a  rasher  of 
the  coles,  or  a  redde  herring,  to  stirre  it 
about  with  a  candles  ende  to  make  it  taste 
better,  and  not  to  holde  your  peace  whiles 
the  pot  is  stirring. 

£.1620.  FLETCHER  and  MASSINGER, 
False  One,  iv.  2.  They  swear  they'll  flea 
us,  and  then  dry  our  quarters,  A  rasher  of 
a  salt  lover  is  such  a  SHOEING-HORN. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  246. 
By  little  and  little,  by  that  SHOEING-HORN 
of  idleness  .  .  .  melancholy  .  .  .  is  drawn 
on. 

16  [?].  Haven  of  Health,  cxxxii.  134. 
Yet  a  gamond  of  bacon  well  dressed  is  a 
good  SHOOING  HORN  to  pull  down  a  cup  of 
wine. 

_  c.i620.  Disc,  of  New  World,  68.  Then, 
sir,  comes  me  up  a  service  of  SHOOING- 
HORNES  (do  yee  see)  of  all  sorts  ;  salt-cakes, 
red  herrings,  anchoves,  and  gammons  of 
bacon — and  aboundance  of  such  pullers-on. 

1712.  Spectator,  No.  536.  Most  of 
our  fine  young  ladies  .  .  .  retain  in  their 
service,  by  some  small  encouragement,  as 
great  a  number  as  they  can  of  super- 
numerary and  insignificant  fellows,  which 
they  use  like  whifflers,  and  commonly  call 
SHOEING-HORNS.  These  are  never  designed 
to  know  the  length  of  the  foot,  but  only, 
when  a  good  offer  comes,  to  whet  and  spin 
him  up  to  the  point. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxiv. 
This,  and  some  other  desultory  conver- 
sation, served  as  a  SHOEING-HORN  to  draw 
on  another  cup  of  ale. 

SHOE-LEATHER  !  tntf.  (thieves'). — 
A  cry  of  warning ;  *  Look  out ! ' 
Fr.  'C&ou  !  chou  ! '  or  'Acresto  ! ' 

SHOEMAKER.  PHRASES,  &c.  'Who 
goes  worse  shod  than  the  SHOE- 
MAKER'S WIFE'  (B.  E.)  =  an 
excuse  for  the  lack  of  something 
one  ought  to  possess;  IN  THE 
SHOEMAKER'S  STOCKS  =  '  pincht 
with  straight  shoes '  (B.  E. )  ; 
SHOE-MAKER'S  PRIDE = creaking 
shoes;  SHOE-MAKER'S  HOLIDAY 
(see  quot.  1793,  an(*  '/•  CRISPIN'S 
HOLIDAY). 


Shoesmith, 


1 86 


Shoo. 


1793.  European  Mag.,  172.  There 
was  nothing  which  he  [Oliver  Goldsmith] 
enjoyed  better  than  what  he  used 
facetiously  to  term  a  SHOEMAKER'S  HOLI- 
DAY. .  .  .  Three  or  four  of  his  intimate 
friends  rendevoused  at  his  chambers  to 
breakfast  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  ; 
at  eleven  they  proceeded,  by  the  City  Road 
and  through  the  fields,  to  Highbury  Barn 
to  dinner  ;  about  six  o'clock  in  the  evening 
they  adjourned  to  White  Conduit  House  to 
drink  tea ;  and  concluded  the  evening  by 
supping  at  the  Grecian  or  Temple  Ex- 
change coffee  houses,  or  at  the  Globe  in 
Fleet  Street.  .  .  .  The  whole  expenses  of 
this  day's  fete  never  exceeded  a  crown,  and 
.  .  .  oftener  from  three-and-sixpence  to 
four  shillings,  for  which  the  party  obtained 
good  air  and  exercise,  good  living,  the 
example  of  simple  manners,  and  good 
conversation. 

SHOESMITH,  subs,  (colloquial).— 
A  cobbler. 

SHOESTRING,  subs.  (American). — 
A  small  bet  run  up  to  a  large 
amount. 

SHOFUL(SHOWFULL  or  SCHOFEL), 
subs,  and  adj.  (common).  — 
Generic  for  anybody  or  anything 
questionable.  Spec.  SHOFUL, 
subs.  =  (i)  base  money  (also  SHO- 
FUL MONEY)  :  whence  SHOFUL- 
PITCHER  =  a  dealer  in  counterfeit ; 

SHOFUL  -  PITCHING  =  SHOVING 
THE  QUEER  (^.Z/.)  J  SHOFUL- 

JEWELLERY  =  pinchbeck  gauds. 
Also  (2)  =  a  hansom  cab  (see  quot. 
1851),  and  SHOVEL  (g.v.). 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  i.  26. 
SHOWFULLS,  bad  money.  Ibid.,  i.  279. 
A  racketty  place,  sir  [of  a  beer-shop],  one 
of  the  SHOWFULLS  ;  a  dicky  one ;  a  free- 
and-easy.  Ibid.,  II.  554.  I  don't  think 
those  SHOFULS  (Hansoms)  should  be  al- 
lowed— the  fact  is,  if  the  driver  is  not  a  tall 
man  he  can't  see  his  horse's  head.  Ibid., 
in.  363.  The  Hansom's,  which  are  always 
called  SHOWFULLS  by  the  cabmen.  SHOW- 
FULL,  in  slang,  means  counterfeit,  and  the 
SHOWFULL  cabs  are  an  infringement  on 
Hansom's  patent.  Ibid.  (1856),  Gt.  World 
of  London,  47.  The  SHOFUL-MEN,  or 
those  who  plunder  by  counterfeits,  as 
coiners  and  forgers  of  checks  and  notes, 
and  wills. 


1866.  London  Miscellany,  3  Mar.,  57. 
That  ...  is  old  Finlaison  the  fence.  .  .  . 
He  used  to  be  a  SHOFUL  MAN  once — dealt 
in  bad  money,  you  know. 

1882.  SMYTHE-PALMER,  Folk-Ety- 
mology;  s.v.  SHOWFULL  or  SHOFUL.  A 
cant  term  which  originated  amongst  the 
Jews,  and  is  theHeb.  ShafaKptshaphat), 
low,  base,  vile,  the  word  which  David 
applied  to  himself  when  he  danced  before 
the  ark. 

1890.  Tit-Bits,  15  Mar.,  362.    There 
wasn't  a  SHOFUL  on  the  stand  ;  so  I  works 
the  oracle,  and  drives  him  off  easy. 

1891.  CAREW,  Auto,  of  a  Gipsy,  417. 
Palmer  got  down  and  heaved  the  sackful  o" 
SHOFUL  into  the  river  .  .  .  and  SHOFUL  it 
were  right  enough  hevery  bloomin'  bounce. 
Ibid.,    17.      SHOFUL-PITCHING,     fawney- 
rigging    and    the    thousand  and   one  in- 
genious devices  whereby  the  impecunious 
endeavour  to  augment  balances  at  their 
bankers. 

1897.  D.  Telegraph,  14  Sept,  9,  3. 
There  is  plenty  of  room  for  improvement 
in  the  accommodation  which  'growlers' 
and  SHOFULS  offer  to  the  bicycle. 

1899.  POT  and  SWEARS,  Scarlet  City, 
177.  When  I  had  despatched  the  tele- 
gram— I  found  Anthony  ensconced  in  what 
he  called  a  spicy  SHOWFUL. 

IQOI.  BINSTEAD,  More  Gats  Gossip, 
86.  He  stopped  the  shabby  SHOFUL. 

SHOG,  subs.  (old). — A  jog:  also  as 
verb.  —  to  be  off. 

1599.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hen.  V.,  ii.  3, 
47.  Shall  we  SHOG?  The  King  will  be 
gone  from  Southampton. 

S  H  0  L  L ,  verb,  (thieves').  —  To 
BONNET  (q.v.}  ;  to  crush  the  hat 
over  the  eyes. 

SHOO  !  intj.  (old).— Be  off!  Away  ! 
As  verb.  —  to  scare  away.  *  Can- 
not say  SHOOK  to  a  goose'  (RAY) 
=  a  retort  on  timidity  or  bashful- 
ness  :  see  BOH. 

1611.  FLORIO,  Worldc  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Scioare,  to  cry  SHOOE,  SHOOE,  as 
women  do  to  their  hens. 

1623.  FLETCHER  and  ROWLEY,  Maid 
in  the  Mill,  v.  i.  SHOUGH,  SHOUGH  i  up 
to  your  coop,  pea-hen. 


Shook  on. 


187 


Shoot. 


1883.  Century  Mag.,  xxxvii.  788. 
He  gave  her  an  ivory  wand,  and  charged 
her,  on  her  life,  to  tell  him  what  she  would 
do  with  it,  and  she  sobbed  out  she  would 
SHOO  her  mother's  hens  to  roost  with  it. 

SHOOK  ON.    See  SHAKE. 

SHOOL,  verb.  (old). — To  loaf;  to 
go  on  the  tramp ;  to  beg. 
Whence  SHOOLING  =  idling  ; 
SHOOLMAN  =  a  loafer  or  vagabond. 
Fr.  battre  saflSme. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Roderick  Random, 
xli.  They  went  all  hands  to  SHOOLING 
and  begging. 

c.i  750.  Humours  of  the  Fleet  [ ASH- 
TON,  Eighteenth  Cent.  Waifs,  247].  Now 
mean,  as  once  profuse,  the  stupid  sot  Sits 
by  a  Runner's  side,  and  SHULES  a  Pot. 

1842.  LOVER,  Handy  Andy,  xxxiv. 
1  Oh,  you  always  make  out  a  good  rayson 
for  coming  ;  but  we  have  nothing  for  you 
to-night.'  '  Throth,  you  do  me  wrong," 
said  the  beggar,  'if  you  think  I  came 

SHOOLING.' 

SHOON,  subs,  (thieves'). — A  fool; 
a  lout :  see  BUFFLE. 

SHOOT,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  A 
shooting  party. 

*573'  SIR  T.  MORE,  Cumfort  against 
Tribulation,  fol.  33.  We  shall  now  meat 
for  ye  SHOOT. 

1885.  Field,  4  Ap.  At  a  big  SHOOT 
in  Warwickshire. 

1887.  NORRIS,  Major  and  Minor, 
xxv.  At  the  great  SHOOTS  ...  he  was 
wont  to  be  present  with  a  walking-stick  in 
his  hand. 

2.  (builders'). — A  vacant  piece 
of  ground  :  where  rubbish  is  got 
rid  of. 

3.  (American). — A  fancy. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life.  That 
gal  was  the  prettyest  creatur  I  ever  took  a 
SHUTE  after. 

TO  SHOOT  A  BISHOP,  verb. 
phr.  (venery). — To  have  a  WET- 
PREAM  (q.V.)  :  also  TO  SHOOT. 


THE  SHOOT,  subs.  phr.  (Lon- 
don).— The  Wai  worth-road  sta- 
tion on  the  S.  E.  &  C.  Ry.  [A 
large  number  of  workpeople 
alight  there.] 

PHRASES. — SHOOT  as  a  generic 
verb  of  action  is  found  in  fre- 
quent combination  :  as  TO  SHOOT 
(JERK  or  WHIP)  THE  CAT  =  (i) 
to  vomit ;  see  CAT  (GROSE),  and 
(2)  to  sound  a  refrain  in  the 
infantry  bugle  call  to  defaulters' 
drill,  which,  it  is  fancied,  follows 
the  sound  of  the  words  'SHOOT 

THE     CAT— SHOOT     THE     CAT'  ; 
TO  SHOOT  THE  CROW  =  tO  run  oft 

without  paying,  TO  BILK  (q.v.)  ; 
TO  SHOOT  HORSES  (see  quot. 
1872) ;  TO  SHOOT  ONE'S  LINEN 
=  to  jerk  and  display  the  cuffs  ; 
TO  SHOOT  ONE'S  LINES  =  to  de- 
claim with  vigour ;  TO  SHOOT 
(BOLT  or  SHOVE)  THE  MOON  =  to 
remove  furniture  by  night  to  pre- 
vent seizure  for  rent  (GROSE) : 
see  MOON  ;  TO  SHOOT  ONE'S 
BOLT  =  to  exhaust  one's  credit  or 
resources,  to  come  to  an  end 
of  things;  TO  GO  THE  WHOLE 
SHOOT  =  to  risk  all ;  TO  SHOOT 
OFF  ONE'S  MOUTH  (or  JAW)  =  to 
abuse ;  TO  SHOOT  ONE'S  ROE  (or 
MILT) = to  emit ;  TO  DO  A  SHOOT 

UP  THE  STRAIGHT  =  to  pOSSCSS  a 

woman ;  TO  B E  SHOT  =  ( i )  to  make 
a  disadvantageous  bet  which  is  in- 
stantly accepted  (turf),  and  (2) 
to  be  photographed  (photo- 
graphers') :  see  SNAP-SHOT  ;  TO 
SHOOT  ON  THE  posT=to  make  a 
close  win  at  the  finish  ;  TO  SHOOT 

OVER  THE  PITCHER  =  to  brag   of 

one's  shooting ;  TO  SHOOT  ONE'S 
STAR  =  to  die ;  TO  SHOOT  THE 
SUN  =  to  determine  the  longitude 
(nautical)  ;  TO  SHOOT  ONE'S 
GRANNY  =  to  find  a  mare's  nest; 
to  be  disappointed  ;  TO  SHOOT 
THE  MARKET  (Stock  Exchange)  = 


Shoot. 


1 88 


Shootabout. 


*  to  make  a  man  a  close  price  in  a 
stock  without  knowing  if  there 
would  be  a  profit  or  loss  on  the 
bargain'  (ATKIN,  House  Scraps] ; 
SHOOT  THAT  [HAT,  MAN— any- 
thing] !  =  (i)  a  mild  impre- 
cation, *  Bother  ! ' ;  SHOOT  THAT  ! 
=  an  injunction  to  silence  :  e.g., 

SHOOT  THE  SHOP ;   to  SHOOT 

IN  THE  EYE  =  to  do  an  ill  turn  ; 

TO   BE  SHOT    IN    THE   NECK  =  tO 

be  drunk ;  TO  SHOOT  IN  THE 
TAIL  =  (I)  to  copulate,  and  (2)  to 
sodomise  ;  TO  SHOOT  TWIXT 

WIND   AND    WATER  =  to  pox  Or 

clap  (B.E.  and  GROSE);  and  (2) 
to  do  the  act  of  kind  :  also  as 
subs.  ;  '  I'LL  (or  MAY  I)  BE  SHOT 

IF '  =  a  mild  imprecation  or 

strenuous  denial.    See  also  SHOT. 

1695.  CONGREVE,  Love  for  Love,  iii. 
15,  'A  Soldier  and  a  Sailor'  [DURFEY, 
Pills  (1707),  i.  227].  And  then  he  let  fly  at 
her,  A  SHOT  'TWIXT  WIND  AND  WATER, 
Which  won  this  fair  Maid's  Heart. 

1706.  WARD,  Wooden  World,  45- 
1  The  Surgeon.'  His  Captain,  being  dis- 
abled by  some  unlucky  SHOT  'TWIXT 
WIND  AND  WATER,  repairs  to  him  for  a 
Refitment. 

1826.  BUXTON,  Luke  the  Labourer ; 
iii.  i.  Bob.  He,  he,  he  !  I'LL  BE  SHOT  IF 
Lunnun  temptation  be  onything  to  this. 

1837.  LYTTON,  Ernest  Maltravers, 
I.,  xv.  'Excuse — '  again  began  Mai- 
travers,  half  interested,  half  annoyed. 
'  I'LL  BE  SHOT  IF  I  do.  Come.' 

1853.  DICKENS,  Bleak  House,  vii. 
I'LL  BE  SHOT  IF  it  ain't  very  curious. 

1855.  Brooklyn  Journal,  18  Ap.  The 
prisoners  .  .  .  had  shot  Under-Sheriff 
Hegeman  in  the  head  .  .  .  Mr.  Schu- 
macher defended  his  client  by  observing 
that  some  of  the  attornies  got  as  often 
SHOT  IN  THE  NECK  as  the  Under-Sheriff 
did  in  the  bead. 

1867.  BARTLETT,  Americanisms, 
s.v.  SHOT.  A  slang  term  of  recent 
origin.  To  say,  '  SHOOT  THAT  DRESS,'  is 
meant  to  convey  the  idea  that  the  dress  is 
inferior  ;  that  it  is  not  worth  much  ;  or,  to 
use  another  slang  expression,  '  it  is  no 
great  shakes  '  after  all.  Ibid.  [Quotation 
from  Danbury  News.]  Mother.  Stand 


still,  Tommy,  or  I  won't  get  your  hair 
combed  in  time  for  school.  Tommy 
(superciliously).  Oh,  SHOOT  THE  SCHOOL. 
Ibid.,  New  York  Herald.  One  lady 
.  .  .  with  derisive  scorn  .  .  .  observed  in 
the  language  of  the  day,  '  Oh,  SHOOT  THAT 
HAT  1 ' 

1870.  New  Orleans  Picayune,  17 
Mar.  I  found  this  man  dead  drunk  in 
the  gutter  ...  he  offered  to  fight  me. 
saying  that  he  was  not  druqk,  but  only 

SHOT  IN  THE  NECK. 

1872.  Echo,  29  July,  '  Railway 
Porters'  Strike.'  The  prisoner  urged  the 
men  to  SHOOT  THE  HORSES  in  the  vans 
.  .  .  [i.e.]  to  take  the  horses  out  of  the 
vans  to  prevent  them  from  being  unloaded. 
Prisoner  was  told  if  he  had  any  grievances 
the  SHOOTING  OF  THE  HORSES  was  not  the 
way  to  redress  them. 

1876.  BURTON,  Songs  [BARTLETT]. 
The  slang  the  gang  is  using  now,  You'll 
hear  from  every  lip ;  It's  SHOOT  THB 
HAT  !  and  get  it  boiled  ;  And  don't  you 
lose  your  grip. 

1878.  YATES  [World,  16  Jan.]  Ad- 
just your  curls,  youR  LINEN  SHOOT, 
your  coat  wide  open  fling. 

1886.  Daily    News,   8    Oct.     The 
boy  who  won  never  did  anything  in  later 
life.     He  had  SHOT  HIS  BOLT. 

1887.  FRANCIS,    Saddle    and  Mo- 
cassin.     If  he  could  kill  Indians  SHOOT- 
ING OFF  HIS  MOUTH   at  them,  he'd  soon 
clean  them  out  all  there  is. 

1887.  Fun,  8  June.  246.  A  canny 
Scot  was  recently  sentenced  to  ten  days' 
hard  for  SHOOTING  THE  CROW— i.e.,  order- 
ing half-a-quartern  of  whiskey,  drinking 
it  rapidly,  and  neglecting  to  pay. 

1896.  CRANE,   Maggie,    xi.  ^  Youse 
fellers  er  lookin'  fer  a  scrap,  an'  it's  like 
yeh'll  fin'  one  if  yeh  keeps  on  SHOOTIN' 

OFF  YER  MOUT'S. 

1897.  Pearson's    Mag.,   Sep.,    254. 
He  thought  he  saw  the  means  of  getting 
square  with  the  millionaire  who  had  done 
him  such  an  unscrupulous  SHOT  IN  THE 

EYE. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xxi.  It 
it  warn't  ready,  he  give  the  shove  to  THE 
'OLE  SHOOT. 

SHOOTABOUT,  subs,  (school :  esp. 
Charterhouse).  —  An  irregular 
form  of  football. 


Shooter. 


189 


Shop. 


SHOOTER,  subs,  (colloquial).  — 
Generic.  Thus  (l)  =  a  revolver: 
also,  according  to  capacity,  a 

FIVE,    SIX,    or    SEVEN-SHOOTER  ; 

(2)  =  the  guard  of  a  mail  coach 
(old)  :  he  was  armed  with  a 
blunderbuss;  (3)  — a  shooting  star; 
(4)—  a  shooting-stick  (printers'); 
a  piece  of  hard  word  or  metal 
used  with  a  mallet  for  tightening 
quoins  in  a  chase;  (5)  — a  ball 
(cricket)  bowled  full  pitch  but 
SHOOTING  IN  close  to  the  ground  ; 
and  (6)  =  a  black  morning  coat 
(Harrow)  as  distinguished  from 
the  tail  coat  worn  by  the  Fifth 
and  Sixth  Forms. 
^.1633.  G.  HERBERT,  Artillery.  But 

I  have  also  stars,  and  SHOOTERS  too. 

1840.     THACKERAY,   Shabby  Genteel 

Story.     He  had  a  word   for  the  hostler 

about   that    grey    mare,   a    nod    for    the 

SHOOTER  or  guard. 

1899.  Scarlet  City,  107.  Miss  Winks 
took  the  terrible  SHOOTER  with  a  trembling 
hand.  '  You're  sure  it's  not  loaded  ? '  she 
ejaculated. 

SHOOTER'S  -  HILL,  subs.  phr. 
(venery).  —  The  mons  veneris  : 
see  VENUS.  Hence,  TO  TAKE  A 
TURN  ON  SHOOTER'S-HILL  =  to 
copulate  :  see  GREENS  and  RIDE. 

SHOOTING-IRON,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  gun  or  revolver. 

1847.  PORTER,  Quarter  Race,  135. 
He  said  his  old  SHOOTING-IRON  would  go 
off  at  a  good  imitation  of  a  bear's  breath- 
ing ! 

1848.  BURTON,  Waggeries,  175.   This 
antique    SHOOTING  -  IRON    had    not    been 
visible  on  board  the  boat. 

1871.  DE  VERB,  Americanisms.  .  ,  . 
His  rifle  ...  he  loves  with  almost  tender 
affection  .  .  .  and  speaks  of  it  as  a 
SHOOTING-IRON.  .  .  .  The  more  recent 
revolver,  now  quite  common  in  the  West, 
is,  on  the  other  hand,  his  FIVE  or  six 
SHOOTER. 

1888.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxvi.  78. 
Timothy  .  .  .  drew  his  SHOOTING-IRON 
.  .  .  cocking  it  with  a  metallic  click. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xxx.  Hev'  ye  nary  SHOOTIN'  IRON  ? 


1894.  To-Day,  21  Ap.,  351,  i.  Say, 
what's  that  for?  you've  emptied  yure 
SHOOTING  IRON  into  him  ;  what's  he  done  ? 

1897.  MITFORD,  Romance  Cape 
Frontier,  n.  v.  We'll  just  get  out  our 
SHOOTING-IRONS  and  go  and  see. 

1902.  KERNAHAN,  Scoundrels  and 
Co.,  xxiii.  Keep  your  SHOOTING  IRONS, 
Mr.  Hall  .  .  .  I've  got  a  brace  of  my  own 
in  my  pocket. 

SHOOTING-STARS,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— Dizziness  :  as  caused  by 
a  blow. 

SHOP,  subs,  and  verb,  (colloquial). 
— I.  Generic  for  a  place :  of 
residence,  business,  manufacture, 
engagement,  or  resort  (in 
quot.  1590  =  the  body) ;  and  (2) 
one's  profession,  business  or  occu- 
pation. Spec,  (old,  and  thieves') 
—  (3)  a  prison  (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  : 
whence,  as  verb.  =  to  imprison,  to 
confine  (B.  E.  and  GROSE); 

4.  (army)     =    a      guardroom : 
also      see      quot.      1890 ;      and 

5.  (racing)  a  place  :   whence  TO 

BE  SHOPPED  (or  GET  A  SHOP)  = 
to  come  in  first,  second,  or  third  ; 
and  (6)  to  kill,  TO  BURKE  (q.v.). 
Whence,  TO  TALK  SHOP  = 
to  talk  business  in  society  : 
Fr.  parkr  boutique ;  TO  SINK 
THE  SHOP  =  to  refrain  from 

SHOP-TALK  ;  SHOPPY  (or  FULL  OF 

THE  SHOP)  =  wholly  engrossed  in 
business  matters ;  THE  OTHER 
SHOP  =  a  rival  (trader,  establish- 
ment, &c.). 

1548.  PATTEN,  Exped.  to  Scotl. 
[ARBBRCEag-.  Garner,  iii.  86)].  They  had 
likewise  SHOPPED  UP  themselves  in  the 
highest  of  their  house. 

1563.  FOXE,  Acts  and  Monuments 
[CATTLEY]  iv.  652  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng. 
i.  541.  Foxe  wishes  that  More  had  kept 
himself  in  his  own  SHOP  (profession)  ;  hence 

OUr   '  TALK  SHOP  ']. 

1590.  SPENSER,  Fairy  Queen,  n.  i. 
43.  Then  [he]  gan  softly  feel  Her  feeble 
pulse  ...  he  hoped  faire  To  call  backe 
life  to  her  forsaken  SHOP. 


Shop. 


190 


Shop. 


1610.  SHAKESPEARE,  Coriol.,  i.  t,  137. 
I  [the  belly]  am  the  storehouse  and  the 
SHOP  Of  the  whole  body. 

c.i6i7.  HOWELL,  Letters,  i.  iii.  30. 
The  Liver  .  .  .  the  SHOP  and  source  of 
the  Blood. 

1678.  Fourjor  a  Penny  [Harl.  Misc. 
iv.  147].  A  main  part  of  his  office  [abum- 
bailin  s]  is  to  swear  and  bluster  at  their 
trembling  prisoners,  and  cry,  '  Confound 
us,  why  do  we  wait?  Let  us  SHOP  him  ! ' 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  iii. 
Public  and  other  houses  were  explored 
without  loss  of  time  ;  and  it  was  a  poor 
SHOP  indeed  that  did  not  produce  some 
little  amusement. 

1838.  DICKENS,  Oliver  Twist,  xvi. 
It  was  Bartlemy  time  when  I  was  SHOPPED 
.  .  .  Arter  I  was  locked  up  for  the  night, 
the  row  and  din  outside  made  the  thunder- 
ing old  jail  so  silent,  that  I  could  almost 
have  beat  my  brains  out. 

£•.1840.  A.  CLOUGH,  Long  Vacation 
Pastoral.  Three  weeks  hence  we  return 

tO  THE  SHOP. 

1847-8.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair, 
xxxiv.  '  What  is  THE  OTHER  SHOP  ? '  said 
the  lady  .  .  .  '  Cambridge,  not  Oxford,' 
said  the  scholar.  Ibid.  (1855),  Newcomes, 
xliv.  Now,  when  will  you  two  gents  come 
up  to  my  SHOP  to  'ave  a  family  dinner  ?  ' 

1855.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  i. 
viii.  Give  us  a  song  !  It's  the  punishment 
for  TALKING  SHOP,  you  know. 

1855.  GASKELL,  North  and  South, 
ii.  I  don't  like  SHOPPY  people. 

1860.  Punch,  xxxix.  177.     He's  staid 
and    he's    solemn,    TALKS    SHOP    by  the 
column. 

1861.  TROLLOPE,  Framley  Parsonage 
If  we  ...  have  no  voice  of  our  own,  I 
don't  see  what's  the  good  of  our  going  to 
THE  SHOP  [House  of  Commons]  at  all. 

1861.  G.  P.  MARSH,  Lect.  on  the 
Eng.  Lang.,  xi.  All  men,  except  the 
veriest,  narrowest  pedants  in  their  craft, 
avoid  the  language  of  the  SHOP. 

«/.i864.  JOSIAH  QUINCY,  Figures  of  the 
Past,  193.  He  SUNK  THE  SHOP  ;  though 
this  same  SHOP  would  have  been  a  subject 
most  interesting. 

1868.  WHYTE-MELVILLE,  White  Rose, 
n.  yii.  Actors  and  actresses  seem  the  only 
artists  who  are  never  ashamed  of  TALKING 
SHOP.  Ibid.  (1869),  M.  or  N.  If  you 
was  took  and  SHOPPED  ...  I'd  go  to 
quod  with  you  if  they'd  give  me  leave. 


1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xxiv.     What  sort  of  a  SHOP  is  it? 
Are  they  getting  much  gold?    Ibid.,  vi. 
We'll  all  be  SHOPPED  if  you  run  against  the 
police  like  this. 

1889.  Rialto,   23  May.     The    latest 
term  for  the  South  African  gold  market  is 

THE  SHOP. 

1890.  D.   Chronicle,   4  Apr.,    7,    2. 
THE  SHOP  is  the  name  given  in  the  Royal 
Artillery  and  the  Royal  Engineers  to  the 
Establishment  which  turns  out  the  bulk  of 
the    officers    of   those    two  distinguished 
corps. 

1891.  Lie.   Viet.  Gaz.,  3  Apr.     Then 
he  went  a  raker  on  the  favourite  for  the 
St.  Leger,  but    the  brute  was  not  even 
SHOPPED. 

1892.  Casselfs  Saty.  //.,  28  Sep.,  27, 
2.     In  the  long  summer  months,  when  the 
actor  is  '  resting,'  the  artiste  is  frequently 
out  of  a  SHOP,  as  be  terms  his  engagement. 

1897.  MiTFORD,  Romance  of  Cape 
Frontier,  \\.  iii.  And  one  heard  such  a 
lot  of  war  SHOP  talked.  Ibid.,  \\.  xxiii. 
What  was  this  cowardly,  egotistical, 
SHOPPY  preacher  to  him? 

Verb,  (workmen's). — To  work 
in  a  shop ;  whence  SHOPPED  =  ( i ) 
in  work,  also  (2)  discharged. 

1867.  All  Year  Round,  13  July,  56. 
There  are  many  men  who  would  regard 
themselves  as  ingrates,  were  they  not  to 
celebrate  their  being  SHOPPED,  after  having 
been  out  of  collar,  by  a  spree. 

PHRASES. — To  SHUT  UP  SHOP 
=  (i)  to  come  to  an  end,  to  retire ; 
(2)  to  cease  talking  :  (cf.  SHOP  = 
body,  SHUT  UP,  see  quot.  1570) ; 
and  (3)  to  finish,  to  '  do  for ' ;  TO 

COME    (or   GO)    TO   THE    WRONG 

SHOP  =  to  make  a  mistake;  ALL 

OVER    THE    SHOP  =  confused  ; 

awry. 

£.1570.  GASCOIGNE,  Works  [CHALMERS. 

S.57«]      " 

mouth] 


ii.  571].    Beautie  SHUT  UP  THY  SHOP  [i.e. 
i]. 


1630-40.  Court  and  Times  Chas.  I.,  n. 
21.  If  it  go  on  thus,  the  Commissioners 
may  SHUT  UP  SHOP. 

1657.  MIDDLETON,  Women  Be^uare 
Women,  ii.  2.  I'll  quite  give  o'er,  and 
SHUT  UP  SHOP  in  cunning. 


Shopkeeper. 


191  Shoreditch-fury. 


1836.  DICKENS,  Sketches,  289.  And 
what  does  he  want?  .  .  .  money?  meat? 
drink?  He's  COME  TO  THE  WRONG  SHOP 
for  that,  if  he  does. 

1884.  Pall  MallGaz.,  29  Oct.  Our 
mercantile  marine  would  SHUT  UP  SHOP. 

1888.  Sp.  Life,  13  Dec.  The  left  eye, 
which  had  till  now  gradually  closed,  SHUT 
UP  SHOP  altogether. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  63. 
Things  seemed  ALL  OVER  THE  SHOP. 

SHOPKEEPER,  subs,  (traders'). — An 
article  long  in  stock :  sometimes 

OLD  SHOPKEEPER. 

SHOP-LIFT  (-LIFTER,  or -BOUNCER), 

subs.  phr.  (old).—'  One  that  steals 
under  Pretence  of  Cheap'ning ' 
(B.  E.  :  also  HEAD,  DYCHE, 
GROSE,  andSNOWDEN)  :  cf.  LIFT. 
Hence  SHOP-LIFTING  and  simi- 
lar compounds. 

1678.  Four  for  a  Penny  \_Harl.  Misc. 
iv.  147].  He  is  the  treasurer  of  the  thieves' 
exchequer,  the  common  fender  of  all 
balkers  and  SHOP-LIFTS  in  the  town. 

1703.  WARD,   London  Spy,   v.    108. 
The  Light  finger' d  subtlety  of  SHOP-LIFT- 
ING. 

1704.  SWIFT,   Tale  of  a  Tub,   Sect. 
vi.     Like  a  discovered  SHOP-LIFTER,  left  to 
the  mercy  of  Exchange  women. 

1748.  DYCHE,  Dictionary  (?th  Ed.) 
s.v.  LIFTER.  Also  one  that  goes  into 
mercers  or  drapers  shops  under  pretence  of 
buying  goods,  and  so  conveys  some  away 
privately,  is  called  a  SHOP-LIFTER. 

1759.  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy,  i. 
xi.  More  honest,  well-meaning  people 
were  bubbled  out  of  their  goods  and  money 
by  it  in  one  twelve-month  than  by  pocket- 
picking  and  SHOP-LIFTING  in  seven. 

1839.  AINSWORTH,  Jack  Sheppard, 
II.  viii.  Sally  Wells,  who  was  afterwards 
lagged  for  SHOPLIFTING. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Newcomes,  liii. 
There  are  children  who  are  accomplished 
SHOP-LIFTERS  and  liars  almost  as  soon  as 
they  can  toddle  and  speak. 

SHOPOCRACY,  subs,  (colloquial). — 
The  world  of  shopkeepers  :  cf. 
MOBOCRACY,  SHAMOCRACY,  &C. 


1853.  MRS.  GASKELL,  Ruth,  xxxiii. 
The  belles  of  the  SHOPOCRACY  of  Eccle- 
ston. 

i8[?].  Notes  and  Queries  [Ency.  Diet.]. 
SHOPOCKACY  .  .  .  belongs  to  an  objection- 
able class  of  words,  the  use  of  which  is 
very  common  at  the  present  day. 

SHOPPY,  adj.  and  adv.  (colloquial). 
— I.  Commercial  ;  (2)  full  of 
shops  ;  and  (3)  see  SHOP. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  i. 
292.  Thoroughfares  which  are  well- 
frequented,  but  which  .  .  .  are  not  so 
SHOPPY  as  others. 

1855.  GASKELL,  North  and  South, 
xi.  You  were  always  accusing  people  of 
being  SHOPPY. 

SHOP-SHIFT,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
A  tradesman's  trick  (JONSON  : 
'  There's  a  SHOP-SHIFT  !  plague 
on  'em  ! ') 

SHOP-'UN,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
— A  '  boxed '  or  '  pickled  '  egg  : 
as  distinguished  from  '  new-laid.' 

1878.  BYRON,  Our  Boys,  Perkin 
Middlewick.  [Looking  at  eggs\  ...  I 
knows  "em  !  SHOP-'UNS  !  Sixteen  a  shilling  1 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  62. 
About  colds,  and  cock-salmons  and  SHOP 
'UNS  ;  it's  one  of  the  rummiest  sights. 

SHOREDITCH  (THE  DUKE  OF).— A 

mock  title  :  see  quots. 

3.1547.  [ELLIS,  Hist,  of  Shoreditch, 
170].  When  Henry  VIII.  became  king  he 
gave  a  prize  at  Windsor  to  those  who 
should  excel  in  this  exercise  [archery], 
when  Barlo,  one  of  his  guards,  an  inhabi- 
tant of  Shoreditch,  acquired  such  honour 
as  an  archer  that  the  king  created  him 
Duke  of  Shoreditch  on  the  spot.  This  .  .  . 
title  continued  so  late  as  1683. 

1603.  Poore  Man's  Peticion  to  the 
Kinge.  Good  king,  make  not  good  Lord 
of  Lincoln  DUKE  OF  SHORDITCHE,  for  he 


SHOREDITCH-FURY,     subs.     phr. 
(obsolete). — A  harlot :  see  TART. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  i.  ix.  21.  What 
if  some  SHOREDITCH  FURY  should  incite 
some  lust-stung  lecher. 


Shores. 


192 


Short. 


SHORES,  subs.  (Stock  Exchange). — 
Lake  Shore  Ry.  shares. 

SHORT,  subs,  (gaming). — i.  A  card 
(all  below  the  eight)  prepared  so 
that  nothing  above  the  eight  can 
be  cut :  by  which  the  chances  of 
an  honour  turning  up  are  reduced 
to  two  to  one  :  cf.  LONG  and 
BRIEF. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends 
(1862),  253.  Ye  youths,  oh,  beware,  Of 
liquor,  and  how  you  run  after  the  fair  ! 
Shun  playing  at  SHORTS. 

2.  (common). — In  pi.  —  knee 
breeches ;  small  clothes. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  xxxiii.  A 
little  emphatic  man  with  a  bald  head  and 
drab  SHORTS. 

1888.  BESANT,  Fifty  Years  Ago,  49. 
The  little  old  gentleman  .  .  .  follows  him 
in  black  SHORTS  and  white  silk  stockings. 

3.  (Stock  Exchange).—  A  BEAR 
(q.v.)  ;  one  who  has  'sold  short,' 
and  whose  interest  is  to  depress 
the  market.     As  adj.   or  adv.  — 
(i)  not  in  hand  when  contracting 
to  deliver  ;  or  (2)  unable  to  meet 
one's  engagements  :  e.g.,  *  SHORT 
of  Eries,  Brighton  A's,'  &c. 

1888.  D.  Telegraph,  13  Oct.  The 
market  continued  to  improve  .  .  .  coupled 
with  SHORTS  covering  freely. 

1902.  D.  Mail,  17  Nov.,  2,  5.  Wheat 
opened  steady  .  .  .  SHORTS  covering,  and 
light  acceptances. 

4.  (school). — In  //.  =  flannel 
trousers;  CUTS  (q.v.). 

Adj.  (common). — I.  Unadul- 
terated ;  NEAT  (q.v.).  As  subs. 
=  'a  dram  [spec,  of  gin]  un- 
lengthened  by  water '  (GROSE). 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick  Papers 
(r857),  388.  If  you'll  order  waiter  to  deliver 
him  anything  SHORT,  he  won't  drink  it  off 
at  once,  won't  he  ! — only  try  him  ! 

1841.  REDE,  Sixteen  String  Jack,  i. 
2.  Nelly,  toddle  to  the  bar,  and  be  con- 
tinually drawing  drops  of  SHORT. 


1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab,  i. 
54.  Saveloys,  with  a  pint  of  beer  or  a 
glass  of  SHORT,  is  with  them  another  com- 
mon week-day  dinner. 

1858.  M.  Chronicle,  8  Nov.  A  young 
man  offered  her  some  coffee,  but  she  said 
she  would  prefer  something  SHORT. 

1858.  TROLLOPE,  Dr.  Thome,  xvii. 
Come,  Jack,  let  us  have  a  drop  of  some'at 
SHORT. 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  2  July,  v.  3. 
All  these  are  SHORT  drinks — that  is  to  say, 
drams. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xvii. 
She  wanted  him  to  have  a  drop  of  some- 
thing SHORT,  which  he  refused. 

3.  (commercial).  —  '  A     term 
used  by  cashiers  of  banks,  in  ask- 
ing how  a  cheque  is  to  be  paid, 
'How  will  you  take  it  ?'  i.e.,  in 
gold  or  notes  ?  If  in  notes,  '  Long 
or  SHORT  ? '  i.e. ,  in  notes  for  small 
or  large  amounts  (HOTTEN). 

4.  (old). — Hard  up;    'SHORT 
of  cash.' 

1603.  DEKKER,  Batchelars  Banquet, 
iv.  They  ...  if  their  father  keepe  them 
SHORT,  will  find  some  other  friends  that 
shall  affoord  it  them. 

1605.  CHAPMAN,  &c.  Eastward  Ho, 
v.  And  I  not  able  to  relieve  her,  neither, 
being  kept  so  SHORT  by  my  husband. 

1608.  DAY,  Law  Trickes,  ii.  And 
if  your  pursse  grow  SHORT,  Rather  then 
spend  the  publique  treasurie,  He  lend 
your  grace  a  brace  of  thousand  pounds. 

1700.  FARQUHAR,  Constant  Couple, 
ii.  v.  I  am  very  SHORT  ...  at  present. 

1857.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  n. 
v.  I  wrote  to  her  and  said,  '  I'm.  very 
SHORT  ;  please  to  send  me  two  ponies ; ' 
meaning,  of  course,  that  I  wanted  fifty 
pound. 

PHRASES  and  COLLOQUIALISMS. 

— TO    COME    SHORT    HOME  =  to 

be  imprisoned ;  TO  BITE  OFF 
SHORT  (tailors')  =  to  dismiss 
abruptly,  or  refuse  curtly ;  TO 
CUT  IT  SHORT  =  to  be  as  brief  as 
may  be  ;  SHORT  AND  SWEET  =  a 
jesting  regret,  or  sarcastic  com- 
ment :  frequently  with  the  addi- 


Short. 


193 


Short-one. 


tion,  LIKE  A  DONKEY'S  GALLOP  ; 

THE  SHORT  AND  LONG  (or  THE 
SHORT  AND  PLAIN)  =  (l)  the 

whole  truth  :   now  usually  THE 

LONG  AND  THE  SHORT  :  also  (2) 
a  couple  of  persons,  one  of 
dwarf  and  one  of  giant  stature 
walking  together;  SHORT  AND 
THICK,  LIKE  A  WELSHMAN'S 
PRICK  =  a  person  very  short 
and  broad  in  the  beam ;  SHORT 
OF  PUFF  =  winded  ;  SHORT  (or 
SHORT-WAISTED)  =  crusty,  irri- 
table ;  SHORT  OF  A  SHEET  = 
crazy;  FOR  SHORT  =  for  brevity's 
sake ;  '  A  SHORT  horse  is  soon 
curried '  =  a  simple  matter  is  soon 
disposed  of ;  SHORT  COMMONS  = 
not  too  much  to  eat ;  SHORT-LIM- 
BERED =  touchy  ;  A  SHORT 

SHRIFT  AND  A  LONG   ROPE  =  hl- 

stant  despatch ;  A  SHORT  MEMORY 
=  forgetfulness. 

....  Int.  ofFourElements\H.KL\.\- 
WELL].  Yf  ye  will  nedys  know  at  SHORT 
AND  LONGE,  It  is  evyn  a  woman's  tounge. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant,  Tales  [Ou- 
PHANT,  New  Eng,  i.  123.  We  have,  this 

is  THE  SHORT  AND  PLAIN  (LONG  AND  SHORT 
Of  it).] 

1577.  STANIHURST,  Desc.  Ireland 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.  i.  599.  A  man  is 
said  to  be  in  talk,  SHORT  AND  SWEET], 

1592.  SHAKSPEARE,  Mid.  Night's 
Dream,  iv.  2.  The  SHORT  AND  THE  LONG 
is,  onr  play  is  preferred.  Ibid,  (1506), 
Merry  Wives,  ii.  i.  He  loves  your  wife  ; 
there's  THE  SHORT  AND  THE  LONG.  Ibid. 
(1600),  As  You.  Like  It,  iii.  5.  I  will  be 
bitter  with  him  and  passing  SHORT. 

1602.  MIDDLETON,  Blurt,  Master 
Constable,  i.  2.  The  rogue's  made  of  pie- 
crust, he's  so  SHORT. 

1611.  JONSON,  Cataline,  ii.  i.  How, 
pretty  sullenness,  So  harsh  and  SHORT  ! 

1611.  Letter  [NARES].  In  which 
service  two  or  three  of  them  CAME  SHORT 

HOME. 

0.1617.  HOWELL,  Letters,  i.  ii.  15. 
The  French  and  English  Ambassadors, 
interceding  for  a  Peace,  had  a  SHORT 
Answer  of  Philip  II. 


1636.     HEYWOOD,  Love's  Mistress,  63. 

The    SHORT    AND    THE   LONG   of  't  is,  she's 

an  ugly  creature. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  219.  Don  Alphonso  CUT  HIM 
SHORT  in  his  explanation. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg., 
'  Brothers  of  Birch ington.' — Father  Dick, 
So  they  called  him  FOR  SHORT. 

1870.  Washington  Watchman  [Ds 
VERB].  My  little  gal's  name  is  Helen, 
but  we  call  her  Heelen  FOR  SHORT. 

SHORT- EAR,  subs.  phr.  (American 
University). — A  rowdy:  see  LAWS. 

SHORTER,  subs.  (old). — One  who 
dwindles  the  surface  and  the  edges 
of  coins  by  clipping,  filing,  shak- 
ing together  in  a  bag,  precipita- 
tion, or  other  means  ;  a  SWEATER 
(q.V.). 

SHORT-HEAD,  subs. phr.  (racing). — 
A  horse  that  fails  by  a  short  head. 

1883.  GREENWOOD,  Odd  People,  107. 
Fancy  him  having  that  horribly  anathe- 
matized SHORT  HEAD  all  his  own,  to  revile 
it,  and  punch  it  ...  all  the  while  with  a 
firm  grip  on  the  cruel  twitch  attached  to  its 
nose. 

SHORTHEELS,  subs.  (old). — A  wan- 
ton :  see  TART.  Hence,  SHORT- 
HEELED  =  unchaste  (GROSE). 

1596.  CHAPMAN,  Blind  Beggar 
[SHEPHEARD,  Works  (1874)  15].  Well, 
madam  SHORT-HEELS,  I'll  be  even  with 
you.  Ibid,  (1611),  May-day,  iv.  4.  Take 
heed  you  slip  not,  coz,  remember  y'are 

SHORT-HEELED. 

SHORT-LENGTH,  subs. phr.  (Scots'). 
— A  small  glass  of  brandy;  a 
'wee  three.' 

1864.  Glasgow  Citizen,  19  Nov.  Is 
not  the  exhilarating  SHORT-LENGTH  of 
brandy  known  beyond  our  own  Queen 
Street  ? 

SHORT-ONE,  subs.  phr.  (old  coach- 
ing :  obsolete).  —  A  passenger 
whose  name  was  not  on  the  way- 
bill;  a  SHOULDERSTICK  (q.V.)  ', 
a  BIT  OF  FISH  (q.V.). 


Short-pot. 


194 


Shot. 


SHORT-POT,  subs.  phr.  (B.  E. 
^.1696). — 'False,  cheating  Potts 
used  at  Ale-houses,  and  Brandy- 
shops.' 

SHORT-STAFF.    See  GENTLEMAN. 

SHORT-STICK,  subs.phr.  (drapers'). 
— See  quot. 

1863.  Once  a  Week,  viii.  179.  All 
goods  again  that  are  sold  in  the  piece  run 
short :  SHORT-STICK  in  fact  is  a  slang  term 
for  insufficient  lengths. 

SHOT,  subs,  (old  :  still  colloquial). 
— i.  A  reckoning;  a  share  of 
expense  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 
Hence  (2)  =  money  (generic)  :  as 
SHOT  IN  THE  LOCKER  =  money 
in  hand,  or  at  will.  Also  SHOT- 
BAG  =  a  purse  ;  SHOT  -  FREE 
= nothing  to  pay  :  also  SCOT- 
FREE  ;  SHOT-CLOG  =  a  simpleton, 
tolerated  because  he  is  willing  to 
pay  reckonings ;  SHOT-FLAGON  = 
'  the  hosts'  pot,  given  where  the 
guests  have  drank  above  a  shil- 
ling's-worth of  ale'  (HALLI- 
\VELL):  whence  SHOT-POT  =  one 
entitled  to  the  SHOT- FLAGON  ; 
SHOT-SHIP  =  a  company  sharing 
and  sharing  alike  ;  SHOT-SHARK 
=a  waiter. 

1591.  GREENE,  Notable  Discovery 
[  Works,  x.  47].  There  he  bestowed  cheare 
and  ipocras  vpon  them,  drinking  hard  til 
the  SHOT  came  to  a  noble. 

1595.  SHAKSPEARE,  Two  Gentlemen, 
iii.  5.     I'll  to  the  alehouse  with  you  pre- 
sently ;  where  for  one  SHOT  of  five  pence, 
thou  sbalt  have  five  thousand  welcomes. 

1598.  FLORID,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Pagare  lo  scotto,  to  paie  the  SHOT  or 
reckoning. 

1596.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  in  His  Hu- 
mour, v.  4.     Where  be  then  these  SHOT- 
SHARKS  ?    Ibid.  (1601),  Poetaster,  i.  i.    A 
gull,  a  rook,  a  SHOT-CLOG,  to  make  suppers 
and  be  laughed  at. 

1604.  DEKKER,  Honest  Whore 
[Works  (1873),  ii.  51].  A  brace  of  guiles, 
dwelling  here  in  the  city,  came  in,  and 
paid  all  the  SHOT, 


1605.  CHAPMAN,  JONSON,  &c.,  East- 
ward Hoe,  i.  i.  Thou  common  SHOT- 
CLOG,  dupe  of  all  companies. 

Amende    for    Ladies,      51. 

Drawer,  take  your  plate.  For  the  reckon- 
ing there's  some  of  their  cloaks  :  I  will  be 
no  SHOT-CLOG  to  such. 

1630.   T.  ADAMS,  Fatal  Banket  [The 

Title  of  the  fourth  part  runs ]  '  The 

SHOT,  or  the  wofull  price  which  the  wicked 
pay  for  the  Feast  of  Vanitie.1 

1715.  CENTLIVRE,  Gotham  Election, 
iv.  We  give  the  treat,  but  they  shall  pay 
the  SHOT. 

1800.  C.  LAMB,  Letter  [to  Coleridge, 
6  Aug.].  I  have  the  first  volume,  and 
truth  to  tell,  six  shillings  is  a  broad  SHOT. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Keniliuprth,  xix.  Are 
you  to  stand  SHOT  to  all  this  good  liquor. 

1836.  M.  SCOTT,  Tom  Cringle's  Log, 
ii.  I  have  wherewithal  in  the  locker  to  pay 
my  SHOT. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends 
(1862),  74.     He  bolted  away  without  pay- 
ing his  SHOT,  And  the  Landlady  after  him 
hurried. 

1847-8.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair, 
xxvi.  My  wife  shall  travel  like  a  lady. 
As  long  as  there's  a  SHOT  IN  THE  LOCKER 
she  shall  want  for  nothing. 

1848.  DURIVAGE,  Stray  Subjects,  57. 
Depositing  the  '  tin '  in  his  SHOT-BAG. 

1851.  SEAWORTHY,  Bertie,  42.  I'll 
al'ays  do  the  fair  thing,  and  stan'  SHOT  till 
we  git  to  Edentown. 

1863.  GASKELL,  Sylvia's  Lovers, 
xxxiv.  Bring  him  some  victual,  landlord. 
I'll  stand  SHOT. 

1880.  SIMS,  Three  Brass  Balls, 
Pledge  xv.  It  shall  never  want  a  friend 
while  I've  a  SHOT  IN  THE  LOCKER. 

3.  (old). — A  corpse. 

4.  (colloquial). — A  guess  ;  also 
(5)  =  an  attempt,  a  venture. 

1844.  KINGLAKE,  Eothen,  viii.  137. 
I  secretly  smiled  at  this  last  prophecy  as 
a  bad  SHOT. 

1854.  WHYTE  -  MELVILLE,  General 
Bounce,  xiii.  But  here  we  are  at  Tatter- 
sail's  ;  ...  so  now  for  good  information, 
long  odds,  a  safe  man,  and  a  SHOT  at  the 
favourite ! 


Shot. 


195 


Shoulder. 


1857.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  n. 
xi.  Without  hazarding  his  success  by 
making  bad  SHOTS,  he  contented  himself 
by  answering  those  questions  only  on 
which  he  felt  sure. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown  at 
Oxford.  Yes,  you  would  have  said 
so  ...  if  you  had  seen  him  trying  to 
put  Jack  up  behind.  He  made  six  SHOTS. 

1879.  L.  B.  MILFORD,  Cousins,  i.  It 
turned  out  to  be  a  bad  SHOT. 

1891.  N.  GOULD,  Double  Event,  104. 
'Won't  you  take  a  SHOT  about  Caloola, 
Mr.  Marston?' 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  281.  They 
had  just  returned  from  the  hop-country, 
and  their  money  was  well  poised  for 
another  SHOT  at  the  growler. 

Adv.  (common). — Drunk  :  see 
SCREWED.  Also  SHOT  IN  THE 
NECK:  see  SHOOT. 

Verb  (horse-copers').— To  fake 
a  horse  :  a  dose  of  small  shot  gives 
a  temporary  appearance  of  sound- 
windedness. 

To  PAY  THE  SHOT,  verb.  phr. 
(venery).  —  To  copulate  :  see 
GREENS  and  RIDE.  Also  see 
subs.  i. 

£.1630.  Broadside  Ballad,  '  The  Jovial 
Companions'  [Bagford Ball.  (Brit.  Mus.) 
i.  88.]  He  laid  her  on  her  Back,  and 
PAID  her  THE  SHOT  Without  ever  a  stiver 
of  mony. 

1635.  Broadside  Ballad,  'The  In- 
dustrious Smith'  \_Rox.  Ball.  (Brit.  Mus.), 
i.  159].  Old  debts  must  be  paid,  O  why 
should  they  not,  The  fellow  went  home  to 

PAY  THE  old  SHOT. 

Intj.  (Royal  High  School, 
Edin.). — A  cry  of  warning  at  the 
approach  of  a  master. 

PHRASES.  LIKE  A  SHOT  = 
quickly,  at  full  drive ;  SHOT  IN  THE 
NECK  =  drunk :  see  SCREWED  ; 

SHOT   IN   THE  TAIL  (or  GIBLETS) 

=  got  with  child ;  NOT  BY  A 
LONG  SHOT  =  hopelessly  out  of 
reckoning  :  whence  A  LONG  SHOT 
=  a  bold  attempt  or  large  under- 
taking. Also  see  SHOOT. 


1853.  WH. -MELVILLE,  DigbyGrand, 
x.  An  extremely  abrupt  conclusion  .  .  . 
empties  every  bumper  of  blackstrap  LIKE 
A  SHOT. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  '  Pomes'  [1897], 
27.  So  Zippy  went  in  for  A  LONG  SHOT. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  21. 
Put  us  all  square  LIKE  A  SHOT. 

1897.  MITFORD,  Romance  of  Cape 
Frontier,  i.  i.  Back  I  went  LIKE  A  SHOT. 

SHOT-CLOG.     See  SHOT,  subs.  i. 

SHOT-SOUP,  subs.  phr.  (nautical). 
— Bad  pea-soup. 

SHOTTEN- HERRING,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — A  term  of  contempt :  spec. 
a  lean  meagre  fellow  (GROSE). 
Hence,  SHOTTEN-SOULED  =  de- 
spicable. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  /.  Hen.  IV.  ii. 
4.  142.  If  manhood,  good  manhood,  be 
not  forgot  upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  then 

am  I  A  SHOTTEN  HERRING. 

1614.  FLETCHER,  Wit  without  Money, 
iii.  4.  Upbraid  me  with  your  benefits, 
you  pilchers,  You  SHOTTEN-SOUL'D,  slight 

fellc     s. 

1639.  Optick  Glasse  of  Humours,  27. 
His  conceit  is  as  lanck  as   a   SHOTTEN 

HERRING. 

1640.  NABBES,  Bride,  sig.  G  ii.  Thou 
art  a  SHOTTEN  HERRING.    Jackalent  Span- 
yard. 

SHOULDER,  verb,  (old  coaching). — 
See  quot.  Hence  SHOULDER- 
STICK  —  a  passenger  not  on  the 
way-bill  :  see  SHORT-ONE  and  cf. 
SWALLOW. 

1828.  JON.  BEE,  Picture  of  London, 
33.  SHOULDERING,  among  coachmen  and 
guards,  is  that  species  of  cheating  their 
employers  in  which  they  take  the  fares  and 
pocket  them,  generally  of  such  passengers 
as  they  overtake  on  the  road,  or  who  come 
across  the  country  to  the  main  road,  and 
are  not  put  down  in  the  way-bill. 

1886.  Atheneeum,  16  Jan.,  99,  i. 
Some  amusing  anecdotes  of  what  was 
known  as  SHOULDERING  are  here  related. 
This  generation  requires  to  be  informed 
that  the  expression  meant  in  coaching  days 
allowing  more  than  the  number  the  coach 
authorized  to  carry  was  to  ride  in  or  upon 


Shoulder- clapper.         196 


Shout. 


it.  Of  course  such  a  permission  meant 
extra  fees  and  payment  to  the  coachman 
and  guard,  and  was  a  direct  fraud  on  the 
proprietors. 

1888.  TRISTRAM  [Eng.  III.  Mag., 
June,  623].  SHOULDERING  in  the  tongue 
of  coachmen  and  guards  meant  taking  a 
fare  not  on  the  way-bill,  and  unknown  to 
the  proprietor. 

A    SLIP    OF     THE    SHOULDER, 

subs.  phr.  (old). — Seduction. 
See  COLD  SHOULDER,  WHEEL. 

SHOULDER -CLAPPER,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — A  bailiff ;  'a  member  of 
the  hold-fast  club'  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE)  ;  SHOULDER-CLAPPED  = 
arrested. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Cow.  of  Errors, 
iv.  2.  A  back -friend,  a  SHOULDER-CLAPPER, 
one  that  countermandes  The  passages  of 
alleys,  creeks,  and  narrow  lands. 

1604.  DEKKER  and  WEBSTER,  West- 
ward Hoe,  v.  3.  What  a  profane  varlet 
is  this  SHOULDER-CLAPPER  to  lie  thus  upon 
my  wife. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May-day,  iv.  2. 
These  .  .  .  pewter-buttoned  SHOULDER- 
CLAPPERS. 

1839.      AINSWORTH,     /.      Sheppard 

(1840),  22.        '  The     SHOULDER-CLAPPERS  !  ' 

added  a  lady,  who  .  .  .  substituted  her 
husband's  nether  habiliments  for  her  own 
petticoats. 

1886.  SALA  '[///.  L.  News,  19  June, 
644].  I  do  know  that  a  sheriffs  officer 
used  to  be  called  a  SHOULDER-CLAPPER. 

SHOULDER-FEAST,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  dinner  given  to  bearers  after 
a  funeral  (GROSE). 

SHOULDER  -  HITTER,     subs.    phr. 

(American). — A  bully  ;  a  rowdy  : 
spec,  a  gambling  tout. 

1858.  New  York  Tribune,  30  Sep. 
A  band  of  SHOULDER-HITTERS  and  ballet- 
box  stuffers. 

1871.  DE  VERB,  Americanisms,  319. 
In  the  West  a  striker  is  not  only  a  SHOUL- 
DER-HITTER, as  might  be  suspected,  but  a 
runner  for  gambling  establishments,  who 
must  be  as  ready  to  strike  down  a  com- 
plaining victim  as  to  ensnare  an  unsuspect- 
ing stranger. 


1874.  ~N.  Y.  Commercial  Advertiser, 
9  Sept.  So  long  as  substantial  citizens 
choose  to  leave  politics  to  SHOULDER  HIT- 
TERS, rum-sellers  and  bummers  of  every 
degree,  so  long  will  they  be  robbed  at 
every  turn. 

1886.  SALA  [///.  L.  News,  19  June, 
644].  A  certain  variety  of  the  New  York 
rough  is  a  SHOULDER-HITTER. 

SHOULDER- KNOT,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  footman. 

SHOULDER-OF-MUTTON  FIST,  subs, 
phr.  (common). — A  coarse,  big, 
broad  hand  :  in  contempt. 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jaca,  17. 
Sold  again,  and  to  a  gentleman  with  a 
SHOULDER-OF-MUTTON  FIST,  that  has  never 
been  washed  since  he  had  it. 

SHOULDER-PEGGED,  adj.  (common). 
—Stiff-limbed. 

SHOULDER-SHAM,  subs.  phr.  (B.E. 
c.i6g6).— '  A  Partner  to  a  File.' 

SHOUT,  subs,  (formerly  Australian  : 
now  general). — A  turn  in  paying 
for  a  round  of  drinks.  Hence  as 
verb.  =  to  stand  treat ;  SHOUT- 
ING =  a  general  invitation  to 
drink ;  TO  SHOUT  ONESELF 
HOARSE  =  to  get  drunk.  See 
CHARTER  THE  BAR. 

1859.  KINGSLEY,  Geoffrey  Hamlyn, 
xxxi.  I  SHOUTED  for  him,  and  he  for  me, 
and  at  last  I  says,  'Butty,'  says  I,  'who 
are  those  chaps  round  here  on  the  lay  ? ' 

1873.  BRADDON,  Bitter  End,  xxxix. 
When  the  lucky  digger  was  wont  to 
SHOUT— that  is  to  say,  pay  the  shot— for 
the  refreshment  of  his  comrades. 

1881.  GRANT,  Bush  Life,  i.  243.  He 
must  drink  a  nobbier  with  Tom,  and  be 
prepared  to  SHOUT  for  all  hands  at  least 
once  a  day. 

1889.  Star,  3  Jan.  Good-natured, 
hearty  Welsh  diggers  thronged  in,  and 
were  willing  to  SHOUT  for  us  as  long  as  we 
would  drink. 

1900.  NISBET,  Sheep's  Clothing,  196. 
They  SHOUTED  drinks  for  all  who  were 
present. 


Shouting. 


197          Shove-halfpenny. 


SHOUTING.  ALL  OVER  BUT  SHOUT- 
ING, phr.  (common). — Said  of 
anything  obviously  finished. 

1891.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  20  Mar.  At 
Barnes  it  was  estimated  that  he  had  a  lead 
of  150  yards,  and  at  this  point,  reached  in 
19  min.  50  sec.,  it  looked  ALL  OVER  BUT 
SHOUTING. 

SHOVE,  verb,  (venery). — To  copu- 
late :  see  GREENS  and  RIDE  ;  as 
subs.  —  the  act  of  kind.  Also  (of 
women)  TO  GET  A  SHOVE  IN 
ONE'S  BLIND-  (or  THE  BULL'S-) 
EYE.  SHOVE  -  STRAIGHT  (or 
SHOVE-DEVIL)  =  the  penis:  see 
PRICK. 

i6[?].  Old  Ballad,  'King  Edward 
and  Jane  Shore'  [DuRFEY,  Pills  (1707) 
iii.  20],  Joan  could  make  them  groan 
that  ardently  did  love  her,  But  Jane 
Shore  .  .  .  King  Edward  he  did  SHOVE 
her. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  xi. 
His  governesses  .  .  .  would  very  pleasantly 
pass  their  time  in  taking  you  know  what 
between  their  fingers  .  .  .  One  .  .  .  would 
call  it  her  roger  .  .  .  lusty  live  sausage, 

SHOVE-DEVtL,  &C. 

1707.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.  a.  ii.  21. 
If  Holy  Sister,  wanting  Grace,  By  Chance 
supplies  a   Harlot's   Place,   And   takes  a 
kind  refreshing  SHOVE  Upon  the  Bed  of 
lawless  Love. 

PHRASES.  To  SHOVE  FOR  (or 
TO  BE  ON  THE  SHOVE)  =  to  move, 
to  try  for  ;  TO  SHOVE  THE  MOON 
=  to  remove  secretly,  by  night : 
see  MOON  ;  TO  SHOVE  THE  TUM- 
BLER =  '  to  be  whipped  at  the 
cart's  tail3  (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  ;  A 
SHOVE  IN  THE  MOUTH  =  a  dram 
(GROSE)  ;  TO  SHOVE  THE  QUEER 
=  to  pass  bad  money ;  A  SHOVE 
IN  THE  EYE  =  a  punch  in  the  eye  : 
generic ;  TO  GIVE  THE  SHOVE  = 
to  send  packing ;  TO  GET  THE 
SHOVE  =  to  be  dismissed  :  see 
BAG. 

1708.  HALL,  Memoirs,   15.      Those 
cast  for  Petit-larceny  SHOVE  THE  TUM- 
BLER. 


_x82i.  EG  AN,  Life  in  London,  n.  iii. 
I  vish'd  to  be  a  little  curl  to  Dirty 
Suke,  ...  so  I  gov'd  her  a  SHOVE  IN  THE 

MOUTH. 

1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford (1854), 
9.  '  Tom  Zobyson  is  a  good-for-naught," 
returned  the  dame,  and  deserves  TO  SHOVE 
THE  TUMBLER  ;  but,  ohj  my  child  be  not 
too  venturesome  in  taking  up  the  sticks 
for  a  blowen. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huck.'Finn.,  xxxviii. 
So  Jim  he  was  sorry,  and  said  he  wouldn't 
behave  so  no  more,  and  then  me  and  Tom 
SHOVED  FOR  bed. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  50- 
There  is  always  some  fun  afoot  there,  as 
will  keep  a  chap  fair  ON  THE  SHOVE. 

1899.  WHITEING,  JphnSt.,  iv.  Mind 
your  own  bloomin'  business,  or  I'll  give 
yer  a  SHOVE  IN  THE  EYE.  Ibid.  x.  Did 
you  get  THE  SHOVE  to-day  ?  Ibid.  xxi.  If 
it  warn't  ready,  he  GIVE  THE  SHOVE  to  the 
'ole  shoot. 

SHOVE-HALFPENNY  (also  SHOVE- 
[or  SHOVEL-]  BOARD,  SHOVE- 
GROAT,  SLIDE-GROAT,  SLIDE- 
THRIFT,  or  PUSH-PENNY),  subs. 
phr.—K  gambling  game,  played 
on  a  table  on  which  transverse 
lines  have  been  drawn  rather  more 
than  the  width  of  a  halfpenny 
apart.  The  play  consists  in  send- 
ing a  halfpenny  by  a  smart  stroke 
of  the  palm  from  the  end  of  the 
table  so  as  to  make  it  rest  in 
the  compartments  formed  by  the 
lines.  [Ed.  VI.  shillings,  as  being 
smooth  and  easily  pushed,  were 
much  in  vogue  as  counters.] 

1528.  STANIHURST,  Chron.  of  Ire- 
land. When  the  lieutenant  and  he  for 
their  desporte  were  plaieing  at  SLIDEGROTE 

Or  SHOOFLEBOARD. 

1596.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  in  His  Hu- 
mour, iii.  2.  Made  it  run  as  smooth  off  the 
tongue  as  a  SHOVE-GROAT  shilling. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.,  ii. 
4,  206.  Quoit  him  down,  Bardolph,  like  a 
SHOVE-GROAT  shilling. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Travels  of  Twelve- 
pence  [NARES].  With  me  [a  shilling  of  Ed. 
VI.]  the  unthrifts  every  day,  With  my  face 
downward,  do  at  SHOVE-BOARD  play. 


Shovel. 


198 


Show. 


1801.  STRUTT,  Sports  and  Pastimes, 
16.  The  game  of  SHOVELBOARD,  though 
now  considered  as  exceedingly  vulgar,  and 
practised  by  the  lower  classes  of  the  people, 
was  formerly  in  great  repute  amongst  the 
nobility  and  gentry  ;  and  few  of  their  man- 
sions were  without  a  SHOVEL-BOARD. 

1841.  Punch,  i.  232.  The  favourite 
game  of  SHOVE-HALFPENNY  was  kept  up 
till  a  late  hour,  when  the  party  broke  up 
highly  delighted. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,  i. 
14.  SHOVE-HALFPENNY  is  another  game 
played  by  them  [costermongerK]. 

SHOVEL,  subs,  (common). — A  hat, 
broad-brimmed,  turned  up  at  the 
sides,  and  scooped  in  front,  as 
worn  by  deans  and  bishops  of  the 
Established  Church:  also  SHOVEL- 
HAT.  Whence  SHOVEL-HATTED. 

1833-4.  CARLYLE,  Sartor  Resartus, 
iii.  6.  Whereas  the  English  Jonson  only 
bowed  to  every  clergyman,  or  man  with  a 
SHOVEL-HAT,  I  would  bow  to  any  man 
with  any  sort  of  hat,  or  with  no  hat  what- 
ever. 

1845.  THACKEKAY,  Cornhill  to 
Cairo,  ii.  The  mitred  bishops,  the  big- 
wigged  marshals,  the  SHOVEL-HATTED 
abbes  which  they  have  borne.  Ibid.  (1855), 
Newcomes,  xxvi.  She  was  a  good  woman 
of  business,  and  managed  the  hat-shop  for 
nine  years  .  .  .  My  uncle,  the  Bishop,  had 
his  SHOVELS  there. 

1849.  BRONTE,  Shirley,  xvi.  Loom- 
ing large  in  full  canonicals,  walking  as 
became  a  beneficed  priest,  under  the  canopy 

of  a  SHOVEL  HAT. 

1853.  LYTTON,  My  Novel,  xi.  2. 
The  profession  of  this  gentleman's  com- 
panion was  unmistakeable — the  SHOVEL- 
HAT,  the  clerical  cut  of  the  coat,  the  neck- 
cloth, without  collar. 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown's  School- 
days, i.  2.  A  queer  old  hat,  something 
like  a  doctor  of  divinity's  SHOVEL. 

1864.  ALFORD,  Queen's  English,  228. 
I  once  heard  a  venerable  dignitary  pointed 
out  by  a  railway  porter  as  '  an  old  party  in 
a  SHOVEL.' 

1871.  Parodies,  Ixxxi.  297.  Now 
about  the  same  time  the  people  of  England 
were  at  loggerheads  with  the  SHOVEL- 
HATTED  gentry  that  infest  the  upper  house 
of  St.  Stephen's. 

2.  (common). — A  hansom-cab: 
see  SHOFUL. 


3.  (nautical).  —  An  ignorant 
marine  engineer. 

18  [?].  Engineer  [Century].  In  the 
early  days  after  the  Crimea  war,  the 
engineers  in  the  Navy  were  a  rough  lot. 
They  were  good  men  but  without  much 
education.  They  were  technically  known 
as  SHOVELS. 

PHRASES.  PUT  TO  BED  WITH 
A  SHOVEL  (or  SPADE)  =  buried 
(GROSE)  ;  '  He  was  fed  with  a 
SHOVEL  (or  FIRE-SHOVEL)  =  a 
jeer  at  a  large  mouth '  (GROSE)  ; 
'That's  before  you  bought  your 
SHOVEL '='  You  are  too  previous,' 
'  That's  up  against  you,'  '  That 
settles  your  hash.' 

1859.  MATSELL,  Vocabulum,  '  Hun- 
dren  Stretches,'  3.  WITH  SHOVELS  they 
were  PUT  TO  BED  A  hundred  stretches 
since. 

SHOVER,  suds,  (thieves'). — One  who 
utters  base  money  ;  a  SMASHER 
(<7.z>.) ;  a  SOUR-PLANTER  (q.v.)  : 

also  SHOVER  OF  THE  QUEER. 

1871.  Figaro,  20  Feb.  He  estab- 
lished a  saloon  in  New  York  which  became 
the  headquarters  of  all  the  counterfeiters 
and  SHOVERS  OF  THE  QUEER  in  the 
country. 

SHOVE-UP, phr.  (old). — *  Nothing' 
VAUX  (1812). 

SHOW,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  An 
entertainment;  a  spectacle  (as  the 
LORD  MAYOR'S  SHOW)  ;  (2)  one's 
business :  cf.  SHOP  ;  and  (3)  a 
piece  of  work.  Also  SHOW-BOX 
(theatrical)  =  a  theatre. 

1530.  TYNDALE,  Works  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,  i.  427.  He  loves  SHEW  as  a 
synonym  for  appearance  and  spectacle}. 

1588-93.  TARLETON,  7*^(1844),  71. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  12.  The  noun 
SHEW  .  .  .  means  a  pageant. 

1592.  SHAKSPEARE,  Mids.  Night's 
Dream.  The  actors  are  at  hand  and  by 
their  SHOW  You  shall  know  all  that  you  are 
like  to  know. 

1613.  DRAYTON,  Poly-Olbion,  xv.  By 
this,  the  wedding  ends,  and  brake  up  all 
the  SHOW. 


Show. 


199 


Show. 


1811.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  27.  One 
of  Georgy's  bright  ogles  was  put  On  the 
bankruptcy  list,  with  its  shop-windows 
shut ;  While  the  other  soon  made  quite  as 
tag-rag  a  SHOW. 

_i886.     BESANT,  Children  of  Gibeon, 

I.  vi.     We  ain't  a  SHOW.     Lotty  ain't  a 
clown  ;   I  ain't  a  jumping-horse. 

1888.  HAGGARD,  Mr.  Meeson's  Will 
[Til.  Lon,  News,  Summer  No.,  28,  3].  Mr. 
John  Short  .  .  .  asked  him  the  same  ques- 
tion, explaining  that  their  presence  was 
necessary  to  the  SHOW. 

1891.  NEWMAN,  Scamping   Tricks, 
65.     I  would  have  stopped  the  SHOW. 

1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack  Room  Bal- 
lads,   'The  Widow's  Party.'    What  was 
the  end  of  all  the  SHOW,  Johnnie,  Johnnie  ? 

1899.  WHITEING,    John    St.,    xx. 
When  the  SHOW  was  shut,  I  ...  sits  down 
to  my  toke  and  pipe. 

1900.  Free    Lance,    6    Oct.,   20,    2. 
There  goes  Amy  Lester  .  .  .  Just  closed 
with  '  The  Face  in  the  Lamplight.'  That's 
the  third  SHOW  she's  queered  this  season. 

4.  (colloquial). — A  chance  ;  a 
turn ;  an  opportunity. 

c- J  537-50-  Robin  Conscience  [  H AZLITT  , 
Early  Pop.  Poetry,  iii.  239].  Bvt  and  I 
Hue  another  yeer,  I  will  haue  a  better 
SHOWE  ;  I  will  not  goe  thvs  slvttishly,  I 
trowe. 

1886.  BESANT,  Children  of  Gibeon, 

II.  xiv.     Many  young   men   are   ardently 
desirous  of  distinction  or  even  notoriety  ; 
they  will  stoop  to  tomfool  tricks  if  they 
cannot  get  a  SHOW  by  any  other  way. 

1887.  Our  American  Cousins,   267. 
Do  you  think  there's  any — any — any  SHOW 
for  me  ? 

1893.  EMERSON,    Lippo,   xii.      If   I 
could  only  have  got  his  SHOW  three  turns 
nightly  at  fifteen  pounds  a  turn  ! 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  147. 
They  told  the  management  to  trot  out  his 
wicker  demijohn  and  give  the  sagebrushers 
a  SHOW. 

1901.  Troddles    and    Us,    n.      You 
stick  yourself  down   in    the   only   decent 
chair  .  .  .  you  don't  give  a  fellow  a  SHOW. 

3.  (women's  :  conventional). — 
The  first  signs  of  periodicity  or 
parturition. 


PHRASES  AND  COLLOQUIALISMS. 

— TO  SHOW  AWAY  (or  OFF)  =  to 

give  oneself  airs :  hence  SHOWING 
OFF  =  making  the  most  of  oneself ; 
TO  SHOW  A  LEG  (nautical)  =  (i)  to 
turn  out  ;  and  (2)  see  LEG  ;  TO 
SHOW  UP  =  (i)  to  make  an  appear- 
ance (also  TO  SHOW  ONESELF), 
and  (2)  to  expose  :  also  as  subs. 
in  both  senses  ;  TO  SHOW  THE 
DOOR  (or  THE  OUTSIDE  OF  THE 
DOOR)  =  to  dismiss  without  cere- 
mony ;  TO  BOSS  THE  SHOW  =  to 

manage  ;  TO  SHOW  ONE  LONDON 
=  (school)  to  hold  one  by  the 
heels  upside  down  ;  TO  SEE  LON- 
DON =  to  hang  by  the  heels  :  as 
from  a  rail,  trapeze ;  TO  GIVE 

THE    SHOW  A  WAY  =  to  blab  J    &C. 

Also  see  AGILITY  ;  COLD  SHOUL- 
DER ;  ELEPHANT  ;  HEELS;  LEG  ; 
TEETH  ;  WATER  ;  WHITE 
FEATHER. 

1554.  TYTLER,  Ed.  VI.  [OLIPHANT 
New  Eng.  i.  538.  Charles  V.  SHOWS 
HIMSELF  at  a  feast]. 

.  .  .  .  T.  HALL,  Genuine  Letters,  n. 
45.  Never  give  yourself  airs  :  never 
press  TO  SHEW  AWAY  as  they  call  it. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil.  Bias.  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  12.  I  boarded  her  [a  kitchen- 
maid]  with  so  little  circumspection  that 
Don  Rodrigo  .  .  .  twitted  me  with  my 
low  taste ;  and  .  .  .  SHOWED  the  goddess 
of  my  devotions  THE  OUTSIDE  OF  THE 
DOOR. 

1811.  HAWKINS,  Countess  and  Ger- 
trude [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.  ii.  204. 
Certain  phrases  are  marked  to  show  that 
they  are  new  ;  as  ...  SHEW  HIMSELF  (at 
a  party).] 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  26.  ... 
Could  old  Nap  himself,  in  his  glory,  have 
wish'd  To  SHOW  UP  a  fat  Gemman  more 
handsomely  DISH'D  ? 

1830.  JON.  BEE,  Samuel  Foote,  Ixxix. 
How  far  he  was  justified  in  SHOWING  UP 
his  friend  Macklin  may  admit  of  question. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Snobs,  xi.  In- 
stead of  SHOWING  UP  the  parsons,  are  we 
indulging  in  maudlin  praises  of  that  mon- 
strous black-coated  race. 


Shower. 


200 


Shrimp. 


1870.  HUXLEY,  Lay  Sermons,  30.  It 
would  be  unprofitable  to  spend  more 
time  ...  in  SHEWING  UP  the  knots  in  the 
ravelled  skeins  of  our  neighbours. 

1883.  BLACK,  Yolande,  i.  Don't  you 
think  it  prudent  of  me  to  SHOW  UP  as  often 
as  I  can  in  the  House  ...  so  that  my 
good  friends  in  Slagpool  mayn't  begin 
to  grumble  about  my  being  away  so 
frequently  ? 

1886.  Times,  29  Mar.  Certain  persons 
in  high  stations  of  life  would  be  SHOWN  UP. 

1891.  STEVENSON,  Kidnapped,  287. 
Both  got  upon  their  knees  to  her  ;  and  the 
upshot  of  the  matter  was  that  she  SHOWED 
both  of  them  THE  DOOR. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  vi.  She 
wants  yer  TO  SHOW  UP  at  a  sort  o'  bun 
struggle  in  'er  room. 

1899.  DELANNOV,   £IQ,OOO,    xxx.     I 
didn't  want  to  GIVE  THE  SHOW  AWAY. 

1900.  SAVAGE,   Brought   to  Bay,  i. 
I'm  all  right,   if   I   SHOW   UP  at  eleven. 
Ibid.,  Looks  as  if  he  could  SHOW  UP  well 
in  .  .  .  Le  Sport. 

SHOWER,  subs,  (colloquial ) .  —  A 
shower-bath. 

1889.  Answers,  9  Feb.  After  lunch 
comes  the  heavy  work  of  the  day.  The 
crew  assemble  at  the  boathouse,  and  after 
going  through  exercise  in  a  pair-oared  boat, 
they  carry  out  the  eight.  Returning  to 
dinner  after  the  refreshing  '  SHOWER,'  they 
have  a  good,  plain  repast. 

SHOWING.  A  FRONT  SHOWING, 
subs.phr.  (military). — Parade  at 
short  notice  :  i.e.  without  time  to 
properly  prepare  accoutrements 
and  kit. 

SHOWMAN,  subs,  (theatrical). — See 
quot. 

1885.  G.  DOLBY,  Dickens  as  I  knew 
Him,  125.  The  SHOWMEN,  as  the  mana- 
gers of  the  theatres  and  caterers  for  public 
amusements  are  popularly  termed. 

SHOW  -  SUNDAY,  subs.  phr. 
(various). — Among  the  common- 
alty =  Easter  Sunday,  when  if  you 
don't  wear  something  new,  '  the 
rooks  will  shit  on  you  ' ;  at  Oxford, 
the  Sunday  in  Commemoration 
Week  (a  kind  of  University  Parade 


took  place  in  the  Broad  Walk  of 
Christ's,  but  the  invasion  of  Town 
has  stopped  it) ;  amongst  artists, 
&c. ,  the  Sunday  before  sending-in 
day,  when  the  studios  are  open  to 
visitors  and  friends. 

SHREDS  (or  SHREDS  and  PATCH- 
ES), subs,  (old). — A  tailor  :  see 
SNIP  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

SHRIEKING  (or  WHINING)  SISTER- 
HOOD, subs.  phr.  (journalistic). — 
The  world  of  women  reformers  : 
hence,  busybodies. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  208.  Yesterday  Ambrose  stum- 
bled upon  one  of  our  WHINING  SISTER- 
HOOD. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  20. 
This  yere  SHRIEKING  SISTERHOOD  lay 
ain't  "arf  bad. 

SHRIMP,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A 
drawf ;  a  pigmy  :  in  contempt 
(GROSE). 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Monk's  Tale,  Prol., 
67.  We  borel  men  been  SHRYMPES  ;  of 
fielde  trees  ther  comen  wrecched  ympes. 

1582.  STANYHURST,  ALneis  [ARBER], 
89.  A  windbeaten  hard  SHRIMP,  With 
lanck  wan  visadge,  with  rags  iags  pat- 
cherye  clowted. 

1623.  SHAKSPEARE,  i  Henry  VI., 
II.  3,  23.  It  cannot  be,  this  weake  and 
writhled  SHRIMPE  Should  strike  such  terror 
to  his  enemies. 

1772.  GARRICK,  Irish  Widow,  i.  i- 
Whit.  Why,  your  wife  is  five  feet  ten  ! 
Kec.  Without  her  shoes.  I  hate  your 
little  SHRIMPS. 

1786.  BURNS,  Jolly  Beggars.  Despise 
that  SHRIMP,  that  wither'd  imp. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.  (Aunt 
Fanny).  And  all  for  a  SHRIMP  not  as  high 
as  my  hat — A  little  contemptible  shaver 
like  that  1  ! 

1888.  Referee,  n  Nov.  Other  nippers 
—little  SHRIMPS  of  boys. 

2.     (old). — A    prostitute  :    see 
TART. 

1638.  WHITING,  A  Ibino  andBellama, 
52.  Vat  tough  me  vil  not  lye  vit  pimpes, 
And  pend  me's  coyne  on  light-teale 
SHRIMPES. 


Shrubbery. 


20 1 


Shut. 


SHRUBBERY,  subs,  (venery).— The 
pubic  hair  :  see  BUSH. 

SHUCK,  subs.  (American).— The 
lowest  standard  of  value  ;  spec, 
the  paper  currency  of  the  Con- 
federate States.  [At  the  close  of 
the  Civil  War  these  notes  became 
as  valueless  as  pca-SHUCKs]. 
Hence,  LESS  THAN  SHUCK  =  less 
than  nothing ;  TO  CARE  (or  BE 
WORTH)  NOT  A  SHUCK  =  to  care 
(or  be  worth)  little  ;  SHUCKLESS 
=  worthless  ;  SHUCKS  !  =  Non- 
sense :  a  contemptuous  denial  or 
refusal. 

Verb.    (American).  —  To   un- 
dress ;  TO  PEEL  (g.v.). 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life  [BART- 
LETT].  If  them  thar  is  all  he's  got  to  offer, 
he  ain't  worth  SHUCKS  ;  and,  if  you  don't 
lick  him  you  ain't  worth  SHUCKS  either. 

1847.  DARLEY,  Drama  in  Pokerville, 
68.     Mr.  Bagly  was  there  with  five  more 
barrels  [revolver]  to  do  the  same  for  any 
gentleman  who  might  say  '  SHUCKS  ! ' 

1848.  JONES,  Sketches  of  Travel,  117. 
I  SHUCKED  out  of  my  old  clothes,  and  got 
into  my  new  ones. 

1850.  LONGSTREET,  Southern  Sket- 
ches, 31.  He'd  get  mad  as  all  wrath  .  .  . 
and  the  first  thing  you  know'd,  he'd  SHUCK 
OFF  his  coat  to  fight. 

^.1852.  Traits  of  Amer.  Humour,  56. 
Arch  he  hopped  down  oflfn  his  ole  boss,  an' 
commenced  SHUCKIN'  hisself  fur  er  fight. 

1856.  Major  Jones's  Courtship,  48. 
One  great,  big,  yellow  cow,  what  wasn't 
worth  SHUCKS  to  trail. 

1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,  B  Dec. 
Did  you  ever  see  a  family  which  amounted 
to  SHUCKS  which  didn't  keep  a  dog?  Ibid., 
29  Dec.  Might  hev  bin  the  biggest  lawyer 
or  doctor  or  preacher  in  these  Yunited 
Staits  if  he  hadn't  bin  so  slashin'  SHUCK- 
LESS. 

SHUFFLE,  verb.  (GROSE).—  i.  'To 
make  use  of  false  pretences  or 
unfair  shifts.'  SHUFFLING-FEL- 
LOW (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  =  '  A 
slippery,  shiteing  Fellow.' 


2.  (Winchester). — To  pretend  ; 
to  feign  :  as  TO  SHUFFLE  sleep. 
Hence  SHUFFLER. 

SHUM,  subs.  (American  Circus). — 
In//.  =  money  :  see  RHINO. 

SHUNTER,  subs.  (Stock  Exchange). 
— See  quot. 

1871.  ATKIN,  House  Scraps,  .  .  . 
SHUNTER  .  .  .  one  who  buys  or  sells 
stocks  on  the  chance  of  undoing  his  busi- 
ness, on  one  of  the  provincial  Stock  Ex- 
changes, at  a  profit. 

SHURK,  subs.  (old). — A  sharper 
(B.  E.). 

SHUT.  To  SHUT  UP,  verb.  phr. 
(old :  now  vulgar).  —  To  hold 
one's  tongue  ;  to  compel  silence  ; 
TO  DRY  UP  (q.V.}.  Also  SHUT 

YOUR  NECK  (MOUTH,  HEAD,  or 
FACE  ;  SHUT-UP  !  or  SHUT  IT  !) : 
Fr.  ferme  ta  boite.  Hence,  TO  BE 
SHUT  UP  =  to  be  silenced,  ex- 
hausted, or  done  for. 

1563.  FOXE,  Acts  and  Monuments 
[CATTLEV],  viii.  216.  I  have  SHUT  UP 
your  lips  with  your  own  book. 

£.1570.  GASCOIGNE,  Poems  [CHAL- 
MERS, Eng.  Poets,  ii.  571].  Beautie  SHUT 
UP  THY  SHOP  [mouth]. 

1605.  SHAKSPEARE,  Lear,  v.  3,  155. 
SHUT  YOUR  MOUTH,  dame,  Or  with  this 
paper  shall  I  stop  it  ? 

1614.  JONSON,  Bartholomnv  Fair, 
v.  3.  Hold  thy  peace,  thy  scurrility,  SHUT 

UP  THY  MOUTH. 

1856.  STOWE,  Dred.,  i.  312.     This  is 
the  Lord's  ground  here  ;  so  SHUT  UP  your 
swearing,  and  don't  fight. 

1857.  DICKENS,  Little  Dorrit,  i.  13. 
It  SHUTS  THEM  UP  !  They  haven't  a  word 
to  answer. 

1858.  MURSELL,  Lecture  on  Slang: 
When  a  man  speaks,  he  spouts  ;  when  he 
holds  his  peace,  he  SHUTS  UP. 

1865.  Fun,  29  July,  '  English  Unde- 
nted.' I  sigh,  "  Carina  !  how  I  suffer  ;  Be 
thou  my  Juliet  !  Be  my  queen  ! "  She  only 
says,  "  SHUT  UP,  you  duffer  !  " 


Shut. 


202 


Shuttle-head. 


1877.  JOWETT,  Plato,  in.  6.  A  mere 
child  in  argument,  and  unable  to  foresee 
that  the  next  "move"  (to  use  a  Plutonic 
expression)  will  SHUT  HIM  UP. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  Pomes  [1897], 
54.  Oh,  SHUT  IT  !  Close  your  mouth  until 
I  tell  you  when. 

1888.  RUNCIMAN,  Chequers,  80. 
SHET  YOUR  NECK. 

1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack  Room  Bal- 
lads, 'The  Young  British  Soldier.'  You 
SHUT  UP  your  rag-box,  an'  'ark  to  my  lay. 

1895.  POCOCK,  Rules  of  the  Game,  i. 
"SHUT  YOUR  MOUTH,"  he  said,  "  or  I'll 
knife  you  1 

1896.  CRANE,    Maggie,    ix.     '  SHET 
YER  FACE,  an*  come  home  yeh  old  fool  ! ' 
roared  Jimmie. 

1807.  MAUGHAM,  Liza  of  Lambeth, 
V.  SHUT  IT  !  she  answered,  cruelly.  Ibid., 
xi.  "SHUT  UP!"  said  Jim.  ...  "I 
shan't  SHUT  UP." 

1901.  Troddles  and  Us,  75.  Murray's 
pleasantry  struck  us  as  being  untimely, 
and  we  told  him  to  SHUT  UP. 

2.  verb,  (racing). — See  quot. 

KRIK,  Guide  to  the  Turf,    To 

SHUT  UP  ...    to  give  up,   as  one  horse 
when  challenged  by  another  in  a  race. 

To  BE  SHUT  OF,  verb.  phr. 
(once  literary  :  now  vulgar). — To 
be  rid  of,  freed  from,  quit  of.  As 
subs.  (  HALLI WELL)  =  a  riddance. 

1596.  NASHE,  Haue  with  You,  To 
the  Reader.  And  doo  what  I  can,  I  shall 
not  be  SHUT  OF  him. 

1639.  MASSINGER,  Unnatural  Com- 
bat, iii.  i.  We  are  SHUT  OF  HIM,  He  will 
be  seen  no  more  here. 

1639.  SHIRLEY,  Maid's  Revenge,  ii. 
2.  We'll  bring  him  out  of  doors — Would 
we  were  SHUT  OF  HIM. 

^.1704.  L'ESTRANGE  [BARTLETT].  We 
must  not  pray  in  one  breath  to  find  a  thief, 
and  in  the  next  to  get  SHUT  OF  him. 

1847.  Chronicles    of  Pineville,   34. 
Never  mind,  doctor,  we'll  GET  SHUT   OF 
him. 

1848.  MRS.  GASKELL,  Mary  Barton, 
v.     And    as    for   a   bad   man,   one's  glad 
enough  to  GET  SHUT  ON  him. 


1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  ii.  Father  was  one  of  those  people 
that  GETS  SHUT  OF  a  deal  of  trouble  in  this 
world  by  always  sticking  to  one  thing. 

1891.  STEVENSON,  Kidnapped,  96. 
What  we  want  is  to  be  SHUT  OF  him. 

1896.  KIPLING,  The  Big  Drunk 
Draf.  I  never  knew  how  I  liked  the  gray 
garron  till  I  was  SHUT  OF  him  an'  Asia. 

SHUTS,  subs.  (Christ's  Hospital). — 
A  hoax,  a  SELL  (q.v.).  As  intj. 
=  f  Sold  again  ! ' 

SHUTTERS.     To    PUT    UP    THE 

SHUTTERS,  verb.  phr.  (pugilists'). 
— i.  To  'bung  up'  an  oppo- 
nent's eyes. 

2.  (common).  —  To  announce 
oneself  a  bankrupt ;  to  stop  pay- 
ment. 

SHUTTER- RACKET,  stibs.  phr.  (old). 
— '  The  practice  of  robbing  houses 
or  shops,  by  boring  a  hole  in  the 
window  shutters  and  taking  out  a 
pane  of  glass  '  (GROSE  and  VAUX). 

SHUTTLE- BAG.  To  SWALLOW  THE 
SHUTTLE-B4.G,  verb.  phr.  (pro- 
vincial).— To  get  husky. 

SHUTTLE-HEAD  (-BRAIN,  or  -WIT), 

subs.  phr.  (old). — An  eccentric  ; 
a  scattering.  Whence  SHUTTLE- 
HEADED,  &c.  =  flighty,  scatter- 
brained ;  SHUTTLENESS  =  rash- 
ness,  thoughtlessness.  Also  SHIT- 

TLE-HEAD,  &C. 

c.i  440.     Paston  Letters,  I.   69.     I   am 
aferd     that     Jon    of     Sparham    is  ... 

SCHYTTL-WYTTED. 

1564.  UDALL,  Erasmus,  341.  Me- 
tellus  was  so  SHUTTLE-BRAINED  that  even 
in  the  middes  of  his  tribuneship  he  left  his 
office  in  Rome. 

1580.  BARET,  Atvearze[H.ALi.i\VEi.i.]. 
The  vain  SHITTLENESSE  of  an  unconstant 
head. 

1590.  GREENE,  Quip  for  Upstart 
Courtier  [Harl.  Misc.,  v.  417].  Upstart 
boies,  and  SHITTLE-WITTED  fools. 


Shy. 


203 


Shy. 


i.  NASH.  Torn  Nash  his  Ghost 
[Old  Book  Coll.  Misc.].  I  would  wish 
these  SHUTTLE-HEADS  that  desire  to  take 
in  the  embers  of  rebellion,  to  give  over 
blowing  the  coals  too  much. 

1625-49.  MS.  Poem  [HALLIWELL  : 
temp.  Chas.  I.].  Nor  can  you  deem  them 

SHUTTLE-HEADED     fellows     Who     for     the 

Lord  are  so  exceeding  zealous. 

1639-61.  Rump  Songs  (1662),  i.  7.  Is 
it  not  strange  that  in  their  SHUTTLE-HEAD 
three  Kingdoms  ruines  should  be  buried  ? 

^.1894.  STEVENSON,  Olalla.  I  won- 
dered what  had  called  forth  in  a  lad  so 
SHUTTLE-WITTED  this  enduring  sense  of 
duty. 

SHY,  subs,  (colloquial). — Generic 
for  a  piece  of  action  :  as  a  throw, 
a  chance,  an  attempt,  a  jibe.  As 
verb.  —  to  do,  to  make,  to  throw, 
and  all  other  verbs  of  action 
(GROSE  and  BEE). 

1824.  EGAN,  Boxiana,  iv.  149.  I 
like  to  have  a  SHY  for  my  money. 

1827.  SCOTT,  Diary,  26  Mar.  I  can- 
not keep  up  with  the  world  without  SHYING 
a  letter  now  and  then. 

1849-50.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis, 
Ixxv.  I  went  with  my  last  ten  florin  and 
had  a  SHY  at  the  roulette.  Ibid.  (1854-5), 
Newcomes,  xvi.  There  you  go,  Polly, 
you're  always  having  a  SHY  at  Lady 
Anne  .  .  .  '  A  SHY  !  how  can  you  use  such 
vulgar  words.' 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life  [BART- 
LETT].  Just  to  make  matters  lively,  I  ... 
SHIED  a  few  soft  things  at  her. 

1857.  READE,  Never  Too  Late,  xv. 
He  ...  SHI  ED  the  pieces  of  glass  carefully 
over  the  wall. 

1859.  LEVER,  Davenport  Dunn,  xx. 
Though  the  world  does  take  liberties  with 
the  good-tempered  fellows,  it  SHIES  them 
many  a  stray  favour. 

1863-4.  CHAMBERS,  Book  of  Days,  i. 
238.  Where  the  cock  belonged  to  some 
one  disposed  to  make  it  a  matter  of 
business,  twopence  was  paid  for  three 
SHIES  at  it,  the  missile  used  being  a  broom- 
stick. 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  17  Sep.  With 
a  grievous  '  clod '  in  his  hand  TO  SHY  at  it. 

1888.  BLACK,  Far  Lochaber,  vi.  He 
has  an  abject  fear  of  cats  .  .  .  and  if  he 
can  SHY  a  stone  at  one  when  it  doesn't  see 
him,  that  is  delight. 


1889.  NORRIS,  Miss  Shafto,  viii.  An 
honest  man  has  a  much  better  chance  on 
the  turf  than  he  has  in  the  City  .  .  .  I've 
had  a  SHY  at  both. 

Adj.,  adv.  and  verb,  (collo- 
quial).— i.  Missing,  hard  to  find  : 
whence  SHYCOCK  =  'one  who 
keeps  within  doors  for  fear  of 
bailiffs'  (GROSE).  Hence  (2)  = 
'  coy,  squeamish,  cold,  or  averse' 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE).  Cf.  verb. 
Also  (3)  of  dubious  repute  or 
character.  As  verb,  (in  quot. 
1796  =  a  wary  man) ;  TO  FIGHT 
SHY  of  =  to  keep  out  of  the  way, 
to  abstain. 

1796.  REYNOLDS,  Fortune's  Fool,  v. 
The  members  rose,  lock'd  the  door,  and 
call'd  me  a  SHYCOCK. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  311.  We  have  all  our  weak 
side  .  .  .  does  he  wench?  .  .  .  Do  not 
FIGHT  SHY  I  beseech  you.  Ibid  (1771), 
Humph.  Clinker  (1900),  78.  The  doctor 
being  a  SHY  COCK  would  not  be  caught 
with  chaff. 

1821.  HAGGART,  Life,  30.  Although 
I  had  not  been  idle  during  these  three 
months,  I  found  my  blunt  getting  SHY. 

1825.  JONES,  True  Bottom'd  Boxer 
[Univ.  Songst.   ii.  96].     You  SHY-COCKS, 
he  shows  'em  no  favour,  'od  rot  'em  all. 

1826.  Old  Song; _  'Bobby  and    His 
Mary '  [  Univ.  Songst.  iii.  108].    The  blunt 
ran  SHY,  and  Bobby  brush'd,  To  get  more 
rag  not  fearing. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Legends 
(Old  Woman  Clothed  in  Grey).  That 
all  who  espied  her,  Immediately  SHIED 
her,  And  strove  to  get  out  of  her  way. 

%  1841.  _  LEVER,  Charles  O'Malley, 
Ixxix.  His  friends  SHY  him. 

1849.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis,  xxv. 
Mr.  Wagg  .  .  .  said,  '  Rather  a  SHY 
place  for  a  sucking  county  member,  ay, 
Pynsent?1  Ibid.  (1860),' Philip,  xix.  The 
dinner,  I  own,  is  SHY  unless  I  come  and 
dine  with  my  friends  ;  and  then  I  make  up 
for  banyan  days. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.  iii. 
136.  They  bring  'em  out,  when  business 
is  SHY,  for  a  draw,  which  they  always  find 
them  answer. 


Shyster. 


204 


Sick. 


1854.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  General 
Bounce,  xiii.  If  '  Sennacherib '  breaks 
down,  and  Blanche  Kettering  fights 
SHY,  .  .  .  have  I  not  still  got  something 
to  fall  back  upon  ? 

1860.  DICKENS,  Uncommercial 
Traveller,  x.  60.  Nothing  in  SHY  neigh- 
bourhoods perplexes  my  mind  more  than 
the  bad  company  birds  keep. 

1864.  H.  J.  BYRON,  Paid  in  Pull,  v. 
Hadn't  SHY  turf-transactions  been   more 
than  hinted  at. 

1865.  Glasgow  Herald,  23  Sept.  The 
guests  SHY  all  European  topics. 

1870.  D.    Telegraph,   7   Feb.      The 
reader    who    wades    through    the    rather 
hopeful    jungle    of    the    title-page,    will 
certainly  SHY  at  Mr.  Beste's  preface. 

SHYSTER,  subs.  (American).— i. 
See  quot.  1859.  2.  (common)  = 
a  swindler,  duffer,  or  vagabond  : 
a  generic  term  (1903)  of  con- 
tempt. 
1857.  New  York  Tribune,  13  Mar. 

The    SHYSTERS   or   Tombs    lawyers  .  .  . 

sought  to  intercede  for  their  clients ;  but 

the  magistrates  would  listen  to  no  appeals. 

1859.  BARTLETT,  Americanism 
(1896),  590,  s.v.  SHYSTER,  a  set  of  men 
who  hang  about  the  police  courts  of  New 
York  and  other  large  cities,  and  practise  in 
them  as  lawyers,  but  who  in  many  cases 
have  never  been  admitted  to  the  bar.  They 
are  men  who  have  served  as  policemen, 
turnkeys,  sheriffs  officers,  or  in  any  ca- 
pacity by  which  they  have  become  familiar 
with  criminals  and  criminal  courts. 

1864.  D.  Telegraph,  26  July.  SHY- 
STER who  goes  to  bed  in  his  boots. 

1871.  DE  VERE,  Americanisms,  .  .  . 
This  is  the  SHYSTER  .  .  .  Ill-reputed  men 
[who]  offer  their  services  to  the  new-comer, 
compel  him  to  pay  a  fee  in  advance,  and 
then — do  nothing.     On  the  contrary,  they 
fight   SHY    of  him,  and  hence  they  have 
obtained  their  name. 

1877.  MARK,  Green  Past,,  xli.  They 
held  aloof  from  ordinary  society — looked 
on  a  prominent  civic  official  as  a  mere 
SHYSTER — and  would  have  nothing  to  do 
with  a  system  of  local  government  con- 
trolled by  30,000  bummers,  loafers,  and 
dead-beats. 

1882.  McCABE,  New  York,  xxv.  417- 
8.  If  the  prisoner  has  no  money,  the 
SHYSTER  will  take  his  pay  out  in  any  kind 
of  personal  property  that  can  be  pawned  or 
sold. 


1902.  BOOTHBY,  Uncle  Joe's  Legacy, 
98.  The  SHYSTER  lawyer,  the  bigamist 
Henry  Druford,  and  last  but  not  least  .  .  . 
the  company  promoter. 

SICE,  subs.  (Old  Cant). — Sixpence  : 
see  RHINO  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

1672.  Covent  Garden  Drollery, 
'  Greenwich  Strowlers.'  The  prizes  they 
took,  were  a  Londoner's  groat,  A  Gentle- 
man's SICE,  but  his  skipkennel's  pot. 

1688.  SHADWELL,  Squire  of  Alsatia. 
[In  list  of  cant  words.] 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  266.  Some 
pretty  nymphs  .  .  .  but  are  sometimes 
forced  to  tick  half  a  SICE  a-piece  for  their 
watering. 

1707.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  n.  iii.  27. 
For  who'd  not  readily  advance  A  SICE  to 
see  the  Devil  dance. 

1840.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  iii.  As 
Mrs.  Lobkins  expressed  it,  two  bobs  for 
the  Latin,  and  a  SICE  for  the  vartue ! 

SICK,  adj.  (colloquial).  —  In  its 
primary,  extended,  and  old  lite- 
rary sense  (as  in  the  Bible  and 
Shakspeare),  SICK  (  =  disabled  by 
disease  or  bad  health)  now 
borders  on  the  colloquial,  having 
been  superseded  by  "ill,"  whilst 
SICK  is  confined  to  vomiting  or 
nausea.  There  are  also  excep- 
tional usages.  Thus  SICK  (  = 
muddy)  WINE  ;  SICK  (  =  stale) 
FISH  ;  A  SICK  HAND  (at  cards, 
esp.  whist  =  without  trumps) ;  A 
SICK  (  =  pale)  LOOK  ;  A  SICK  (  = 
ruffled)  TEMPER,  &c.  Also,  *  IT 
MAKES  ME  SICK  (or  GIVES  ME 

THE  SICK)  '  =  *  I  am  disgusted 
with  it ' ;  SICK  AS  A  HORSE  (DOG, 
RAT,  CAT,  CUSHION,  or  what  not) 
=  sick  as  may  be  (GROSE)  ;  SICK 

OF  THE  IDLES  (THE  LOMBARD 
FEVER,  or  THE  IDLE  CRICK  AND 
THE  BELLY  WORK  IN  THE  HEEL, 

RAY)  =  '  a  pretence  to  be  idle 
upon  no  apparent  cause ' ;  TO 

SPEAK    IN   THE  SICK  TUNE  =  to 

affect  sickness  ;  SICKLY  (adv.)  = 
untoward  or  disgusting ;  SICKREL 


Sickener. 


205 


Side. 


(B.  E.)  =  «  a  puny,  sickly  Crea- 
ture.' Also  (American)  =  lacking, 
in  need  of:  as  paint-siCK,  nail- 

SICK  :  Cf.  HOME-SICK,  MOTHER- 
SICK,  SLEEP-SICK,  &c.  Likewise 
(venery)  SITTING  UP  WITH  A 
SICK  FRIEND  =  an  excuse  for 
marital  absence  all  night. 

1600.  SHAKSPEARE,  Muck  Ado,  Hi. 
4,  44.  Why,  how  now?  Do  you  speak  in 
the  SICK  TUNE? 

1626.  SYLVESTER,  Du  Bartas,  i.  7. 
Such  a  SLEEP-SICK  Elf. 

1693.  CONGREVE,  Old  Batchelor,  ii. 
3.  I  swear  you'd  MAKE  ONE  SICK  to  hear 
you. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Petite  C0nv.,i.  Poor 
MisSj  she's  SICK  AS  A  CUSHION,  she  wants 
nothing  but  stuffing. 

1759.  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy, 
VH.  ii.  I  am  SICK  AS  A  HORSE,  quoth  I, 
already. 

1870.  MEDBERY,  Men  and  Mysteries 
of  Wall  St.  [BARTLETT].  When  brokers 
hesitate  to  buy  there  is  said  to  be  a  SICK 

MARKET. 

1888.  D.  News,  4  Dec.     When  the 
barrel  came  to  his  place  from  Burton  it 
was  in  a  very  dull  condition,  and  was  what 
was  known  as  SICK. 

1889.  RIALTO,  23  Mar.    Even  Kaffirs 
raised  their  SICKLY  heads. 

1867.  Harper's  Weekly,  xxxiv.  554. 
My  boats  kinder  giv'  out.  She  ain't  nothin' 
mor'n  NAIL-SICK,  though. 

1893.  E.  S.  SHEPPARD,  Counterparts, 
Intro.  The  Shelley  [a  boat],  she  lays  down 

at  it,  SICK  OF  PAINT. 

1895.  POCOCK,  Rules  of  the  Game,  \. 
I've  quit  reading  lest  I  should  find  myself 
in  print.  MAKES  ME  SICK. 

1897.     MAUGHAM,  'Liza  of  Lambeth, 

1.      It  GIVES  ME  THE  SICK. 

1900.  KIPLING,  Stalky  and  Co.,  25. 
Keep  your  eye  on  King,  and,  if  he  gives 
us  a  chance,  appeal  to  the  Head.  That 
always  MAKES  'EM  SICK. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xxxiv. 
You  MAKE  ME  SICK  with  your  silly  fears. 

SICKENER,  subs,  (common). — Too 
much  (even  of  a  good  thing) ;  a 
cause  of  disgust.  Cf.  BELLYFUL. 


1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  1 80.  Enough  to  have  given  a 
SICKENER  to  the  inveterate  stomachs  of  a 
regiment. 

1 8 1 8.  EG  AN,  Boxiana,  \.  267.  Ward's 
friends  were  now  in  high  spirits,  and  the 
betting  went  forwards,  as  it  was  thought 
that  Dan  had  received  rather  a  SICKENER. 

1827.  PEAKE,  Comfortable  Lodgings, 
i.  2.  I  took  a  favourable  opportunity  to 
insult  him  :  this  morning  I  gave  him  a 
sic  KENER. 

1884.  RUSSELL,  Jack's  Courtship, 
xxxii.  But  sometimes  you  will  get  a 
dreary  SICKENER  betwixt  the  Channel  and 
the  parallel  where  the  steady  breeze  is 
picked  up. 

1889.  STEVENSON,  Master  ofBallan- 
trae,  ii.  It  was  plain  this  lucky  shot  had 
given  them  a  SICKENER  of  their  trade. 

SIDE,  subs,  (common). — SWAGGER 

(q.v.);  conceit:  thus,  TO  PUT  ON 

SIDE  =  to  'give  oneself  airs'  :  Fr. 

se  hancher. 

1878.     HATTON,  Cruel  London,  vm. 

ii.    Cool,  downy  cove,  who  PUTS  SIDE  ON. 

1880.  PAYN,  Confid.  Agent,  xi.  The 
captain  sauntered  up  the  mews,  with  a 
good  deal  of  SIDE  ON,  which  became  a 
positive  swagger  as  he  emerged  into  the 
more  fashionable  street. 

1880.  HAWLEY  SMART,  Social  Sin- 
ners, xiii.  He  has  proved  a  most  apt 
pupil  in  the  acquisition  of  what,  in  the 
slang  of  the  day,  is  denominated  SIDE, 
which,  translated  into  dictionary  language, 
meaneth  the  conceit  of  the  young. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  Pomes  [1897], 
10.  I'd  no  notion  he  be  coming  it  with 
such  a  lot  of  SIDE. 

1895.  IOTA,  Comedy  in  Spasms,  i. 
Rugby  boy,  lately  back  from  a  seven  years 
residence  in  England, — the  possessor  of 
unimpaired  health,  abounding  SIDE,  but 
limited  sentiment. 

1901.  Sp.  Times,  27  April,  i,  4.  Her 
belief  that  she  moves  in  a  '  classy '  set, 
And  the  SIDE  ...  all  are  due  to  being 
badly  bred. 

Intj.  (North  Country).— Yes  ! 

See  BLANKET  ;  BEST  SIDE  ; 
BLIND  SIDE;  JACK;  MOUTH; 
PULL  ;  RIGHT  SIDE  ;  SEAMY  ; 
SET;  SHADY;  SHINNY;  SPLIT; 
WRONG  SIDE. 


Sideboard. 


206 


Sight. 


SIDEBOARD,  subs,  (obsolete). — i. 
A  shirt-collar  of  the  '  stand-up ' 
order.  Also  (2)  in  //.  =  whis- 
kers, SIDE-WINGS,  GILLS  (q.V.\ 

SIDE-POCKET,  subs.  phr.  (Ameri- 
can).— An  out-of-the-way  drink- 
ing saloon. 

WANTED  AS  MUCH  AS  A  DOG 
(or  A  TOAD)  WANTS  A  SIDE- 
POCKET,  phr.  (old). — *  A  simile 
used  for  one  who  desires  anything 
by  no  means  necessary'  (GROSE). 
See  also  WIFE. 

SIDE-SIM,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
fool :  see  BUFFLE. 

1612.  Passenger  of  Benevenuto 
[NARES],  Reach  me  that  platter  there, 
you  SIDE  SIMME.  This  fellow  the  higher 
hee  is  in  stature  the  more  foole  he  grows. 

SIDE-SLIP,  subs.  phr.  (common). — 
bastard  ;  a  BYE-BLOW  (q.v.) 

1872.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch,  xl.  The 
old  man  .  .  .  left  it  to  this  SIDE-SLIP  of  a 
son  that  he  kept  in  the  dark. 

SIDE-SPLITTER,  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— A  funny  story.  Hence, 
SIDE-SPLITTING  =  'screamingly' 
funny. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  36. 
SIDE  SPLITTERS,  spice,  and  the  like. 

SIDETRACK,  verb.  (American). — To 
SHUNT  (q.v.')  ',  to  avoid  ;  to  place 
on  one  side  ;  to  discontinue. 

1889.  Det.  Free  Press,  12  Jan.  Then 
he  said  to  Beverly,  who  had  been  SIDE- 
TRACKED :  '  Now  I'll  be  Tucker  for  a 
while,  and  you  can  be  Tucker's  brother.' 

1892.  GUNTER,  Miss  Dividends,  vi. 
Call  me  Buck  1  SIDE-TRACK  the  'Mr. 
Powers '  ! 

SIDE-WINDER,  subs.  phr.  (pugi- 
listic).— A  heavy  blow  with  the 
fist :  also  SIDEWIPE. 

1850.  Southern  Skttek*s[HAXttJttT\. 

Arch  would  fetch  him  a  SIDE-WIPE  on  the 
head,  and  knock  him  into  the  middle  of 
next  week. 


SIDLEDYWRY,^'.  (old). — Crooked 
(GROSE). 

SIDNEY-BIRD.   See  SYDNEY  SIDER. 

SIEGE,  subs,  (old  colloquial). — I. 
Excrement ;  faecal  matter  ;  (2)  a 
jakes ;  and  (3)  defecation  :  as 
verb.  =to  stool  (B.  E.,  1696). 

1548.  BARCLAY,  Eclogues  [CUNNING- 
HAM]. For  sure  the  lord's  SIEGE  and  the 
rural  man's  Is  of  like  savour. 

1603.  JONSON,  Sejanus,  i.  2.  I  do 
not  ask  you  of  their  urines,  Whose  smell's 
most  violet,  or  whose  SIEGE  is  best,  Or 
who  makes  hardest  faces  on  her  stool. 

1609.  SHAKSPEARE,  Tempest,  ii.  2. 
How  cam'st  thou  to  be  in  the  SIEGE  of  this 
mooncalf?  Can  he  vent  Trinculos. 

1646.  BROWNE,  Vulgar  Errors.  It 
accompanieth  the  unconvertible  part  in  the 

SIEGE. 

SIEVE,  subs.  (old). — A  loose-spoken 
person;   a  BLAB  (q.v.) :   cf.  'As 
well  pour  water  into  a  SIEVE  as 
tell  him'  (RAY). 
d.rjoi.    DRYDEN,  Mock  Astrologer,  i. 

i.  Why  then,  as  you  are  a  waiting-woman, 

as  you  are  the  SIEVE  of  all   your  lady's 

secrets,  tell  it  me. 

SIFT,  verb,  (thieves'). — To  embezzle 
small  coins :  such  as  might  pass 
through  a  sieve. 

SIFTER,  subs.  (American). — A  drink 
composed  of  whiskey,  honey, 
strawberry-syrup,  lemon,  and  ice. 

SIGHT,  subs.  (colloquial).  —  i. 
Generic  for  magnitude  (that  is, 
something  worth  looking  at) : 
thus  a  SIGHT  of  people  =  a 
multitude ;  a  SIGHT  of  work  = 
untiring  industry  or  '  enough  and 
to  spare ' ;  a  SIGHT  of  money  = 
a  large  amount  (BEE).  Hence, 
OUT  OF  SIGHT  =  unrivalled,  be- 
yond comparison  ;  A  SMART 
(PRETTY,  PRECIOUS,  POWERFUL, 
&c.)  SIGHT  =  a  great  deal;  A 
SIGHT  FOR  SORE  EYES  =  some- 
thing to  please  :  also  in  sarcasm. 


Sight. 


207 


Sight. 


1393.  GOWER,  Conf.  A  mantis  (PAVI.I, 
I.  121).  A  wonder  SIGHT  of  flowers. 

1440-50.  Plumpton  Papers  [OLI- 
HANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  268.  There  are  the 
nouns  karving  knyves  ;  a  SIGHT  (number) 
OF  PEOPLE  .  .  .]. 

dr.  14  [?].  [MARSH,  Eng:  Lang.,  i.  viii. 
Juliana  Berners,  lady  prioress  of  the 
nunnery  of  Sopwell  in  the  fifteenth  cen- 
tury, informs  us  that  in  her  time  'a 
bomynable  SYGHT  of  monkes  '  was  elegant 
English  for  a  large  company  of  friars], 

1534.  TYNDALE,  Bible,  Heb.  xii.  22. 
Ye  are  come  vnto  the  Mounte  Sion  .  .  . 
and  to  an  innumerable  SIGHT  of  angels. 

1540.  PALSGRAVE,  Acolastus.  Where 
is  so  great  a  strength  of  money,  Where 
is  so  huge  a  SYGHT  of  mony. 

1848.  CARLETON,  New  Purchase,  n. 
74.  Yes,  Mr.  Speaker,  I'd  a  powerful 


consent  to  that 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown's  School- 
days, n.  vii.  It's  a  precious  SIGHT  harder 
than  I  thought. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
iii.  This  'ere  Dartmoor  is  a  BLESSED 
SIGHT  better  than  Chatham,  I  can  tell 
you. 

1888.  Owosso  (Mich.)  Press,  April. 
Doctor,  I'm  a  dead  man  !  .  .  .  NOT  BY  A 

BLANKETY  BLANK  BLANK  SIGHT. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  14. 
That  beats  any  sermon  a  SIGHT. 


SIGHT    sooner    go    nto  retracy  .  .  .  nor 
t  bill. 


MARSH,  Crime  and  Criminal, 
xxiii.     He   was   A  SIGHT  FOR  SORE  EYES 


1899. 

xiii.     He 
...  I  like  to  see  a  man  that  is  a  man. 


2.  (colloquial).  —  An      oppor- 
tunity ;  a  chance  ;  a  SHOW  (q.v.). 
To  GET  WITHIN  SIGHT  =  to  near 
the  end. 

3.  (colloquial).—  An  oddity;  a 
scarecrow  :  also  contemptuously, 
'  Her  new  jacket  was  a  perfect 
SIGHT,'  or  '  You've  made  yourself 
a  regular  SIGHT  '  =  'Not  fit  to  be 
seen.' 

1694.  PENN,  Rise  .  .  .  of  Quakers, 
ii.  It  was  not  very  easy  to  our  primitive 
friends  to  make  themselves  SIGHTS  and 
spectacles,  and  the  scorn  and  derision  of 
the  world. 


4.  (American). — As  far  as  can 
be  seen  at  one  time,  as  the  reach 
of  a  river,  or  a  bend  in  a  road  : 
thus,  in  directing  a  person,  '  Go 
three  SIGHTS  on,  and  take,'  &c. 

Also   A    LOOK. 

5.  (common).  — A  gesture  of  de- 
rision :  the  thumb  on  the  nose-tip 
and  the  fingers  spread  fan-wise  : 
also   QUEEN   ANNE'S    FAN.     A 
DOUBLE  SIGHT  is  made  by  joining 
the  tip  of  the  little  finger  (already 
in  position)  to  the  thumb  of  the 
other    hand,    the    fingers    being 
similarly  extended.     Emphasis  is 
given  by   moving  the  fingers   of 
both  hands  as  if  playing  a  piano. 
Similar    actions    are    TAKING   A 

GRINDER  (q.V.)  or  WORKING  THE 
COFFEE-MILL  (ff.V.);  PULLING 
BACON  (q.V.)',  MAKING  A  NOSE 

(or     LONG      NOSE)  ;    COCKING 

SNOOKS,    &C. 

1702.  Eng.  Theophrastus,  '  Frontis- 
piece.' [Truth  stripping  a  fine  lady  of  her 
false  decorations,  with  one  hand  removes  a 
painted  mask,  and  with  the  other  pulls 
away  her  "borrowed"  hair  and  head- 
dress, showing  an  ugly  face,  and  a  head  as 
round  and  smooth  as  a  bullet.  Below 
there  are  four  little  satyrs,  one  of  whom  is 
taking  a  single  SIGHT,  or  making  "  a  nose  " 
at  the  lady ;  whilst  a  second  is  taking  a 
DOUBLE  SIGHT,  or  "  long  nose,"  towards 
the  spectator.  — N.  &Q-,  5  S. ,  iii.  298.  ] 

1712.  Spectator,  354.  The  'prentice 
speaks  his  disrespect  by  an  extended 
finger,  and  the  porter  by  stealing  out  his 
tongue. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends, 
'  Nell  Cook.'  He  put  his  thumb  unto  his 
nose  and  spread  his  fingers  out. 

1840.  DICKENS,  Old  Curiosity  Shop, 
xxxviii.  Even  Mr.  Chuckster  would  some- 
times condescend  to  give  him  a  slight  nod, 
or  to  honour  him  with  that  peculiar  form 
of  recognition  which  is  called  TAKING  A 
.«IGHT. 

1871.  Morning  Advertiser,  n  Sept. 
The  fame  of  mighty  Nelson  shall  not  with 
his  compare,  Who  .  .  .  thrusts  his  tongue 
into  his  cheek,  and  TAKES  A  SIGHT  at 
Death. 

O 


Sign. 


208 


Silk. 


1875.  Notes  and  Queries,  5  S.,  iii. 
2g8.  TAKING  A  SIGHT.— Pictorial  illus- 
trations of  this  gesture  prior  to  the  time  of 
the  Georges,  are,  I  believe,  not  very 
common. 

1886.  Household  Words,  2  Oct.  453. 
[This]  peculiar  action  has,  I  believe, 
almost  invariably  been  described  as 
TAKING  A  SIGHT.  A  solicitor,  however, 
in  a  recent  police  case  at  Manchester, 
described  it  as  pulling  bacon. 

To  PUT  OUT  OF  SIGHT,  verb, 
phr.  (common). — To  eat;  to  con- 
sume. 

SIGN.  Here  may  be  arranged  two 
or  three  obsolete  colloquialisms — 

SIGN  OF  A  HOUSE  TO  LET  =  a 
widow's  weeds  (GROSE) ;  the  SIGN 
OF  THE  FEATHERS  =  a  woman's 
best  good  graces ;  at  THE  SIGN 
OF  THE  HORN  =  in  cuckoldom  ; 

the  SIGN  OF  THE  PRANCER  =  the 

Nag's  Head;  the  SIGN  OF  THE 
THREE  BALLS  =  a  pawnbroker's  ; 

SIGN      OF     THE      FIVE     (TEN     Or 

FIFTEEN)  SHILLINGS  =  The 
Crown  (The  Two  Crowns,  or  The 
Three  Crowns).— GROSE  (1785) ; 

TO   LIVE    AT  THE   SIGN   OF   THE 

CATS'  FOOT  =  to  be  hen-pecked. 

1567.  HARMAN,  Caveat  (1869),  85. 
A  bene  mort  hereby  at  THE  SIGN  OF  THE 
PRAUNCER. 

SIGNBOARD,  subs,  (common).  — 
The  face  :  see  DIAL. 

SIGN -MANUAL,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
The  mark  of  a  blow. 

1822.  SCOTT,  Fortunes  of  Nigel, 
xxiii.  I  bear  some  marks  of  the  parson 
about  me  ...  The  man  of  God  bears  my 
SIGN-MANUAL  too,  but  the  Duke  made  us 
friends  again. 

SIKES.    See  BILL  SIKES. 
SIL.     See  SILVER-BEGGAR. 

SILENCE,  verb,  (old:  now  recog- 
nised). —  To  knock  down  ;  to 
stun  ;  to  kill  (GROSE).  Whence 
SILENCER  —  a  knock-down  or 
stunning  blow. 


SILENCE  IN  THE  COURT,  THE 
CAT  is  PISSING,  /Ar.  (old).  —  'A 
gird  upon  anyone  requiring  silence 
unnecessarily  '  (GROSE). 

SILENT-BEARD,  subs.  phr.  (venery). 
—  The  female  pubic  hair  :  see 
FLEECE. 


,.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  202.  It  is 
not  fit  the  SILENT  BEARD  should  know  how 
much  it  has  been  abus'd  .  .  .  for,  if  it  did, 
it  would  .  .  .  make  it  open  its  sluice  to 
the  drowning  of  the  low  countries  in  an 
inundation  of  salt-water. 

SILENT-FLUTE.     See  FLUTE. 

SILK,  subs,  (common).—  i.  A  King's 
Counsel  ;  also  SILK-GOWN.  [The 
canonical  K.C.'s  robe  is  of  silk  ; 
that  of  a  Junior  Counsel  of  stuff.  ] 
Hence  TO  TAKE  SILK  =  to  attain 
the  rank  of  King's  (or  Queen's) 
Counsel.  2.  (clerical)  =  a  bishop  : 
the  apron  is  of  silk. 

1838.  JERROLD,  Men  of  Character 
(John  Applejohn),  viii.  The  finest  lawn 
[bishop]  makes  common  cause  with  any 
linen  bands  —  the  SILKEN  APRON  shrinks 
not  from  poor  prunella. 

1853.  DICKENS,  Bleak  House,  i.  Mr. 
Blowers,  the  eminent  SILK-GOWN. 

1872.  Standard,  16  Aug.,  Second 
Leader.  Mr.  J.  P.  Benjamin  (an  Ameri- 
can gentleman)  has,  in  the  professional 
phrase,  RECEIVED  SILK  ;  in  other  words 
has  been  raised  to  the  rank  of  Queen's 
Counsel  at  the  English  Bar. 

i88p.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  6  Nov.,  6,  i. 
Some  time  ago  the  presence  of  a  learned 
SILK  was  required  in  court  at  eleven  o'clock. 

1890.  Globe,  6  May,  6,  i.  Mr.  Reid's 
rise  has  been  steady  and  sure.  Called  at 
the  age  of  twenty-five,  he  TOOK  SILK  only 
eleven  years  later,  and  is  now  a  Bencher 
of  his  Inn  at  the  age  of  forty-four. 

To  CARRY  (or  SPORT)  SILK, 
verb.  phr.  (racing).  —  To  run  (or 
RIDE)  in  a  race. 

1884.  HAWLEY  SMART,  Post  to 
Finish,  219.  One  thing  he  was  clear 
about  —  that  there  could  be  no  hope  of  his 
passing  unrecognised  if  he  WORE  SILK  on 
the  Town  Moor, 


Silk-petticoat. 


209 


Silly-season. 


1889.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  18  Jan.  The 
largest  number  we  saw  CARRY  SILK  during 
the  two  days. 

SILK-PETTICOAT.  ^SILK-STOCK- 
ING. 

SILK  POST,  subs.  phr.  (GROSE). — 
'  Assumption  of  a  gentleman  com- 
moner's gown.  Oxf.  Univ.  Cant? 

SILK-PURSE.    See  SOW'S-EAR. 

SlLK-SNATCHER,      subs.     phr. 

(GROSE). — 'Thieves  who  snatch 
hoods  or  bonnets  from  persons 
walking  in  the  streets. ' 

SILK-STOCKING,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
A  rich  man  or  woman.  [Silken 
hose  were  regarded  as  extrava- 
gant and  luxurious.]  Hence, 

THE  SILK-STOCKING    GENTRY  (or 

ELEMENT)  =  the  wealthy  classes  ; 
and  SILKEN  =  luxurious ;  YOUR 
SILKINESS  !  =  Mr.  Luxury.  Also 
SILK-PETTICOAT  =  a  woman  of 
fashion  (in  quot.  1706  =  a  whore 
of  price). 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  King  John,  v.  i, 
70.  A  cocker'd  SILKEN  wanton. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  Hi.  i.  Sir, 
YOUR  SILKINESS  clearely  mistakes  Maecenas 
and  his  bouse. 

1706.  WARD,  Wooden.  World,  62, 
1  A  Midship-Man.'  He  will  have  a  Whore 
.  .  .  tho'  he  pay  for  it  ...  SILK-PETTI- 
COATS are  not  to  be  had  for  the  uptaking. 

SILKWORM,  subs.  (old). — See  quot. 

1712.  STEELE,  Spectator,  No.  1564. 
The  fellow  who  drove  her  came  to  us,  and 
discovered  that  he  was  ordered  to  come 
again  in  an  hour,  for  that  she  was  a  SILK- 
WORM. I  was  surprised  with  this  phrase, 
but  found  it  was  a  cant  among  the  hackney 
fraternity  for  their  best  customers,  women 
who  ramble  twice  or  thrice  a  week  from 
shop  to  shop,  to  turn  over  all  the  goods  in 
town  without  buying  anything.  The 
SILKWORMS  are,  it  seems,  indulged  by  the 
tradesmen  ;  for  though  they  never  buy, 
they  are  ever  talking  of  new  silks,  laces, 
and  ribbons,  and  serve  the  owners,  in 
getting  them  customers. 


SlLLY,  subs,  (colloquial). — A  simple- 
ton :  also  SILLY-BILLY  (or  WILLY), 
see  quot.  1851,  siLLYTON  and 
SILLIKIN.  Hence  TO  KNOCK  ONE 
SILLY  =  to  hit  out  of  time,  or  to 
affect  au  possible :  e.g.>  '  She 
KNOCKED  HIM  SILLY  '  = '  She  sent 
him  off  his  chump  (wits,  onion) 
about  her.' 

c.  1620-150.  Percy  Folio  MS.,  199.  I 
.  .  .  proffered  him  a  favour  ;  he  kist  me, 
and  wisht  me  to  beare  with  his  behauior  ; 
but  hie  tro  lolly  lolly,  le  SILLY  WILLY  cold 
not  doe,  all  content  with  him  was  spent. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  586.  SILLY- 
TON,  forbear  railing,  and  hear  what's  said 
to  you. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  i. 
144.  SILLY  BILLY  is  a  kind  of  clown,  or 
rather  a  clown's  butt  ;  but  not  after  the 
style  of  Pantaloon,  for  the  part  is  com- 
paratively juvenile.  SILLY  BILLY  is  sup- 
posed to  be  a  schoolboy,  although  not 
dressed  in  a  charity-boy's  attire.  He  is 
very  popular  with  the  audience  at  the 
fairs  ;  indeed,  they  cannot  do  without  him. 

£.1876.  Music  Hall  Song,  'Blessed 
Orphan.'  They  think  I  am  a  SILLIKIN, 
But  I  am  rather  knowing. 

1869.  SPURGEON,  John  Ploughman's 
Talk,  TOI.  Poor  SILLIES  they  have  wind 
on  the  brain. 

SILLY-SEASON,  subs.  phr.  (journal- 
ists').— The  parliamentary  recess  : 
in  the  absence  of  debates,  with 
a  real  or  assumed  dearth  of  news, 
the  newspapers  are  driven  to  print 
all  kinds  of  political  and  social 
twaddles :  cf.  GIGANTIC  GOOSE- 
BERY,  SHOWER  OF  FROGS,  LORD 
ROSEBERY'S  LATEST. 

1882.  PAYN,   For  Cash  Only,   viii. 
Sir  Peter's  eyes  grew  big  as  gooseberries 
in    THE    SILLY    SEASON,    in    his    earnest 
intentness. 

1883.  G.    A.    S[ALA]    [///.    London 
N&ws,    22    Sep.,    275,    i].      THE    SILLY 
SEASON,   forsooth  !   Why  September  is  a 
month   when,    perhaps,    the  daily    news- 
papers are  fuller  of  instructive  and  enter- 
taining matter  than  is  the  case  at  any  other 
season  of  the  year. 


Silver. 


2  tO 


Silver  State. 


1892.  Pall  Mall  Gaz. ,  16  Aug. ,  4,  2. 
Signs  of  the  so-called  SILLY  SEASON,  which 
has  been  somewhat  delayed  this  year 
owing  to  the  political  crisis,  are  now 
beginning  to  appear. 

SILVER,  subs.  (Stock  Exchange). — 
In  pi.  =  India  Rubber,  Gutta 
Percha,  and  Telegraph  Co.  shares. 
[The  works  are  at  Silvertown.] 

See  PENNY. 

SILVER-BEGGAR  (or  -LURKER), 
subs.  pkr.  (common). — A  tramp 

with  BRIEFS  (q.V. )  or  FAKEMENTS 

(q.v.)  concerning  bogus  losses  by 
fire,  shipwreck,  accident,  and  the 
like ;  guaranteed  by  forged  sig- 
natures or  SHAMS  (q.v.)  of  clergy- 
men, magistrates,  &c.,  the  false 
subscription-books  being  known 
as  DELICATES  (q.v.).  Also  SIL 
=  ( i )  a  forged  document,  and  (2)  a 
note  on  '  The  Bank  of  Elegance  ' 
or  '  The  Bank  of  Engraving. ' 

_  1859.     SALA,  Gaslight  and  Daylight, 
xiii.      Did   you    never    hear    of  cadgers, 

SILVER-BEGGARS,  shalloW-COVCS  ? 

SILVER-COOPER,  subs. phr.  (Scots'). 
— See  quot. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxxiv. 
You  rob  and  you  murder,  and  you  want  me 
to  rob  and  murder,  and  play  the  SILVER- 
COOPER,  or  kidnapper,  as  you  call  it,  a 
dozen  times  over,  and  then,  Hagel  and 
Sturm  !  You  speak  to  me  of  conscience  ! 

SILVER- FORK,  subs.  phr.  (Win- 
chester: obsolete). — A  wooden 
skewer :  used  as  a  chop-stick 
when  forks  were  scarce  (MANS- 
FIELD, ^-.1840). 

THE  SILVER  FORK  SCHOOL, 
subs.  phr.  (obsolete  literary). — A 
school  of  novelists  which  laid 
especial  stress  on  the  etiquette  of 
the  drawing  room  :  as  Theodore 
Hook,  Lady  Blessington,  Mrs. 
Trollope,  and  Lord  Lytton.  [It 
is  only  within  the  last  forty  years 


that  the  old  two-pronged  steel 
fork  has  been  ousted  by  cheap 
four-prongs  in  imitation  of  silver 
ware.  ] 

SILVER-GRAYS,  subs.  phr.  (Ameri- 
can).— At  a  convention  of  New 
York  State  certain  measures  being 
unacceptable,  '  many  withdrew 
whose  locks  were  silvered  by  age,' 
drawing  forth  the  remark,  '  There 

go  THE    SILVER    GRAYS!'       'The 

term  remains  and  is  the  only  one 
now  (1859)  used  to  distinguish 
one  branch  of  the  Whig  party' 
(BARTLETT). 

SILVER-HELL,  subs. phr.  (common). 
— A  low-class  gambling  den : 
where  silver  is  the  usual  stake. 

1843.  MONCRIEFF,  Scamps  of  Lon- 
don, i.  i.  He's  the  principal  partner  in 
all  the  SILVER  HELLS  at  the  West  End. 

SILVER-HOOK.  To  CATCH  FISH 
WITH  A  SILVER-HOOK,  verb.  phr. 
(anglers'). — To  purchase  a  catch 
in  order  to  conceal  unskilful 
angling  :  It.  pescar  col  hamo 
d'argenta  (RAY). 

SILVER-LACED,  adj.  phr.  (old). — 
Lousy  :  e.g. ,  '  The  cove's  kicksies 
are  SILVER-LACED  '  =  '  The  fel- 
low's breeches  are  covered  with 
lice'  (GROSE). 

SILVER-SPOON.  BORN  WITH  A 
SILVER  SPOON  IN  ONESS  MOUTH, 
adj.  phr.  (colloquial).  —  Born 
rich  :  It.  aver  la  pera  monda  ( =  to 
have  his  pear  ready  pared,  RAY). 

1830.  BUCKSTONE,  Wreck  Ashore,  i. 
2.  Mag.  A  branch  of  the  aristocracy, 
and  to  be  one  of  that  order  means  a  man 
born  to  a  good  place  ;  or,  as  we  say  in  the 
vulgar  tongue,  WITH  A  SILVER  SPOON  IN 
HIS  MOUTH. 

SILVER  STATE  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(American).  — Nevada, 


Sim. 


211 


Simple. 


SIM,  subs.  (Cambridge  University). 
— A  Simeonite,  or  member  of  the 
Evangelical  section  of  the  Church 
of  England  ;  a  Low  Churchman. 
The  modern  equivalent  is  Pi- 
MAN.  [The  Rev.  Charles  Simeon 
(1759-1836)  was  54  years  Vicar 
of  Holy  Trinity,  Cambridge] : 
GROSE  (1785). 

1826.  W.  W.  TODD,  The  Sizar's 
Table  [WHIBLEY,  Cap  and  Gown,  109]. 
Some  carnally  given  to  women  and  wine, 
Some  apostles  of  SIMEON  all  pure  and 
divine. 

1851.  BRISTED,  Eng.  Univ.,  39. 
While  passing  for  a  terribly  hard-reading 
man,  and  a  SIM  of  the  straightest  kind 
with  the  '  empty  bottles.' 

SIM  KIN.  See  SIMPKIN  and  SIMPLE. 
'SIMMON,    See  PERSIMMON. 

SIMON,  subs.  (Old  Cant). — I.  Six- 
pence :  see  RHINO  (B.  E. ;  HALL, 
1714 ;  GROSE). 

1885.  Household  Words,  20  June, 
155.  The  old  joke  .  .  .  about  St.  Peter's 
banking  transaction,  when  he  "lodged 
with  one  Simon  a  tanner."  And  this  re- 
minds us  that  SIMON'  is  also  a  slang  term 
for  sixpence,  and  may  possibly  owe  its 
origin  to  this  play  upon  the  other  word. 

2.  (circus). — A  trained  horse. 

3.  (King     Edward's    School, 
B'gham).  —  A    cane  :    obsolete. 
[See  Acts  ix.  43.] 

SIMON  PURE,  suds.  phr.  (old). — 
The  genuine  article  :  also  as  adj. 

1717.  CENTLIVRE,  Bold  Stroke  for  a 
Wife.  Dram.  Pers.  SIMON  PURE.  [See 
Act  v.  i.] 

1785.  WOLCOT  [P.  Pindar],  Lyric 
Odes,  x.  \Wks.  (Dublin,  1795),  i.  90].  Flat- 
tery's a  mountebank  so  spruce  —  gets 
riches ;  Truth,  a  plain  SIMON  PURE,  a 
Quaker  Preacher. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  Ivi. 
A  young  seafaring  man  came  forward. — 
"Here,"  proceeded  the  counsellor,  "is 
the  real  SIMON  PURE " 


1839.  LEVER,  Harry  Lorrequer, 
xvii.  Fearing  every  moment  the  arrival 
of  the  real  SIMON  PURE  should  cover 
me  with  shame  and  disgrace. 

1871.  Spectator,  2  Dec.,  'George 
Cruikshank.'  Nagler,  the  author  of  the 
Kunstlerlexicon,  studying  the  controversy 
about  the  Cruikshanks,  read  that  '  George 
Cruikshank  was  the  true  SIMON  PURE' 
with  the  utmost  gravity,  therefore  cata- 
logued him  as  '  Pure  (Simon),'  calling 
himself  George  Cruikshank. 

1879.  HOWELLS,  Lady  of  the  Aroo- 
stook,  xxv.  I  should  like  to  see  what 
you  call  the  SIMON-PURE  American. 

1883.  Century,  xxxvii.,  337.  The 
home  of  the  SIMON-PURE  wild  horse  is  on 
the  southern  plains. 

SIMKPIN  (orSiMKlN),.mfo.  (Anglo- 
Indian).  —  i.  Champagne.  [A 
native  pronunciation.] 

1885.  J.    W.    PALMER,     New    and 
Old.     A    basket    of    SIMKIN  .  .  .  behind 
the  chariot. 

1886.  SALA  [III.  Lon.  News,  24  July, 
90].     There  is  a  good  deal  of  SIMPKIN  or 
champagne  consumed  in  the  three  Presi- 
dencies. 

2.     (theatrical).— The    fool    in 
comic  ballets. 

See  SIMPLE. 


SIMPLE,  subs,  (old).—  In//-  =  folly 
(B.  E.),  hence,  as  in  proverb, 
4  To  go  to  Battersea  to  be  cut  for 
the  SIMPLES '  =  to  take  means  to 
cure  of  foolishness  (Battersea  was 
famous  for  its  herb  gardens.). 
Also  SIMPLETON  (SIMKIN  or 
SIMPLE  SIMON)  =  a  credulous 
person  (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  : 
'  SIMPLE  SIMON  Suck-egg  Sold 
his  wife  for  an  addled  duck- 
egg'  (RAY). 

£.1710.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation,  \. 
Indeed,  Mr.  Neverout,  you  should  be  CUT 
FOR  THE  SIMPLES  this  morning. 

1834.  SOUTHEY,  Doctor,  cxxxvi. 
What  evils  might  be  averted  ...  in  the 
Lords  and  Commons  by  clearing  away 
bile  .  .  .  and  occasionally  by  CUTTING 

FOR   THE   SIMPLES. 


Simple  Arithmetic.       212 


Sing. 


1876.       HINDLEY,    Cheap    Jack,     7. 
Many  more  are  CUT  FOR  THE  SIMPLES. 

SIMPLE  ARITHMETIC,  See  ARITH- 
METIC. 

SIMPLE  INFANTICIDE,  subs.  phr. 
(venery).  Masturbation  :  see 
FRIG. 


1858.  PRATT,  Ten  Nights  in  Bar- 
room,  i.  i.  I'll  defy  SIN  to  say  that  I  ever 
neglected  my  work. 

SIN  BAD,  subs,  (nautical). —An  old 
sailor. 

SINES,  subs.  (Winchester). — Bread  : 
A  SINES  =  a  small  loaf. 


SIMPSON  (or  SIMSON),  subs,  (obso- 
lete).— I.  Water  :  spec,  when 
used  for  diluting  milk  ;  hence, 
Mrs.  SIMPSON  (or  SIMPSON'S 
cow)  =  the  pump  ;  '  the  cow  with 
the  iron  tail.'  Whence  (2)  = 
poor  milk :  see  SKY-BLUE  and 
CHALKERS. 

1860.  HOLMES,  Professor  at  the 
Breakfast  Table.  It  is  a  common  saying 
of  a  jockey  that  he  is  all  horse,  and  I 
have  often  fancied  that  milkmen  get  a  stiff 
upright  carriage,  and  an  angular  move- 
ment, that  reminds  one  of  a  pump  and  the 
working  of  a  handle. 

1871.  Daily  News,  17  Ap.  He  had, 
he  stated  on  inquiry,  a  liquid  called 
SIMPSON  on  his  establishment. 

1871.  Standard,  n    May.      Police 
Report.     If  they  annoyed  him  again  he 
would  christen  them  with  SIMPSON,  which 
he  did  by  throwing  a  can  of  milk  over  the 
police. 

1872.  Times,    24  Dec.     Police    Re- 
port.      His     master    supplied     wholesale 
dealers,    who,    he    believed,    watered    it. 
That  was  called  SIMPSON.     Ibid.    Witness 
generally  milked    the    cows    for   himself, 
and  then  added  SIMI'SON  at  discretion. 

1872.  Standard,  25  Dec.  SIMPSON 
is  ...  universally  accepted  as  the  title 
for  that  combined  product  of  the  cow 
natural  and  the  "cow  with  the  iron  tail." 

1880.  Punch,  31  Jan.,  48.  In  the 
first  rank  of  the  Committee  of  Manage- 
ment of  The  Householders'  Pure  Milk 
Supply  Assn.  stands  the  name  of  our  old 
friend  SIMPSON — SIMPSON,  who  has  so 
often  milked  the  cow  with  the  iron  tail, 
that  in  the  language  of  the  milk  walk  he 
has  become  identified  with  the  animal 
Simpson-Pump ! 

SIN,  subs,  (colloquial). — The  Devil : 
as  the  incarnation  of  evil. 


SINEWS  OF  WAR,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
Money  :  generic  :  see  RHINO. 

^.1626.  BACON,  Works  (SPEDDING),  x. 
324.  The  proverb  .  .  .  taken  first  from  a 
speech  of  Mucianus,  that  MONEYS  ARE 

THE  SINEWS   OF   WAR. 

1653.    URQUHART,  Rabelais,   i.  xlvi. 

Coin  is  THE  SINEWS  OF  WAR. 


SING,  verb,  (common). — To  cry  : 
usually  as  a  threat  to  a  crying 
child,  '  I'll  give  you  something  to 
SING  for.' 

PHRASES. — To  SING  OUT  =  (i) 
to  raise  the  voice  ;  (2)  to  cry,  or 
call  out,  from  excess  of  emotion  ; 
and  (3),  see  quot.  1815 ;  TO 
SING  SMALL  =  to  lessen  one's 
pretensions,  to  eat  humble  pie 
(GROSE)  ;  TO  SING  (or  PIPE) 

ANOTHER   SONG    (or    TUNE)  =  to 

modify  one's    conduct,   manner, 

&C  ;   TO  SING  THE  SAME  SONG  = 

to  repeat  the  weakness  ;  TO  SING 
IT  =  to  exaggerate,  to  swagger, 
*  to  chant  the  poker'  ;  TO  SING 
OUT  BEEF  (thieves')  =  to  call  out 
'stop  thief!'  (GROSE).  Also 
proverb,  'He  could  have  SUNG 
well  before  he  broke  his  left 
shoulder  with  whistling.'  See 
BLACK  PSALM  ;  PLACEBO  ;  TE 
DEUM. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales, 
'  Friar's  Tale.'  Certes,  lecchours,  did  he 
gretest  wo ;  They  sholde  SINGEN  if  that 
they  were  bent. 

1530.  PALSGRAVE,  Lang.  Franc. 
SYNGE  OUT,  chanter  a  playne  voyx. 


Singed-cat. 


213 


Single-woman. 


1609.  HEYWOOD,  If  you  know  not 
me  [  Works,  i.  207],  Const.  The  Queene 
must  hear  you  SING  ANOTHER  SONG  .  .  . 
Rliz.  My  God  doth  know  I  can  no  note 
but  truth. 

1753.  RICHARDSON,  Grandison,  i. 
120.  I  must  myself  SING  SMALL  in  her 
company. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxviii. 
"  But  old  Meg's  asleep  now,"  said 
another;  "she  grows  a  driveller,  and  is 
afraid  of  her  own  shadow.  She'll  SING 
OUT*  some  of  these  odd-come-shortlies,  if 
you  don't  look  sharp."  Ibid.  [Note].  *To 
SING  OUT,  or  whistle  in  the  cage,  is  when  a 
rogue,  being  apprehended,  peaches  against 
his  comrades. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  24.  His 
spunkiest  backers  were  forced  TO  SING 

SMALL. 

1830.  LEVER.  Harry  Lorrequer, 
xvi.  When  the  call-boy  would  SING  OUT 
for  Captain  Beaugarde  .  .  .  we'd  find 
that  he  had  levanted. 


1876.  CLEMENS,  Tom  Sawyer,  20. 
You're  a  kind  of  SINGED  CAT,  as  the  saying 
is. 

SINGLE-BROTH  (or  -TIFF)  subs. phr. 
(old).  —  Small  beer  :  see 
SCREWED. 

^.1635.  CORBET,  On  Dawson,  the 
Butltr  of  Christ  Church.  And  as  the 
conduits  ran  with  claret  at  the  coronation 
so  let  your  channels  flow  with  SINGLE  TIFF. 

1654.  Witts  Recreations,  154.  Sack's 
but  SINGLE  BROTH  ;  Ale's  meat,  drink,  and 
cloth. 

SINGLE-PEEPER,  subs. phr.  (old.) — 
A  one-eyed  person  (GROSE). 

SlNGLE-PENNiF,  subs.  phr.  (back 
slang). — A  five-pound  note  :  see 

FINNUP. 


1836.     SCOTT,    Tom    Cringle's   Log,        T      l89*-    CAJ?Ew    Auto,  of  Gipsy,  416. 
i.     Who's  there  1  SUNG  OUT  the  lieutenant.        ?  g^s  c  ean  off  with  the  scawfer  and  bout 


1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.,  'Row 
in  an  Omnibus  Box.'  So  after  all  this 
terrible  squall,  Doldrum  and  Fal-de-ral-tit 

SING  SMALL. 

1848.  RUXTON,  Far  West,  3.  They 
made  'em  SING  OUT. 

1884.  RUSSELL,    Jack's    Courtshif, 
xiii.     '  Read  the  letter  aloud,  Sophie,'  said 
my  uncle.     '  SING  IT  OUT,  my  love.' 

1885.  CLEMENT    SCOTT    [///.    Lon. 
News,  3  Oct.,  339,  i].    There   would   not 
be  so  much  reason  for  complaint,  if  heroism 
and  virtue  were  not  made  to  SING  SMALL, 
by  the  side  of  this  apotheosis  of  iniquity. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xvi. 
Go  and  have  a  wash  and  SING  OUT  for 
that  breakfast. 

SING  ED-CAT,  subs.  phr.  (American). 
— See  quots. 

1839.  HALIBURTON,  Old  Judge,  \.  44. 
That  critter  is  like  a  SINGED  CAT,  better 
nor  he  seems. 

1858.  New  Orleans  Bulletin,  May. 
Parson  Brownlow  has  found  an  antagonist 
in  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pryne,  of  Cincinnati  .  .  . 
We  reckon  there'll  be  fun,  as  a  Cincinnati 
paper  says  Pryne  is  a  perfect  SINGED  CAT  ! 

1859.  BARTLETT,       Americanisms, 
s.v.     SINGED-CAT.     An  epithet  applied  to 
a  person  whose  appearance  does  him  in- 
justice. 


'er  thirty  quid  in  SINGLE  PENNIFS    and 
silver. 

SINGLE-SOLDIER,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  private. 

1816.  SCOTT,  Old  Mortality,  viii. 
I'se  e'en  turn  a  SINGLE  SODGER  mysell,  or 
may  be  a  sergeaunt  or  a  captain. 

SINGLETON,  subs.  (B.  E.)- — i.   'A 
very  silly,  foolish  Fellow.' 

2.  (old). — A  corkscrew  :  from 
the    name    of   a    Dublin    cutler 
famous  for  his  tempering  (GROSE). 

3.  (gaming). — A  single  card  of 
any  suit  in  a  hand  :  whist.     Also 
a  hand  containing  such  a  card. 

1885.  Field,  12  Dec.  Nor  was  it  to 
prove  that  the  lead  of  a  SINGLETON  was 
sometimes  good  play. 

1885.  PROCTOR,  How  to  Play  Whist, 
Pref.  Outside  .  .  .  modern  signalling  .  .  . 
and  the  absolute  rejection  of  the  SINGLETON 
lead  there  is  very  little  difference  between 
the  whist  of  to-day  and  the  whist  of  Hoyle 
and  Mathews. 

SINGLE-WOMAN,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
See  quot.  and  TART. 


Sing-song. 


214 


Sinner. 


1530.  PALSGRAVE,  Lang.  Francoyse, 
SYNGLE-WOMAN,  a  harlot,  putayn. 

1657.  HOWELL,  Londinopolis •,  337. 
No  Stew-holder,  or  his  wife,  should  let  or 
stay  any  SINGLE  WOMAN  to  go  and  come 
freely  at  all  times.  No  SINGLE  WOMAN  to 
take  money  to  lye  with  any  man  except 
she  lie  with  him  all  night  till  the  morrow. 

SING-SONG  (various).— i.  (old)  =  a 
poem;  2.  (common)  =  a  convivial 
meeting  at  a  public  house  at  which 
each  person  is  expected  to  contri- 
bute a  SOng  ;  A  FREE-AND-EASY 
(q.v.}  ;  3.  (nautical)  =  a  Chinese 
theatre ;  and  4.  (colloquial)  = 
'  crooning. '  As  adj.  =  musical. 

1656-61.  Choyce  Drolleries  [Ees- 
WOKTH]  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.  ii.  97. 
The  new  substantives  are  blobber-lips,  a 
SING-SONG  (poem)]. 

^.1704.     BROWN,  Works,  iii.  39.     From 
huffing  Dryden  to  SING-SONG  Durfey. 

1857.  RITCHIE,  Night  Side  of  Lon- 
don, 192.  The  gay  have  their  theatres— 
the  philanthropic  their  Exeter  Hall — the 
wealthy  their  "ancient  concerts  "—the 
costermongers  what  they  term  their  SING- 
SONG. 

1869.  GREENWOPD.  Seven  Curses,  19. 
She  has  her  '  young  man  '  and  accompanies 
him  of  evenings  to  SING-SONGS  and  raffles. 

1877.  TENNYSON,  Queen  Mary,  ii. 
i.  You  sit  SING-SONGING  here. 

1891.  STEVENSON,  Kidnapped,  197. 
I  was  amazed  at  the  clipping  tones  and 
the  odd  SING-SONG  in  which  he  spoke. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  3. 
A  sand-parlour 'd  shanty  devoted  to  SING- 
SONG. 

1896.  KIPLING,  Only  a  Subaltern. 
The  illustrated  programme  of  the  SING- 
SONG, whereof  he  was  not  a  little  proud. 

1899.  WHITEING,/^«^.,X.  There's 
a  little  bit  of  a  kick-up  to-night  with  a  few 

Of  US — Sort  Of  SING-SONG. 

SINK,  subs,  (colloquial).— i.  A 
slum ;  a  ROOKERY  :  also  SINK- 
HOLE. Also  (2)  a  centre  of  any- 
thing disreputable. 

1565.  CALFHILL,  Aus.  Martialls 
Treatise  of  the  Cross  (Parker  Soc.),  176. 
[The  Palace]  a  SINK  of  sectaries. 


1613.  PURCHAS,  Pilgrimage,  621. 
The  SINKE  of  Fez,  where  every  one  may 
be  a  Vintner  and  a  Bawde. 

^.1842.  CHANNING,  Perfect  Life,  70. 
The  SINKS  of  intemperance  .  .  .  shops 
reeking  with  vapours  of  intoxicating  drink. 

3.  (common). — A  confirmed 
tippler  ;  and  (4)  the  throat :  see 
SEWER.  Hence  TO  FALL  DOWN 
THE  SINK  =  to  take  to  drink. 

5.  (The  Leys  School). — A  heavy 
feed  ;  a  STODGE  (q.v.) ;  and  (6)  = 
a  glutton. 

PHRASES.  —  To    SINK    THE 

NOBLEMAN  (LOVER,  &c.)  —  to 
suppress,  to  keep  in  the  back- 
ground :  cf.  SHOP  ;  SINK  ME  !  = 
a  mild  imprecation. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Homer  Burlesqued, 
13.  But  SINK  ME  if  I  ...  understand. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  zoo.  I  am  the  idol  of  my  wife, 
and  I  have  not  SUNK  THE  LOVER  in  the 
husband.  Ibid.,  283.  I  ...  SUNK  THE 
SECRETARY  .  .  .  till  I  should  ascertain 
what  solid  profit  might  accrue  from  all  my 
bows  and  scrapes. 

1822.  SCOTT,  Nigel,  xvii.  You  shall 
SINK  A  NOBLEMAN  in  the  Temple  Gardens, 
and  rise  an  Alsatian  at  Whitefriars. 

SINKER,  subs.  (old). — i.  In  pi.  = 
base  money  (SNOWDEN,  1857). 

2.   (American),  see  quot. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  129.  When 
he  returned  with  a  "  poke  out "  (food  given 
at  the  door)  and  a  SINKER  (dollar). 

SINNER,  subs,  (common),  i.  A 
publican  :  cf.  Luke  xviii.  ;  2. 
(old),  a  harlot  :  see  TART.  OLD 
SINNER  =  a  jesting  reproach. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  iii.  i.  Tuc. 
I  would  fain  come  with  my  cockatrice 
.  .  .  and  see  a  play  if  I  knew  when  there 
were  a  good  bawdy  one.  Hist.  We  have 
as  much  ribaldry  in  our  plays  ...  as  you 
would  wish,  Captain  :  all  the  SINNERS  in 
the  suburbs  come  and  applaud. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  106.  Seasoned  exactly  to  the 
taste  of  these  OLD  SINNERS. 


Sip. 


2 1  $       Sir  John  Barleycorn. 


SIP,  subs,  and  verb,  (back  slang). 
—Piss  (  .v.). 

SiPPER,  suds,  (common). — Gravy. 

Si  QUIS,  subs.  phr.  (old). — i.  A 
public  notice  of  ordination. 
[These  commenced  "Si  QUIS," 
* '  If  any  "].  Whence  (2)  a  candi- 
date for  holy  orders  ;  and  (3)  any 
public  announcement.  As  verb. 
=  to  make  hue  and  cry. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  n.  v.  Saws't 
thou  ever  SIQUIS  patch'd  on  Paul's  Church 
door,  To  seek  some  vacant  vicarage  before. 

1607.  MARSTON,  What  You  Will, 
iii.  My  end  is  to  paste  up  a  si  QUIS. 

1609.  DEKKER,  Gulls  Horne-Booke, 
chap.  iv.  The  first  time  that  you  venture 
into  Powles,  passe  through  the  body  of  the 
Church  like  a  Porter,  yet  presume  not  to 
fetch  so  much  as  one  whole  turne  in  the 
middle  He,  no  nor  to  cast  an  eye  to  si  QUIS 
doore  (pasted  and  plaistered  up  with  Seru- 
ing-mens  supplications)  before  you  haue 
paid  tribute  to  the  top  of  Powles  steeple 
with  a  single  penny. 

1704.  Gentleman  Instructed,  312. 
He  may  ...  si  QUIS  me  in  the  next 
Gazette. 

SIR  (SIR  JOHN  or   MASS-JOHN), 

subs.  (old). — A  parson;  spec. 
(B.  E. )  'a  country  Parson  or 
Vicar '  :  see  SKY-PILOT  (GROSE). 
See  JOHN. 

1380.  WICLIFFE,  Works  [E.  E.  T. 
S.],  192.  [OLIPHANT,  New  English,  i.  147. 
The  priest  SIR  JOHN,  becomes  SIR  JACKE 
.  .  .  this  change  is  unusual.] 

1426.  Sir  Jon  Audlay  [Percy  Soc.  '. 
the  title  of  a  description  of  a  priest]. 

c.i4[?].     Tale  of  the  Basyn  [HAZLITT, 


Early  Pop.  Poet.,  iii.  47].    Hit  is  a  preest, 

"is  SIR  JOHN.    Ibid. 
con  wake,  And  nee 


men  callis  SIR  JOHN.    'ibid.  49.    SIR  JOHN 
sdis  water  he  must  make. 


^.1555.  LATIMER,  Works  {.Century}. 
They  hire  a  SIR  JOHN  which  hath  better 
skill  in  playing  at  tables  .  .  .  than  in 
God's  word. 

1560.  BECON,  Works  [Parker  Soc.] 
270.  Hold  up,  SIR  JOHN,  heave  it  [the 
Host]  a  little  higher. 


1591.  SPENSER,  Mother  Hubb.  Tale, 
v.  390.  But  this  good  SIR  did  follow  the 
plaine  word. 

1596.  LAMBARD,  Peramb.,  317.  A 
poore  Chapell,  served  with  a  single  SIR 
JOHN,  and  destitute  both  of  font  and 
churchyard. 

1602.  SHAKSPEARE,  Twelfth  Night, 
iv.  2.  Make  him  believe  you  are  SIR 
Thopas,  the  curate.  Do  it  quickly. 

£-.1609.  FLETCHER,  M.  Thomas,  v.  2. 
Close  by  the  nunnery,  there  you'll  find  a 
night-priest,  Little  SIR  Hugh,  and  he  can 
say  his  matrimony,  Over  without  book. 

1633.  JONSON,  Tale  of  a  Tub,  i.  i. 
Though  SIR  Hugh  of  Pancras,  Be  hither 
come  to  Totten. 

1648.  HERRICK,  Hesperides,  '  The 
Tythe.'  If  children  you  have  ten,  SIR 
JOHN  won't  for  his  tenth  part  ask  you  one. 

1817.  DRAKE,  SHAKSPEARE,  &c.,  i. 
88.  The  language  of  our  Universities  .  .  . 
confers  the  designation  of  Dominus  on 
those  who  have  taken  their  first  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts  ;  the  word  Dominus  was 
naturally  translated  SIR,  and,  as  almost 
ev  ery  clergyman  had  taken  his  first  degree, 
it  became  customary  to  apply  the  term  to 
the  lower  class  of  the  hierarchy. 

SIR  GARNET,  stibs.  phr.  (street's). 
— All  right,  or  as  it  should  be. 
[An  echo  of  the  days  when  Sir 
Garnet  (now  Viscount)  Wolseley 
was  in  the  forefront  of  military 
matters.  ] 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  Une  Affaire 
cCHonneur  ['  Pomes,"  no],  And  the  start 
was  all  SIR  GARNET,  Jenny  went  for 
Emma's  Barnet. 

SIR  HARRY,  suds.  phr.  (old).— A 
jakes :  see  MRS.  JONES.  To 
VISIT  (or  GO  TO)  SIR  HARRY  = 
to  evacuate  the  bowels. 

SIR  HUGH'S  BONES.     See  BONES. 

SIR    JACK    SAUCE.       See    JACK 

SAUCE  and  SAUCE. 

SIR    JOHN     BARLEYCORN.       See 

BARLEYCORN. 


Sir  John  Lack-Latin.     216 


Sir-reverence. 


SIR     JOHN     LACK-LATIN.         See 

LACK-LATIN     and    add    earlier 
quot.  infra. 

J535-  SIR  FRANCIS  BYGOD,  '  Against 
Impregnations.'  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng., 
i.  481.  Bygod  talks  of  a  SIR  JOHN  LACKE- 
LATIN.  ] 

SIR  MARTIN  WAGSTAFFE,  subs. 
phr.  (venery).  —  The  penis:  see 
PRICK.  —  URQUHART. 

SIR  OLIVER.     See  OLIVER. 

SIR  PETRONEL  FLASH.  See 
PETRONEL. 

SIRRAH  !  intj.  (old).—  An  angry, 
contemptuous,  or  jesting  address  : 
also  (modern)  SIRREE  !  (or 

SIRREE,    BOB  !) 

1526.  RASTELL,  Hundred  Merry 
Tales,  74.  [The  Sir  is  lengthened  into] 
SIRRA. 

1570.  LEVINS,  Manip.  Vocab.t  i.  6. 
SERRHA,  heus,  io. 

1600.  JONSON,  Cynthia's  Revels,  ii, 
i.  Page,  boy,  and  SIRRAH  :  these  are  all 
my  titles. 

1608.  SHAKSPEARE,  Antony  and 
Cleopatra,  v.  2,  229.  SIRRAH  Iras,  go  ! 

1617.  MINSHEU,  Guide  to  Tongues. 
SiRRA,  a  contemptuous  word,  ironically 
compounded  of  Sir  and  a,  ha,  as  much  as 
to  say  ah,  sir,  or  sir  boy,  &c. 

1615.  DANIEL,  Hymen's  Triumph, 
313.  Ah,  SIRRAH,  have  I  found  you  ?  are 
you  heere. 

1688.  SHADWELL,  Sq.  of  Alsatia,  ii. 
Look  on  my  finger,  SIRRAH,  look  here  ; 
here's  a  famble. 


PRIOR,  Cupid  and  Ganymede. 
Guess  how  the  goddess  greets  her  son  : 
Come  hither,  SIRRAH  ;  no  begone. 

1848.  RUXTON,  Far  West,  3.  No 
SIRRE-K  ;  I  went  out  when  Spiers  lost  his 
animals. 

1857.  Baltimo  re  Sun,  30  Mar.  'Sir, 
are  you  drunk?'  The  juror  ...  in  a 
bold,  half-defiant  tone  replied,  '  No, 
SIRREE,  BOB  !  '  '  Well  ...  I  fine  you  five 
dollars  for  the  '  REE  '  and  ten  for  the  '  BOB.  ' 

1900.  Brought  to  Bay,  ii.  '  So  the 
title  is  secure?  '  .  .  .  '  Yes,  SIR-EE  !  ' 


SIR  RETCH,  subs,  (back  slang). — A 
cherry. 

SIR-  (or  SAVE-)  REVERENCE,  subs, 
verb)  and  intj.  (old  colloquial). — 
I.  An  apology  :  the  commonest 
of  expressions,  for  nearly  six  cen- 
turies, on  mentioning  anything 
likely  to  offend,  or  for  which  an 
excuse  was  thought  necessary. 
Whence  (2)  =  excrement,  a  TURD 
(f.v.)i  and  as  verb.  =  (i)  TO  SHIT 
j^.zO,  and  (2)  to  excuse  oneself. 
[Lat.  salvd  reverentid>  whence 
SA5  REVERENCE.  SUR-REVERENCE, 
and  SIR-REVERENCE.] 

1356.  MANDEVILLE,  Travels,  185. 
But  aftre  my  lytylle  wytt,  it  semethe  me, 

SAVYNGE     HERE     REVERENCE,     that     it     is 

more. 

1586.  WARNER,  Alb.  Eng.,  ii.  ip. 
And  all  for  love  (SURREVERENCE  love  !)  did 
make  her  chew  the  cudde. 

1592.  GREENE,  Blacke  Bookes  Mes- 
senger [Works,  xi.  33].     His  head,  and  his 
necke,   were  all  besmeared  with  the  soft 
SIRREVERKNCE,  so  as  he  stunke  worse  than 
a  Jakes  Farmer. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,       Comedy       of 
Errors,    iii.    2.     A   very  reverend    body : 
ay,  such  a  one  as  a  man  may  not  speak  of, 
without    he    say,    SIR-REVERENCE.     Ibid. 
(1595),   Romeo  and  Juliet,   i.   4.      We'el 
draw    you    from    the  mire    Of   this   SIR- 
REVERENCE,   love,    wherein  thou  slickest 
Up  to  the  ears. 

1594.  LYLY     Mother   Bombie,   i.   2. 
SAVING  A  REVERENCE,  that's  a  lie  ! 

1596.  HARRINGTON,  Metam.  Ajax 
[Letter  prefixed  to].  The  third  I  cannot 
name  wel  without  SAVE-REVERENCE,  and 
yet  it  sounds  not  unlike  the  shooting  place. 

1605.  JONSON,  CHAPMAN,  &c.,  East- 
ward Hoe,  iv.  i.  We  shall  as  soon  get  a 
fart  from  a  dead  man  .  .  .  Sister,  SIR- 
REVERENCE  ! 

1607.  Puritan,  iii.  i.  A  man  that 
would  ...  go  ungartered,  unbuttoned, 
nay  (SIR-REVERENCE  !)  untrussed,  to  morn- 
ing prayer. 

1614.  JONSON,  Bartholomew  Fair, 
iv.  i.  His  wife,  SIR  REVERENCE,  cannot 
get  him  make  his  water,  or  shift  his  shirt, 
without  his  warrant. 


Sir  Sauce. 


217 


Siserara. 


1626.  FLETCHER,  Fair  Maid  of  the 
Inn,  iii.  i.  The  .  .  .  suitors  that  attend 
to  usher  Their  loves,  SIR-REVERENCE,  to 
your  daughter. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Epig.,  40.  If  to  a 
foule  discourse  thou  hast  pretence,  Before 
thy  foule  words  name  SIR-REVERENCE. 

</.i6so.  FLETCHER,  Poems,  10.  A 
puppy  licks  Manneia's  lipps,  the  sense  I 
grant,  a  dog  may  kiss SIR-REVERENCE. 

1655.  MASSINGER,  Very  Woman,  ii. 
3.  The  beastliest  man  .  .  .  (SIR-REVER- 
ENCE  of  the  company  !) — a  rank  whore- 
master. 

1665.  HEAD,  English  Rogue  (1874), 
i.  iii.  30.  Another  time  SIRREVERENCING 
in  a  paper,  and  running  to  the  window 
with  it. 

1662.  Rump  Songs,  ii.  47.  First 
with  a  SIRREVERENCE  ushers  the  Rump. 

1703.  WARD,  London  Spy,  ii.  38.  A 
narrow  Lane,  as  dark  as  a  Burying  Vault, 
which  Stunk  of  stale  Sprats  .  .  .  and 

SIRREVERENCE. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  180.  Knock- 
ing a  shiting  porter  down,  when  you  were 
diunk,  back  in  his  own  SIR-REVERENCE. 

1714.  Memoirs  of  John  Hall(\  Ed.), 
15.  The  Lower-Ward  [of  Newgate], 
where  the  tight-slovenly  Dogs  lye  upon 
ragged  Blankets,  spread  near  SIR-REVER- 
ENCE. 

1771.  SMOLLETT,  Humph.  Clinker 
(1900),  i.  66.  Asked  if  he  did  not  think 
such  a  ...  mixture  would  improve  the 
whole  mass,  '  Yes  ...  as  a  plate  of  mar- 
malade would  improve  a  pan  of  SIR- 
REVERENCE. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulgar  Tongue,  s.v. 
REVERENCE.  An  ancient  custom  which 
obliges  any  person  easing  himself  near  the 
highway  ...  on  the  word  REVERENCE 
being  given  him  by  a  passenger  to  take  off 
his  hat  with  his  teeth,  and  without  moving 
...  to  throw  it  over  his  head,  by  which 
it  frequently  falls  into  the  excrement  .  .  . 
A  person  refusing  to  obey  might  be  pushed 
backwards.  Ibid.,  s.v.  TARTADDLIN 
TART. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Arch,  and  Prov. 
Words,  s.v.  REVERENCE.  A  woman  of 
Devon  describing  something  not  peculiarly 
delicate,  apologised  with  "SAVING  YOUR 
REVERENCE."  This  is  not  uncommon  in 
the  country. 

SIR  SAUCE.     See  JACK  SAUCE  and 
SAUCE. 


SIR  SYDNEY,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
clasp  knife  (GROSE  and  VAUX). 

SIR  THOMAS  GRESHAM.  To  SUP 
WITH  SIR  THOMAS  GRESHAM, 
verb.  phr.  (old). — To  go  hungry  : 
see  DUKE  HUMPHREY. 

1628.  HAYMAN,  Quidlibet  [Epigram 
on  a  Loafer].  For  often  with  duke  Hum- 
phrey thou  dost  dine,  And  often  with  SIR 
THOMAS  GRESHAM  SUP. 

See  PERTHSHIRE  GREYBREEKS. 

SIR  TIMOTHY,  subs.  phr.  (B.  E. 
and  GROSE.— 'One  that  Treats 
every  Body,  and  Pays  the  Reckon- 
ings every  where.' 

SIR  TRISTAM'S  KNOT,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — The  hangman's  noose  :  see 
LADDER  and  HORSECOLLAR. 

[  ?  ].        WlLYAM        BULLEIN.          Light 

fellows  merrily  will  call  .  .  .  neckweede, 
or  SIR  TRISTAM'S  KNOT. 


SIR    WALTER    SCOTT,  subs. 
(rhyming). — A  pot  of  beer. 


phr. 


SISERARA  (SARSARA,  SISERARA, 
SASARARA,  &.C,,  subs.  (old). — i. 
A  writ  of  removal  from  a  lower  to 
a  higher  Court.  Hence  (2)  =  a 
blow,  a  scolding,  an  outburst; 
WITH  A  SARSARA  =  with  a  ven- 
geance,  suddenly. 

1607.  TOURNEUR,  Revenger's  Mag. 
[DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  [REED),  iv.  379]. 
Pray  .  .  .  that  their  sins  may  be  removed 
by  a  writ  of  error,  and  their  souls  fetched 
up  to  heaven  with  a  SASARARA. 

1607.  Puritan,  iii.  3.  If  it  be  lost  or 
stole  ...  a  cunning  kinsman  of  mine  .  .  . 
would  fetch  it  again  with  a  SESARARA. 

1758.  STERNE,  Tristam  Shandy,  vi. 
47.  I  fell  in  love  all  at  once  with  a  SISSE- 
RARA. 

1766.  GOLDSMITH,  Vicar,  xxi. 
Gentle  or  simple,  out  she  shall  pack  with  a 

SUSSARARA. 

1771.  SMOLLETT,  Humphrey 
Clinker,  i.  80.  I  have  gi'en  the  dirty  slut 
a  SISERARY. 


Sister. 


218 


Sit-on-a-rock. 


SCOTT  [Century].  He  attacked 
it  with  such  a  SISERARY  of  Latin  as  might 
have  scared  the  devil  himself. 

SISTER,  subs.  (old). — A  disguised 
whore  :  see  TART. 

1607.  DEKKER,  Westward  Ho,  ii.  2. 
The  serving-man  has  his  punk,  the  student 
his  nun  .  .  .  the  Puritan  his  SISTER. 

See  BROTHER  SMUT. 

SISTERHOOD,  subs,  (old).— Har- 
lotry in  general. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  i. 
She  certainly  must  be  considered  a  female 
.  .  .  materially  different  from  THE  SISTER- 
HOOD in  general. 

SIT,  subs.  (American  printers'). — 
Situation  :  e.g.  OUT  OF  A  SIT  = 
out  of  a  job. 

PHRASES.— To  SIT  ON  ONE'S 
KNEES  =  to  kneel ;  TO  SIT  UNDER 
=  to  attend  the  ministry  of  some 
particular  divine ;  TO  SIT  A 
WOMAN  =  to  keep  the  NIGHT- 
COURTSHIP  (q.v.}  :  cf.  BUNDLE  ; 
TO  SIT  ON  (or  UPON)-(I)  to  take 
to  task,  to  snub — in  anger,  con- 
tempt, or  jest  :  also  SAT-UPON, 
adj.  =  reprimanded,  snubbed  ;  and 
(2)  to  allow  milk  to  brim  in  the 
pan ;  TO  SIT  EGGS  =  to  outstay 
one's  welcome  ;  TO  SIT  IN  =  to 
adhere  firmly  ;  TO  SIT  UP  =  to 
pull  oneself  together  ;  TO  MAKE 
ONE  SIT  UP  =  to  astonish,  discon- 
cert, or  get  an  advantage.  See 
also  BODKIN,  SKIRTS. 

1474-85.  Paston  Letters  [ARBER] 
235.  [OLIVHANT,  New  Eng:,  i,  341.  Our 
slang  use  of  SIT  UPON  is  foreshadowed 
...  the  King  intends  TO  SITTE  UPPON  a 
criminal;  that  is,  in  judgment.] 

[  ?  ].  Battle  of  Babrinnes  [CHILD, 
Ballads,  vn.  229.  When  they  cam  to  the 
hill  againe  They  SETT  DOUNE  ON  THAIR 

KNEES. 

1644.  MILTON,  Of  Education.  There 
would  then  also  appear  in  pulpits  other 
visages,  other  gestures,  and  stuff  other- 
wise wrought  than  what  we  now  SIT 

UNDER. 


1754.  Connoisseur,  No.  27.  The  .  .  . 
audience  that  SITS  UNDER  our  preachers. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Kenil-worth,  xxxii.  I 
protest,  Rutland,  that  while  he  SAT  ON 
HIS  KNEES  before  me  ...  I  had  much  ado 
to  forbear  cutting  him  over  the  pate. 

1830.  SOUTHEY,  Bunyan,  25.  At 
this  time  he  SAT  (in  puritanical  language) 
UNDER  the  ministry  of  holy  Mr.  Gifford. 


1852.  Notes  and  Queries,  I  S.,  iv. 
43.  It  is  said  a  young  man  is  SITTING  A 
YOUNG  WOMAN  when  he  is  wooing  or 
courting  her. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Newcomcs,  ii. 
Each  to  SIT  UNDER  his  or  her  favourite 
minister. 

1876.  C.  H.  WALL,  tr.  Moliere,  \. 
411.  The  jester  shall  be  SAT  UPON  in  his 
turn  ;  he  shall  have  a  rap  over  the 
knuckles,  by  Jove. 

1880.  A.  TROLLOPE,  The  Duke's 
Children,  xxvi.  Experience  had  taught 
him  that  the  less  people  demanded  the 
more  they  were  SAT  UPON. 

1883.  JAMES  PAYN,  Thicker  than 
Water,  xxi.  The  only  person  to  whom  he 
had  ever  known  Mary  distinctly  antago- 
nistic .  .  .  He  had  seen  her  SIT  UPON  him 
.  .  .  rather  heavily  more  than  once. 

1883.  Referee,  March  25,  2,  4.  In 
the  years  gone  by  when  I  was  good,  and 
used  to  SIT  UNDER  Newman  Hall  at 
Surrey  Chapel. 

1888.  G.  GISSING,  A  Life's  Morning, 
iii.  He  allowed  himself  to  be  SAT  UPON 
gracefully  ;  a  snub  well  administered  to 
him  was  sure  of  its  full  artistic,  and  did 
not  fail  in  its  moral  effect. 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer,  15.  I  forgot 
to  open  last  term's  bills.  I  found  them 
yesterday  all  stowed  away  in  a  drawer, 
and  they  MADE  ME  SIT  UP. 

1893.  Chambers's  Jour.,  25  Feb., 
128.  With  that  SAT-UPON  sort  of  man 
.  .  .  you  never  know  where  he  may 
break  out. 

1902.  Free  Lance,  6  Oct.,  4,  2.  The 
fashion  papers  of  Paris  make  even  Ame- 
rica SIT  UP. 

SlTH-NOM,  subs.  phr.  (back  slang). 
—  A  month. 

SiT-ON-A-ROCK,  subs.  phr.  (Ameri- 
can). —  Rye  whiskey. 


Sil-still-nest. 


219 


Six. 


SIT-STILL- NEST,  subs.  phr.  (pro- 
vincial).— A  cow-turd  ;  QUAKER 

(q.V.)  ;   PANCAKE  (q.V.). 

SITTER,  subs.  (Harrow). — A  sitting 
room ;  cf.  BREKKER,  FOOTER, 
SACCER,  &c. 

SITTING-BREECHES.  To  WEAR 
ONE'S  SITTING  BREECHES,  verb, 
phr.  (old). — 'To  stay  long  in 
company '  (GROSE)  :  also  TO  SIT 

LONGER    THAN    A    HEN  :    cf.     TO 
SIT  EGGS. 

SITUATION,  subs,  (racing). — A 
place. 

1882.  "  THORMANBY,"  Famous  Rac- 
ing Men,  105.  The  three  worst  horses, 
probably,  that  ever  monopolized  the  Derby 
SITUATIONS. 

SIT-UPONS,  subs.  phr.  (common). — 
Trousers :  see  KICKS. 


Sunday-going  SIT-UPONS. 

1857.  CUTHBERT  BEDE,  Verdant 
Green,  II.  x.  I  should  advise  you,  old 
fellow,  to  get  your  SIT-UPONS  seated  with 
wash-leather. 

SIVVY,  subs,  (common). — Word  of 
honour  ;  asseveration  :  e.g.,  "PON 
MY  SIVVY  '  =  '  It's  true»  Honour 
bright  ! '  CJ.  DAVY. 

1883.  GREENWOOD,   Tag;  Rag,  and 
Co.     TON  MY  SIVVY,  if  you  were   to  see 
her  pecking,  you'd  think  she  was  laying 
on  pounds  weight   in   a  day  instead    of 
losing. 

1884.  Daily  Telegraph,  2  Feb.,  3,  i. 
"  You'll 'scuse  the  cheek  I  gave  you  just 
now,  mister,"  the  scowling  young  gentle- 
man remarked,  "  but,   'PON  MY  SIVVY,  we 
took  you  for  the  police." 

1892.  WATSON,  Wops  the  Waif,  n. 
Now  I'll  be  as  quiet  as  a  dummy  ;  I  will, 
'PON  MY  SIVY  ! 

Six,  subs,  (old).— i.  Beer  sold  at 
6s.  a  barrel  ;  small  beer  :  cf. 
FOUR-HALF  and  (modern)  six 
ALE. 


1631.  Clitus's  Whimsies,  97.  How 
this  threede-bare  philosopher  shrugges, 
shiffs,  and  shuffles  for  a  cuppe  of  six. 

1633.     ROWLEY,  Match  at  Midnight, 

1.  i.     Look  if  he  be  not  drunk  !     The  very 
sight  of  him  makes  one  long  for  a  cup  of 
six. 

2.   (Oxford  Univ.).—  A  privy. 

AT    SIXES    AND    SEVENS,    phr. 

(old). — In  confusion  ;  at  logger- 
heads (GROSE)  :  also  TO  SET  ON 
SEVEN  =  to  confuse,  to  disarray. 

c.i 340.  Avowyne  of  King  Arther,  64 
[Camden  Soc.,  Eng.  Meln.  Rom.,  89]. 
Alle  in  sundur  hit  [a  tun]  brast  IN  six  OR 

IN   SEUYN. 

1369.  CHAUCER,  Troilus,  iv.  622. 
Lat  not  this  wreched  wo  thyne  herte 
gnawe,  But  manly,  SET  the  worlde  ON  six 

AND  SEVENE. 

[?].  Morte  Arthure  [E.  E.  T.  S.], 
2131.  Thus  he  SETTEZ  ON  SEVENE  with 
his  sekyre  knyghttes  .  .  .  And  thus  at  the 
joyenyge  the  geauntez  are  dystroyede. 

1596.  NASHE,      Saffron       Walden 
{.Works,   iii.    38].   _  Caring    for  all    other 
things  else,  sets  his  owne  estate  AT  SIXE 

AND   SEAUEN. 

1597.  SHAKSPEARE,  Richard  II.,  \\. 

2.  All  is  uneven,  And  everything  is  left  AT 

SIX   AND   SEVEN. 

1598.  FLORIO,    Worlde    of  Wordes, 
s.v.       Asbaraglio    ...     at    SIXE    AND 
SEAUEN,  in  vaine. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Tra-vestie 
[Works  (1725)  73].  But,  like  a  Dame  of 
Wits  bereaven,  Let  all  Things  go  AT  six 

AND   SEVEN. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  i.  68.  May 
thy  Affairs  ...  All  the  World  o'er  AT 

SIXES  lie   AND   SEVENS. 

1768.  GOLDSMITH,  Good  Natured 
Man,  i.  Haven't  I  reason  to  be  out  of  my 
senses,  when  I  see  things  going  AT  SIXES 

AND   SEVENS? 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
481.  Whilst  things  went  on  AT  six  AND 
SEVEN,  Jove  smok'd  a  serious  pipe  in 
heaven. 

1781.  Gentleman's  Mag.,  li.  367.  AT 
SIXES  AND  SEVENS,  as  the  old  woman  left 
her  house. 


Sir-and-Eigktpence.       220  Sixty-per-cent. 


1790.  D'ARBLEV,  Diary  (1876),  iii. 
240.  All  my  workmen  in  the  country  are 
AT  SIXES  AND  SEVENS,  and  in  want  of  my 
directions. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  432.  The  affairs  of  the  treasurer 
.  .  .  are  all  AT  SIXES  AND  SEVENS. 

1816.  SCOTT,  Antiquary,  xxii.  All 
goes  TO  SIXES  AND  SEVENS — an  universal 
saturnalia  seems  to  be  proclaimed  in  my 
peaceful  and  orderly  family. 

SIX     OF     ONE     AND     HALF     A 
DOZEN     OF     THE      OTHER,    phr. 

(common). — Much  alike  ;  not  a 
pin  to  choose  between  them  ; 
*  never  a  barrel  the  better  herring.' 

SlX-AND-ElGHTPENCE,     Subs.     phr. 

(old).  —  I.  A  solicitor  :  see 
GREEN-BAG  (GROSE). 

1756.  FOOTE,  Englishman  Ret.  from 
Paris.  [An  attorney  is  hailed  as]  Good 

SIX-AND-EIGHTPENCE. 

2.  (old).—  See  quot. 

£•.1696.  B.  E.,  Cant.  Crew,  s.y.  Six 
AND  EIGHT-PENCE,  the  usual  Fee  given,  to 
carry  back  the  Body  of  the  Executed 
Malefactor,  to  give  it  Christian  Burial. 

SlX-AND-TlPS,  subs.  phr.  (Irish).— 
Whiskey  and  small  beer  (GROSE). 

SIXER,  subs,  (thieves').  —  i.  Six 
months'  hard  labour.  Also  2. 
(prison)  see  quot.  1877. 

1869.  Temple  Bar,  xxvi.  75.  The 
next  bit  I  did  was  a  SIXER. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
iii.  194.  He  keeps  a  sharp  eye  on  that 
man  to  see  he  does  not  "filch"  a  SIXER, 
as  the  six-ounce  loaf,  served  with  the 
dinner,  is  called. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  Bleary  Bill 
['  Pomes  '  61].  I  see  what  the  upshot  will 
be,  Dear  me  !  A  SIXER  with  H.A.R.D. 

SIX-FOOTER,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
A  person  six-feet  (or  more)  in 
height. 

c.  1 886.  Scientific  A  merican  [Century]. 
The  centenarian  is  a  SIX-FOOTER,  chews 
tobacco,  and  loves  a  good  story. 


SIXPENCE.    See  SPIT. 

SIXPENNY,  subs.  (Eton). — A  play- 
ing field. 

1864.  Eton  School  Days,  vi.  If  you 
are  not  in  SIXPENNY  after  twelve,  I  will  do 
my  best  to  give  you  a  hiding  wherever  I 
meet  you. 

Adj.  (old),  —  Cheap  ;  mean  ; 
worthless  :  generic.  Hence  SIX- 
PENNY STRIKERS  =  petty  foot- 
pads. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  i  Hen.  IV.,  ii. 
i,  82.  I  am  joined  with  no  foot-land 
rakers,  no  long -staff  SIXPENNY  strikers. 

1605.  London  Prodigal,  \.  i.  I'll 
not  let  a  SIXPENNY  purse  escape  me. 

c.  1619.  M  ASSINGER,  &c. ,  City  Madam, 
iii.  i.  I  know  them,  swaggering,  subur- 
bian  roarers,  SIXPENNY  truckers. 

SIX-SHOOTER,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
A  six  chambered  revolver.  Six- 
SHOOTER  HORSE  =  a  swift  horse. 

1887.  FRANCIS,  Saddle  and  Mocassin. 
A  SIX-SHOOTER  HORSE  is  a  heap  better 
than  a  six-shooter  gun  in  these  cases. 

1894.  W.  M.  BAKER,  New  Timothy, 
177.  '  The  weapons  of  our  warfare 
are  not  carnal '  —  bowie-knives,  SIX- 
SHOOTERS,  an'  the  like. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  viii. 
With  a  quiet  smile,  he  loaded  his  SIX- 
SHOOTER  ...  'for  contingencies." 

SIXTY,  subs,  (common). — Generic 
for  magnitude. 

1886.  Household  Words,  18  Sept., 
415.  "  Like  one  o'clock,"  "  Like  wink- 
ing," and  "  To  go  like  SIXTY,"  all  imply 
briskness  and  rapidity  of  motion. 

SIXTY-PER-CENT,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
—  A  usurer  :  also  CENT-PER- 
CENT. 

1616.  FLETCHER,  Custom  of  the 
Country,  ii.  3.  There  are  few  gallants 
.  .  .  that  would  receive  such  favours  from 
the  devil,  though  he  appeared  like  a 
broker,  and  demanded  SIXTY  i'  TH'  HUN- 
DRED. 

1853.  READE,  Gold,  i.  i.  What  you 
do  on  the  sly,  I  do  on  the  sly,  old  SIXTY 

PER  CENT. 


Six-upon-four. 


221 


Size. 


1850.  KINGSLEY,  Geoffry  Hamlyn, 
xiii.  Good  night,  old  mole,"  said 
Hawker;  "good  night,  old  bat,  old 
parchment  skin,  old  SIXTY  PER  CENT. 
Ha,  ha  1 " 

1889.  MARSH,  Crime  and  Criminal, 
xii.  Was  he  going  to  develop  into  a 
SIXTY  PER  CENT,  and  offer  me  a  loan  ? 

SIX-UPON-FOUR,  phr.  (nautical). — 
See  quot. 

1838.  GLASCOCK,  Land  Sharks  and 
Sea  Gulls,  ii.  193.  It  was  wicked  work 
with  them  when  it  came  to  be  six  UPON 
FOUR,  in  other  words,  when  long  cruizes 
produced  short  commons. 

1885.  Household  Words,  25  July, 
260.  In  his  time  '  there  were  often  six 
UPON  FOUR  aboard  ship,  and  two  banyan 
days  in  a  week,'  which  being  translated  is, 
the  rations  of  four  men  were  served  out 
amonest  six,  in  addition  to  which,  on  two 
days  in  the  week  no  rations  were  served 
out  at  all. 

SIX-WATER  GROG,  subs. phr.  (nauti- 
cal).— Six  of  water  to  one  of  spirit. 

1834.  MARRY  AT,  Peter  Simple,  xxxv. 
"  Take  care  I  don't  send  for  another 
helmsman,  that's  all,  and  give  the  reason 
why.  You'll  make  a  wry  face  upon  SIX- 
WATER  GROG  to-morrow,  at  seven  bells." 


SIZE  [subs,  and  verb,  and  SIZAR J, 
subs.  (Cambridge  Univ.  and  Trin. 
Coll.,  Dublin). — I.  See  quots.  : 
the  grade  no  longer  exists ;  prac- 
tically speaking,  it  has  ceased  to 
exist  for  a  century. 

1592.  NASHE,  Piers  Pennilesse,  45. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  2,  u.  A  Cam- 
bridge butler  sets  up  a  SIZE  (allowance  of 
bread)  ;  hence  come  SIZARS]. 

1594.  GREENE,  Friar  Bacon  and 
Friar  Bung ay.  Friar  Bacon's  SUB-SIZER 
is  the  greatest  blakhead  in  all  Oxford. 

1605.  SHAKSPEAR,  Lear,  ii.  4,   178. 
'Tis  not  in  thee  to  grudge  my  pleasures 
...  to  scant  my  SIZES. 

1606.  Ret.  from  Parnassus  [N ARES]. 
So  ho,  maister  recorder,  you  that  are  one 
of  the  divel's  fellow  commoners,  one  that 
SIZETH  the  devil's  butteries. 


1617.  MINSHEN,  Guide  unto  Tongues, 
s.  v.  A  SIZE  is  a  portion  of  bread  or  drinke, 

1.  is  a  farthing,  which  Schollers  in  Cam- 
bridge  haue  at  the  butterie  ;  it  is  noted 
with  the  letter  S. ,  as  in  Oxeford  with  the 
letter  Q.  for  halfe  a  farthing  and  q/u.  for  a 
farthing  ;  and  whereas  they  say  in  Oxford 
to   Battle  in  the  butterie  booke,  i.  to  set 
downe  on  their  names  what  they  take  in 
Bread,  Drinke,  Butter,  Cheese,  &c.,  so  in 
Cambridge  they  say  to  SIZE,    i.    to    set 
downe  their  quantum,   i.  how  much  they 
take  on  their  names  in  the  Butterie  booke. 

1626.  FLETCHER  and  ROWLEY,  Wit 
at  Sev.  Weapons,  ii.  To  be  so  strict  A 
niggard  to  your  Commons,  that  you're  fain 
To  SIZE  your  belly  out  with  shoulder  fees. 

1630.  RANDOLPH,  Aristippus  [HAZ- 
LITT,  Works  ^i^),  14].  Drinking  College 
tap-lash  .  .  .  will  let  them  have  no  more 
learning  than  they  SIZE. 

1633.     SHIRLEY,  Witty  Fair  One,  iv. 

2.  I   know  what  belongs  to  SIZING,  and 
have  answered  to  my  cue  in  my  days  ;  I 
am  free  of  the  whole  university. 

<f.i635.  CORBET,  Answ.  to  a  Certain 
Poem.  How  lackeys  and  SUB-SIZERS  press 
And  scramble  for  degrees. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue, s.v.  SIZE. 
To  sup  at  one's  own  expense.  If  a  man 
asks  you  to  sup,  he  treats  you  :  if  to  SIZE, 
you  pay  for  what  you  eat,  liquor  only  being 
provided  by  the  inviter.  Ibid.  SIZING- 
PARTY'S.  A  number  of  students  who  con- 
tribute each  his  part  towards  a  supper. 

1787.  Gentleman's  Mag-.,  1147.  The 
term  SUB-SIZAR  became  forgotten,  and  the 
SIZAR  was  supposed  to  be  the  same  as  the 
servitor.  Ibid.  (1795),  21.  In  general,  a 
SIZE  is  a  small  plateful  of  any  eatable  ; 
and  at  dinner  TO  SIZE  is  to  order  for  your- 
self any  little  luxury  that  may  chance  to 
tempt  you  ...  for  which  you  are  ex- 
pected to  pay  the  cook  at  the  end  of  the 
term. 

1798.  Laws  of  Harvard  College 
[HALL,  College  Words  and  Customs,  428]. 
When  they  come  into  town  after  commons, 
they  may  be  allowed  TO  SIZE  a  meal  at  the 
kitchen. 

18...  HAWKINS,  Orig.  of  Drama, 
iii.  271.  You  are  still  at  Cambridge  with 
your  SIZE  cue 

1811.  Laws  of  Yale  College  [HALL, 
College  Words  and  Customs,  428],  At  the 
close  of  each  quarter  the  Butler  shall  make 
up  his  bill  against  each  student,  in  which 
every  article  SIZED,  or  taken  up  by  him  at 
the  Buttery  shall  be  particularly  charged. 


Size. 


222 


Skedaddle. 


1824.  Gradus  ad  Cantab.,  s.v. 
SIZAR.  The  distinction  between  pension- 
ers and  SIZERS  is  by  no  means  considerable 
.  .  .  Nothing  is  more  common  than  to  see 
pensioners  and  SIZERS  taking  sweet  coun- 
sel together,  and  walking  arm-in-arm  to 
St.  Mary's  as  friends. 

_  1848.  THACKERAY,  Book  of  Snobs, 
xiii.  The  unlucky  boys  who  have  no  tas- 
sels to  their  caps  are  called  SIZARS — servi- 
tors [sic}  at  Oxford  ...  A  distinction  is 
made  in  their  clothes  because  they  are 
poor  ;  for  which  reason  they  wear  a  badge 
of  poverty,  and  are  not  allowed  to  take 
their  meals  with  their  fellow  students. 

185  .  MACAULAY,  Oliver  Goldsmith. 
The  SIZARS  paid  nothing  for  food  and 
tuition,  and  very  little  for  lodging  ;  but 
they  had  to  perform  some  menial  services 
from  which  they  have  long  been  relieved. 
They  swept  the  court  ;  they  carved  up  the 
dinner  to  the  fellows'  table,  and  changed 
the  plates,  and  poured  out  the  ale  of  the 
rulers  of  the  society. 

1851.  BRISTED,  Eng.  Univ.,  20.  'Go 
through  a  regular  second  course  instead  of 
the  SIZINGS.'  Ibid.,  19.  Soup,  pastry  and 
cheese  can  be  SIZED  for. 

18 . . .  PEIRCE,  Hist.  Harvard  Univ. , 
219.  We  were  allowed  at  dinner  a  cue  of  beer, 
which  was  a  half-pint,  and  a  SIZING  of 
bread,  which  I  cannot  describe  to  you.  It 
was  quite  sufficient  for  one  dinner. 

1861.  O'CuRRY,  Ancient  Irish,  i.  iv. 
Public  schools  where  the  sons  of  the  lower 
classes  waited  on  the  sons  of  the  upper 
classes,  and  received  certain  benefits  (in 
food,  clothes,  and  instruction)  from  them 
in  return.  In  fact  the  SIZAR-SHIPS  in  our 
modern  colleges  appear  to  be  a  modified 
continuation  of  this  ancient  system. 

1864.  HOTTEN,  Slang  Diet.,  s.v. 
SIZER.  Poor  scholars  at  Cambridge,  an- 
nually elected,  who  got  their  dinners  (in- 
cluding SIZINGS)  from  what  was  left  at  the 
upper,  or  Fellows'  table,  free,  or  nearly  so. 
They  paid  rent  of  rooms,  and  some  other 
fees,  on  a  lower  scale  than  the  "  Pension- 
ers "  or  ordinary  students,  and  were  equal 
with  the  "battlers"  and  "servitors"  at 
Oxford. 

1889.  Cambridge  Univ.  Cal.,  5. 
SIZARS  are  generally  Students  of  limited 
means.  They  usually  have  their  commons 
free,  and  receive  various  employments. 

2.  (old). — Half-a-pint  (GROSE). 

3.  (colloquial). — Result;  state; 
fact. 


1861.  BRADDON,  Trail  of  the  Ser- 
pent, iv,  vii.  "  Dead?"  said  Richard  .  .  . 
"  That's  about  THE  SIZE  OF  IT,  sir,"  re- 
plied Mr.  Peters. 

1889.  Lie.  Viet.  Gaz.,  8  Feb.  They 
don't  like  to  see  a  man's  figure-head  bat- 
tered, that's  about  THE  SIZE  OF  IT. 

1891.  GOULD,  Double  Event,  295. 
'  That's  about  THE  SIZE  OF  IT,'  said  Jack, 
'  and  I  don't  think  you  could  do  better.' 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  22. 
That's  THE  SIZE  OF  IT,  Charlie. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xviii. 
That's  about  THE  SIZE  OF  IT  ...  I  could 
have  got  away. 

Verb,  (colloquial). — To  mea- 
sure ;  to  gauge  ;  to  reckon  up  : 
also  TO  SIZE  UP. 

1380.  MIRK,  Inst.  Parish  Priests 
[E.  E.  T.  S.],  39.  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng., 
i.  106.  The  old  noun  SYSE  is  used  for 
measure  ;  hence  our  to  SIZE  MEN  on 
parade.  ] 

1847.  PORTER,  Big  Bear,  94.  You 
see,  Mr.  Porter,  I  thot  I'd  SIZE  her  pile. 

1889.  Puck's  Library,  25  Ap.  If 
you  want  to  know  just  how  thoroughly  the 
community  has  SIZED  YOU  UP,  and  to  get 
the  exact  dimensions,  ask  for  the  best  part 
in  the  amateur  theatricals. 

1891.  _  MARRIOTT-WATSON,  Web  of 
Spider,  xi.  I  haven't  seen  your  little 

5 id's  face  yet  ...   It  was  dark  .  .  .  and 
hadn't  time  to  SIZE  her. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  i. 
The  two  .  .  .  had  SIZED  UP  the  other 
guests  as  not  worth  .  .  .  powder. 

SKARY.    See  SKEER. 

SKEDADDLE,  subs,  and  verb,  (com- 
mon).— As  subs.  =  hasty  flight: 
also  SKEDADDLING.  As  verb.  = 
to  scamper  off ;  to  scatter ;  to 
spill.  For  synomyns  see  BUNK. 

1861.  New  York  Tribune  [BART- 
LETT].  With  the  South-east  clear  and 
General  Price  retiring  into  Arkansas  in  the 
South-west,  we  may  expect  to  witness  such 
a  grand  SKEDADDLE  of  Secesh  and  its 
colored  property  as  was  never  seen  before. 

1861.  Missouri  Democrat,  Aug.  No 
sooner  did  the  traitors  discover  their 
approach  than  they  SKEDADDLED,  a  phrase 
the  Union  boys  up  here  apply  to  the  good 
use  the  Seceshers  make  of  their  legs  in 
time  of  danger. 


Skeer. 


223 


Skelder. 


1862.  New  York  Tribune.  27  May, 
'War  Correspondence.'  Rebel  SKE- 
DADDLING is  the  next  thing  on  the  pro- 
gramme. 

1864.  HOTTEN,  Slang  Diet.,  292. 
Lord  Hill  wrote  [to  The  Times}  to  prove 
that  it  was  excellent  Scotch.  The  Ameri- 
cans only  misapply  the  word  .  .  .  in 
Dumfries  —  '  to  spill '  —  milkmaids  .  .  . 
saying,  '  You  are  SKEDADDLING  all  that 
milk.' 

1874.  BAKER,  Ismailia,  211.  Their 
noisy  drums  had  ceased,  and  suddenly  I 
perceived  a  general  SKEDADDLE. 

1877.  Atlantic  Monthly,  xl.  234. 
We  used  to  live  in  Lancashire  and  heard 
SKEDADDLE  every  day  of  our  lives.  It 
means  to  scatter,  or  drop  in  a  scattering 
way. 

1880.  MORTIMER  COLLINS,  Thoughts 
in  my  Garden,  i.  50.  The  burghers  SKE- 
DADDLED, and  the  Squire,  thanks  to  his 
faint-hearted  butler,  had  no  chance  of 
using  his  cavalry  sword. 

1890.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  17  Oct.,  2,  i. 
One  fine  day  it  happens  that  two  Irish 
leaders  SKEDADDLE  in  a  trawler  to  the 
Continent. 

1898.  GOULD,  Landed  at  Last,  vii. 
They  pays  regular.  There's  no  midnight 
SKEDADDLING  about  them. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,   261. 
'E's  a  "goner,"  buried  in  a  fall  of  earth, 
blown  up,  killed,  SKEDADDLED  out  o'  this 
camp. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xxxiv. 
And  the  bars,  are  they  cut  ready  for  a 

SKEDADDLE. 

SKEER,  verb.  (American).  —  To 
scare.  Hence  SKEERY  (SKARY, 
SCARY)  =  (i)  dreadful  ;  (2) 
frightened,  nervous. 

1582.  STANIHURST,  Mneid,  iv.  438. 
But  toe  thee,  poore  Dido,  this  sight  so 
SKEARYE  beholding. 

1825.  NEAL,  Bro.  Jonathan,  i.  iv. 
Ye  wasn't  SKEERED,  nor  nothin',  was  ye, 
tho'. 

1841.  The  Kinsmen,  i.  150.  '  Don't 
you  be  SCAREY,'  said  he. 

1848.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life  [BART- 
LETT].  I  got  a  little  SCARY  and  a  good 
deal  mad. 

1852.  "HAL.IBURTON,  Traits  0f  A tner. 
Humour,  I.  222.  He's  the  SCARIEST 
horse  you  ever  saw. 


1869.  BLACKMORE,    Lorna  Doone, 
lix.     The  horses  were  a  little  SKEARY. 

1880.  Scribner's  Mag.,  Jan.,  332.  I 
seen  they  was  mighty  SKEERED. 

1885.  HAWLEY  SMART,  Struck 
Down,  xi.  Women  get  SKEARY,  and 
desperate  afraid  of  being  compromised. 

^.1892.  WHITTIER,  Poems  [Century]. 
I'm  SCARY  always  to  see  her  shake  Her 
wicked  hand. 

SKEESICKS,  subs.  (American). — A 
good-for-nothing  ;  also  like  '  dog,' 
'rogue,'  'rascal,'  in  playful  ad- 
dress. —  BARTLETT.  [LELAND 
(S.  J.  &  C):  'I  take  it  rather 
to  mean  a  fidgetty,  fussy,  little 
fellow.'] 

1858.  Evening  Star  (Washington), 
Nov.  "  Oh,  he  be  d— d  1 "  replied  the 
fellow  :  "  he's  the  little  SKEEZICKS  that  told 
me  to  call  for  Long. "  This  brought  down 
the  house. 

1870.  BRET  HARTE,  Higgles  [Cen- 
tury],    Thar  ain't  nobody  but  him  within 
ten  miles  of  the  shanty,  and  that  ar'  .  .  . 
old  SKEESICKS  knows  it. 

SKEET,  verb.  (old). — A  variant  of 
SCOOT  (q.v.);  to  run,  or  decamp. 
As  adj.  and  adv.  (old  literary)  = 
swift,  fleet. 

^.1360.  Allit.  Poems  [MORRIS],  iii. 
195.  Thenne  ascryed  thay  him  SKETE. 

£.1400.  Tale  of  Gamelyn,  185.  A 
steede  ther  sadeled  smertely  and  SKEET. 

£.1430.  Destr.  of  Troy  [E.  E.  T.  S.], 
13434.  This  Askathes,  the  skathill,  had 
SKET  sons  thre. 

1848.  BURTON,  Waggeries,  17.  The 
critter  .  .  .  SKEETED  over  the  side  o'  the 
ship  into  the  water. 

SKEETER,  subs.  (American). — A 
mosquito. 

1852.  STOWE,  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin, 
xx.  Law,  Miss  Feely  whip!— [she]  wouldn't 
kill  a  SKEETER. 

SKELDER,  subs.  (old). — A  rogue  ;  a 
SPONGE  (q.v.)  :  as  verb.  —  to 
cheat ;  to  play  the  sponge  :  cf. 
SKELLUM.  Hence  SKELDERING 
=  swindling ;  sponging. , 


Skeleton. 


224 


Skewer. 


1599'  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  Out  of 
Humour.  His  profession  is  SKELDERING 
and  odling.  Ibid.  (1601),  Poetaster,  iii.  4. 
A  man  may  SK ELDER  ye  now  and  then  of 
half  a  dozen  shillings  or  so.  Ibid.  i. 
There  was  the  mad  SKELDERING  captain 
.  .  .  that  presses  every  man  he  meets,  with 
an  oath  to  lend  him  money. 

1609.  DEKKER,  Gulls  Horne-Booke, 
v.  If  he  be  poore,  he  shall  now  and  then 
light  upon  some  Gull  or  other,  whom  he 
may  SKELDER  (after  the  gentile  fashion)  of 
mony. 

1611.  MIDDLETON  and  DEKKER, 
Roaring  Girl,  v.  i.  Soldiers?  You 
SKELDERING  varlets ! 

1633.  MARMION,  Fine  Companion. 
Wandring  abroad  to  SKELDER  for  a  shil- 
ling Amongst  your  bowling  alleys. 

1773.  HAWKINS,  Orig.  Eng.  Drama, 
iii.  119.  If  SKELDRING  fall  not  to  decay, 
thou  shalt  flourish. 

1823.  SCOTT,  Peveril,  xxxviii.  She 
hath  many  a  thousand  stitched  to  her 
petticoat ;  such  a  wife  would  save  thee 
from  SKELDERING  on  the  public. 

SKELETON.     A  SKELETON  IN  THE 

CUPBOARD      (LOCKER,       CLOSET, 

HOUSE),  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
— A  secret  source  of  trouble,  fear, 
or  annoyance.  Fr.  un  cadavre. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Ne-wcomes,  xvii. 
Barnes'  SKELETON  CLOSET  [Title]. 

SKELLUM  (or  SCELLUM),  subs. 
(Old  Cant). — A  rascal :  a  vaga- 
bond :  cf.  SKELDER. 

1611.  CORY  AT,  Crudities.  He  longs 
for  sweet  grapes,  but  going  to  steale  'em, 
He  findeth  soure  graspes  and  gripes  from  a 
Dutch  SKELUM. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  123.  None 
hold  him,  but  all  cry,  Lope,  SCELLUM, 
lope! 

1663.  PEPYS,  Diary,  3  Ap.  He 
ripped  up  Hugh  Peters  (calling  him  the 
execrable  SKELLUM),  his  preaching  stirred 
up  the  maids  of  the  city  to  bring  their  bod- 
kins and  thimbles. 

1690.  Pagan  Prince.  Let  me  send 
that  SKELLUM  to  perdition. 

1719.  DURFEY,  Pills,  \.  210.  Now 
to  leave  off  writing,  SKELLUMS  pine  and 
grieve,  When  we're  next  for  Fighting 
We'll  not  ask  you  leave. 


1791.  BURNS,  Tarn  o'Skanter.  She 
tauld  thee  weel  thou  wast  a  SKELLUM,  A 
blethering,  blustering,  drunken  blellum. 

SKELPER,  subs,  (provincial). — Any- 
thing big  or  striking  :  see  SPANK- 
ER and  WHOPPER.  [SKELP  = 
a  blow,  and  as  verb,  to  strike.] 

SKELTER.    See  HELTER-SKELTER. 

SKENSMADAM,  subs,  (provincial). — 
A  show  dish,  sometimes  real, 
sometimes  sham. 

SKERFER,  subs,  (pugilists').  —  A 
blow  on  the  neck. 

SKET,  subs,  (thieves').— A  skeleton- 
key. 

SKEVINGTON'S  -  DAUGHTER  (or 
(-IRONS).  See  SCAVENGER'S- 

DAUGHTER. 

SKEW,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— i.  'A 
Begger's  Wooden  Dish  or  Cup' 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

1641.  BROME,  Jovial  Crew,  ii.  This 
is  Bien  Bowse  .  .  .  Too  little  is  my  SKEW. 

1754.  Song  [Scoundrels'  Diet.].  To 
thy  Bugher  and  thy  SKEW,  Filch  and 
Jybes,  I  bid  adieu. 

2.  (Harrow).  —  An  entrance 
examination  at  the  end  of  term  : 
that  at  the  commencement  is  the 
'dab,'  after  which  there  is  no 
further  chance  ;  a  shaky  candi- 
date tries  the  dab  first.  As  -verb. 
=  to  turn  back,  to  fail. 

SKEWER,  subs.  (American).— i.  A 
sword.  Hence,  as  verb.  —  ( i )  to 
run  through  ;  and  (2)  to  impose 
on. 

1848.  DURIVAGE,  Stray  Subjects, 
147.  Our  enterprising  journal,  which  had 
purchased  the  news,  in  company  with  its 
sharp  friends,  had  been  SKEWERED. 

2.  (common). — A  pen.  Fr. 
une  griffarde  (or  griffonante). 


Skew-fisted. 


225 


Skilt. 


SKEW- FISTED,  adj.  phr.  (old). — 
*  Awkward,  ungainly'  (B.  E.). 

SKEW-GEE,  subs,  (colloquial). — A 
squint  :'as  adj.  —  crooked,  skew'd, 
squinting. 

SKEWGY-MEWGY,  subs.  phr.  (nau- 
tical).— See  quot. 

1886.  St.  James's  Gaz.,  7  Ap.  The 
skipper  rejoices  in  a  steady  drizzling  rain, 
which  keeps  a  certain  caustic  composition, 
known  to  yachtsmen  by  the  mysterious 
name  of  SKEWGY-MEWGY,  damp  and  active 
under  the  scrubbing-brushes  and  holy- 
stones of  her  crew. 

SKEWING,  szibs.   (gilders).     In  pi. 

=  perquisites  ;  MAKINGS  (q.v.*). 
[Properly  SKEW  (gilders')  =  to 
remove  superfluous  gold  leaf,  and 
to  make  good  defects.]  Analogous 
terms  are  CABBAGE  (tailors') ; 
BLUE-PIGEON  (plumbers') ;  MEN- 
AVELINGS  (beggars')  ;  FLUFF 
(railway  clerks') ;  PUDDING,  or 
JAM  (common). 

SKEW-THE-DEW,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon). — A  splay-footed  person  ;  a 
BUMBLE-FOOT  (q.V.). 

SKEWVOW,  adj.  (old).— '  Crooked, 
inclining  to  one  side'  (GROSE)  : 

also  ALL  ASKEW. 

SKID  (or  SKIV),  subs,  (common). — 
A  sovereign :  see  RHINO. 

2.  (American). — A  volunteer; 
a  militiaman. 

To  PUT  ON  THE  SKID,  verb, 
phr.  (colloquial). — To  speak  or 
act  with  caution. 

1885.  Punchy  31  Jan.,  60.  I  could 
pitch  you  a  yarn  on  that  text ;  but  I  fear  I 

must   PUT  ON  THE  SKID. 

SKIFF,  subs,  (common). — A  leg  [?]. 

1891.  M.  Advertiser,  6  Ap.  Now, 
i6s.  sd.  wanted  a  lot  of  earning,  more 
especially  when  a  man  had  to  drive  an 
"old  crock"  with  "skinny  SKIFFS."— 


None  of  them  could  deny  that  the  "  S.T." 
cabs  were  horsed  by  very  old  racehorses, 
bad  platers,  and  what  were  termed  "chin 
backed  horses." 

SKIFFLE,  suds,  (common). — A  great 
hurry  :  cf.  SCUFFLE. 

SKILL,  subs,  (football).— A  goal 
kicked  between  posts. 

SKILLET,  subs,  (nautical). — A  ship's 
cook. 

SKILLINGERS  (THE),  subs,  (mili- 
tary). —  The  6th  (Inniskilling) 
Dragoons:  also  "The  Old 
Inniskillings." 

SKILLY  (or  SKILLIGOLEE),  subs. 
(formerly  nautical  and  prison : 
now  common). — I.  A  thin  broth 
or  soup  of  oatmeal  and  water. 
Hence  (2)  anything  of  little  or 
no  value.  SKILLY  AND  TOKE  = 
prison  fare. 

1846.  MARRY  AT,  Peter  Simple,  xi. 
I  am  not  worth  a  SKILLAGOLEE,  and  that 
is  the  reason  which  induces  me  to  con- 
descend to  serve  his  Majesty. 

1857.  SNOWDEN,  Magistrate's  Assis- 
tant (3rd  Ed,),  446,  s.v.  SKILLY.  The 
broth  in  prisons. 

1870.  Chambers' s  Miscellany,  No.  77, 
6.     Burgoo,  or  as  it  was  sportively  called, 
SKILLAGALLEE,   was    oatmeal    boiled    in 
water  to  the  consistency  of  hasty  pudding. 

1871.  Figaro,   7    Oct.     They    chris- 
tened the  latter  "  Cardwell's  SKILLY,"  and 
a  course  of  it  would  soon  turn  our  Life 
Guards  into  the  lightest  of  cavalry. 

1883.  D.  Telegraph,  19  May,  5,  4. 
England  did  not  wish  her  to  eat  SKILLY, 
and  to  wear  the  "  parish  dress." 

1889.  Sportsman,  2  Jan.  The  worthy 
ones  who  play  hole-and-corner  with  society 
are  made  to  partake  of  the  toke  of  contri- 
tion, and  the  SKILLY  of  repentance. 

1902.  DESART,  Herne  Lodge  Myst., 
xvi.  The  thought  of  SKILLY  ...  I  had 
very  vague  ideas  .  .  .  came  into  my  mind. 

SKILT,  subs,  (common). — In  //.  = 
trousers :  see  KICKS. 


Skim. 


226 


Skin. 


SKIM,  subs,  (thieves'). — See  quot. 

1869.  Daily  News,  29  July,  '  Police 
Reports.'  They  thought  it  contained  his 
SKIM  (money).  They  took  down  the  bag 
without  wakening  him,  and  found  that, 
instead  of  SKIM,  the  parcel  contained  two 
revolvers. 

SKIMBLE-SKAMBLE,  subs.,  adj., 
and  adv.  (old  colloquial). — Rig- 
marole, nonsense ;  wandering, 
confused  ;  incoherently. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  i  Hen.  IV.,  iii. 
i,  154.  Such  a  deal  of  SKIMBLE-SKAMBLE 
stuff. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  Desc.  of  a 
Wanton.  Here's  a  sweet  deal  of  SCIMBLE- 
SCAMBLE  stuff. 

SKIMMERY,  subs.  (Oxford  Univ.). 
St.  Mary's  Hall. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  viii. 
I  swopped  the  beggar  to  a  SKIMMERYMAN. 

1860.  G.  and  P.  WHARTON,  Wits 
and  Beaux  of  Society,  427.  After  leaving 
Westminster  School  he  was  sent  to  immor- 
tal SKIMMERY,  Oxford. 

SKIMMINGTON,  subs.  (old). — i.  See 
quots :  also  TO  RIDE  THE  SKIM- 
MINGTON (or  [Scots']  THE 
STANG).  [For  a  long  description 
see  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  n.  ii. 
585.]  Hence  (2)  a  row,  a  quarrel. 

1562.  Stowe's  London  [STRYPE],  B. 
ii,  258.  Shrove  Monday  at  Charing  Cross 
was  a  man  carried  of  four  men,  and  before 
him  a  bagpipe  playing,  a  shawm,  and  a 
drum  beating,  and  twenty  men  with  links 
burning  round  about  him.  The  cause  was 
his  next  neighbour's  wife  beat  her  husband  ; 
it  being  so  ordered  that  the  next  should 
ride  about  to  expose  her. 

1685.  OLDHAM,  Satyrs.  When  I'm 
in  pomp  on  high  processions  shown,  Like 
pageants  of  lord  may'r,  or  SKIMMINGTON. 

1753.  WALPOLE,  Letters,  i.  289. 
There  was  danger  of  a  SKIMMINGTON 
between  the  great  wig  and  the  coif,  the 
former  having  given  a  flat  lie  to  the  latter. 

1785.  GROSS,  Vulgar  Tongue,  s.v. 
RIDING"SKIMMINGTON.  A  ludicrous  caval- 
cade, in  ridicule  of  a  man  beaten  by  his 
wife.  A  man  behind  a  woman,  face  to 
horse's  tail,  distaff  in  hand,  which  he 


seems  to  work,  the  woman  beating  him 
with  a  ladle  ;  a  smock  on  a  staff  is  carried 
before  them  denoting  female  superiority. 
They  are  accompanied  by  rough  music, 
frying  pans,  bull's  horns,  marrowbones  and 
cleavers,  &c. — Abridged. 

1822.  SCOTT,  Fortunes  of  Nigel,  xxi. 
Note.  The  SKIMMINGTON  has  been  long 
discontinued  in  England. 

1865.  Exeter  Police  Report,  9  Sept 
Summary  justice  had  been  done  by  a 
SKIMMINGTON  MATCH  [sic],  on  two  married 
persons,  whose  ill  and  faithless  example 
had  scandalised  the  neighbourhood. 

SKIMP,  verb,  (colloquial).  —  To 
stint;  TO  SCAMP  (q.v.).  As  adj. 
= insufficient,  meagre  ;  SKIMPING 
(or  SKI MPY)= scanty,  carelessly 
made,  slightingly  treated. 

1864.  Sun,  28  Dec.,  Review  Hotten's 
Slang  Diet.  Mr.  Hotten  has  made  no 
mention  of  a  dress  that  is  describable  as 

SKIMPY. 

1879.  BREWER,  Eng.  Studies,  444. 
The  work  was  not  SKIMPING  work  by  any 
means. 

1885.  CRADDOCK,  Proph.  Gt.  Smoky 
Mountains,  iv.  Grey  hair  drawn  into  a 
SKIMPY  knot  at  the  back  of  the  head. 

1888.  EGGLESTON,  Graysons,  xix. 
The  woman  who  has  .  .  .  schemed  and 
SKIMPED  to  achieve  her  attire  knows  the 
real  pleasure  and  victory  of  self-adornment. 

SKIMSHANDER.     See  SCRIMSHAW. 

SKIN,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  purse;  a 
pocket-book  ;  any  receptacle  for 
money.  Thus  A  QUEER  SKIN  = 
an  empty  purse ;  FRISK  THE 
SKIN  =  'clean  him  out'  (GROSE 
and  VAUX). 

1821.  HAGGART,  Life,  15.  ^  Young 
McGuire  had  taken  some  SKINS  with  a  few 
shillings  in  each. 

1852.  JUDSON,  Myst.  of  New  York, 
vii.  The  offisare  ave  frisk  me  ;  he  ave  not 
found  ze  SKIN  or  ze  dummy,  eh? 

1856.  MAYHEW,  Gt.  World  of  Lon- 
don, iii.  The  London  buzman  can  keep 
his  pony  by  abstracting  SKINS  from  gentle- 
men's pockets. 

2.  (old). — A  sovereign  ;  2O/-  : 
see  RHINO. 


Skin. 


227 


Skin. 


3.  (old). — In  //.  =  a    tanner 
(GROSE). 

4.  (American).     See  SKINNER. 

5.  (American). — A  translation  ; 
a  CRIB   (q.v.) ;   a  BOHN   (q.v.). 
Also  as  z/<?r£.  =  to  copy  a  solution  ; 
and    SKINNER  =  one    using    an 
irregular  aid  to  study. 

1851.  BRISTED,  Five  Years,  394. 
Barefaced  copying  from  books  and  reviews 
in  their  compositions  is  familiar  to  our 
students,  as  much  so  as  SKINNING  their 
mathematical  examples.  Ibid.,  457. 
Classical  men  were  continually  tempted  TO 
SKIN  the  solution  of  these  examples. 

1855.  Yak  College   Songs.     'Twas 
plenty  of  SKIN  with  a  good  deal  of  bohn. 

18  [t].  Yale  Lit.  Mag.  [BARTLETT]. 
Never  SKIN  a  lesson  which  it  requires  any 
ability  to  learn. 

1856.  HALL,    College     Words    and 
Customs,  430.  In  examinations  .  .  .  many 
.  .  .  cover  the  palms  .  .  .  with  dates,  and 
when  called  upon  for  a  given  date  they 
read  it  off  ...  from  their  hands.     Such 
persons  SKIN. 

i8[?].  TRUMBULL,  Story  of  the 
Sheepskin  [BARTLETT].  But  now  that 
last  Biennial's  past ;  I  SKINNED  and  fizzled 
through. 

6.  (American). — Punch    made 
in  the  glass  :  as  a  WHISKEY-SKIN, 
a  RUM-SKIN,  &c. 

1871.  HAY,  Little  Breeches.  Says 
he,  'Young  man,  the  Phins,  know  their 

OWn  WHISKEY-SKINS." 

7.  (common).    See  SKINFLINT. 

Verb  (old  colloquial). — I.  To 
rob ;  to  strip ;  to  CLEAN  OUT 
(q.v.)'.  spec,  (racing)  to  win  all 
one's  bets  ;  (bookmakers')  SKIN 

THE  LAMB  (or  HAVE  A  SKINNER) 

=  to  win  with  an  unbacked  horse  ; 
(2)  =  to  swindle  ;  and  (3)  =  TO 
TAKE  TOLL  (q.V.).  Hence  SKIN- 
GAME  (e.g.,  SKIN-FARO  :  see  quot. 
1882)=  a  swindle  :  SKIN-HOUSE 
=  a  gambling  den ;  SKINNER  = 


(i)  a  sharping  cheat,  a  thief :  spec. 
(American)  a  looter  infesting  both 
camps  ;  (2)  a  pirate  ;  and  (3)  a 
race,  which  being  won  by  a  rank 
outsider,  SKINS  the  ring. 

1821.  COOPER,  Spy,  i.  This  poor 
opinion  of  the  SKINNERS  was  not  confined 
to  Mr.  Caesar  Thompson. 

1836.  MILNER,  Turpiris  Ride  to 
York,  ii.  5.  Sam.  PEEL  MY  SKIN  and 
dub  up  the  browns  !  What  do  you  mean  ? 
Bal.  Just  this— that  if  you  do  not  hand 
over  your  money  I  shall  blow  out  your 
brains  ! 

1855.  IRVING,  Wolferfs  Roost,  17. 
The  SKINNERS  and  Cowboys  of  the  Revo- 
lution, when  they  wrung  the  neck  of  a 
rooster,  did  not  trouble  .  .  .  whether  they 
crowed  for  Congress  or  King  George. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Labour, 
n.  81.  Perhaps  begets  SKINNED  .  .  .  and 
sells  them  for  what  he  can. 

1869.  BRADWOOD,  O.V.H.,  xix.  And 
a  carefully  roped  and  bottled  animal,  that 
dropped  like  a  meteor  upon  the  racing 
public  for  the  Chester  Cup,  SKINNED  THE 
LAMB  for  Mr.  Bacon,  landed  every  bet 
standing  in  his  book. 

1882.  McCABE,   New   York,   xxxix. 
545.     SKIN-FARO  the  only  game    played 
here,   offers   no  chance  whatever  to  the 
player.     In  SKIN-FARO  the  dealer  can  take 
two  cards  from  the  box  instead  of   one 
whenever  he  chooses  to  do  so. 

1883.  Sat.  Review,  28^  April,  533,  2. 
His  victory  proved  a  gold  mine  to  the  pro- 
fessional bookmakers,  many  of  whom  did 
not  bet  against  the  horse  at  all,  thus  per- 
forming the  profitable  operation  technically 
known  in   the  betting-ring  as  SKINNING 

THE  LAMB. 

1883.  Graphic,  21  April,  410,  2.  The 
Ring  are  enormous  winners  on  the  race, 
the  majority  having  SKINNED  THE  LAMB. 

1883.  GREENWOOD,      In     Strange 
Company.    Amongst  themselves  they  are 
SKINNERS,  knock-outs,  odd-trick  men,  and 
they    \york    together   in  what  .   .  .  their 
profession  calls  a  "swim." 

1884.  Referee,  10  August,  i,  i.     The 
winner  being  found  in    Quilt,   who    had 
sufficient  support  to  leave  the  result  any- 
thing but  a  SKINNER  for  the  bookmakers. 
Ibid.  (1889),  2  June.     They  had  made  a 


Skin. 


228 


Skin. 


little  overtime  at  an  inn  near  the  station, 
and,  by  way  of  grace  after  meat,  gone 
over  the  landlord,  left  him  SKINNED,  and 
the  furniture  smashed. 

1890.  Atlantic  Monthly,   Ixvi.    511. 
There  were  two  sets  of  these  scapegraces — 
the  'Cow-boys,'  or  cattle  thieves,  and  the 
SKINNERS,  who  took  everything  they  could 
find. 

1891.  M.    Advtr.,   21    Mar.      The 
prisoner  was  entrusted  with  two  tons  of 
coal  to  deliver.     Sergeant  Hiscock,  of  the 
V  division,  watched  his  movements,  and 
saw    him   SKINNING  the    sacks — that    is, 
removing  lumps  from  the  tops  and  placing 
them  in  an  empty  sack. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  51. 
Southern  planters  used  to  lose  money  just 
like  fun,  and  were  SKINNED  right  and  left. 

1902.  D.  Mail,  17  Nov.,  6,  i.  What 
they  shudderingly  designate  a  SKINNER 
was  enjoyed  by  a  majority  of  the  layers 
when  old  Fairyfield  credited  Mr.  George 
Edwardes  with  the  Belper  Selling  Plate. 

2.  (thieves').  —  To    SHADOW 
(^.z>.):    spec,  when   previous    to 
arrest.     See  NARK. 

3.  (common).  —  To    strip,   TO 
PEEL  (q.v.) ;  and  (venery),  to  re- 
tire the  prepuce,   TO  SKIN  THE 

LIVE  RABBIT.      Whence  SKINNER 

(see  quot.  1856). 

1856.  MAYHEW,  Gt.  World  of  Lon- 
don, 46.  SKINNERS,  or  women  and  boys 
who  strip  children  of  their  clothes. 

1861.  DICKENS,  Great  Expectations, 
xxxi.  SKIN  the  stockings  off  ...  or 
you'll  bust  'em. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  59.  1 
have  seen  a  game  player  just  SKIN  OFF 
his  watch  and  ring  and  studs  and  play 
them  in. 

4.  (gaming).  —  To    PLANT    A 
DECK     (q.v.)'.     see     CONCAVE, 
BROADS,  and  REFLECTOR. 

5.  (common).  —  To    abate    a 
price ;     to  lower    a    value :     cf. 

SHAVING      THE       LADIES       (s.V. 

SHAVE). 

6.  (common).  —  To    thrash  : 

also  TO  SKIN   ALIVE. 


1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,  22  Dec. 
'  If  yer  don't  stop  your  guzzum  I'll  SKIN 
YER  ALIVE'.  .  .  She  flourished  a  skillet  at 
him. 

1895.  Idler,  Aug.,  63.  I'm  sure  that 
her  parents  would  SKIN  her,  If  they 
thought  that  she  smiled  on  my  suit. 

1902.  HEADON  HILL,  Caged,  xxxiv. 
I'd  have  SKINNED  the  'ussy  if  I'd  caught 
her  prying  into  my  grounds. 

OTHER  COLLOQUIALISMS  AND 
PHRASES. — BY  THE  SKIN  OF 
ONE'S  TEETH  =  a  narrow  escape, 
the  closest  of  close  shaves ;  TO 
SKIN  OUT  =  to  decamp  ;  TO  SKIN 
THE  CAT  (gymnasts')  =  to  grasp 
the  bar  with  both  hands,  raise  the 
feet,  and  so  draw  the  body, 
between  the  arms,  over  the  bar ; 

LIKE  EELS,    USED    TO  SKINNING 

=  of  good  heart ;  TO  SKIN  THE 
EYES  (see  KEEP)  ;  ALL  SKIN 
AND  WHIPCORD  =  well-trussed  ; 
in  good  condition  ;  IN  (or  WITH) 
A  WHOLE  SKIN  =  uninjured,  with 
impunity;  TO  SAVE  ONE'S  SKIN 
=  to  escape  unhurt  :  see  BACON  ; 

TO  SKIN  A  FLINT  (see  SKIN- 
FLINT) ;  honest  as  the  SKIN 
BETWEEN  HIS  BROWS  (or  HORNS)  : 

see  BROW  ;  TO  SKIN  A  RAZOR  = 
to  drive  a  hard-and-fast  bargain ; 
TO  SKIN  ONE'S  SKUNK  =  to  do 
one's  own  dirty  work  ;  IN  A  BAD 
SKIN  =  angry  (GROSE)  ;  CLEAN- 
SKIN  ( Australian  )  =  an  unbranded 
beast ;  <f.  MAVERICK  ;  TO  LEAP 
(or  JUMP)  OUT  OF  ONE'S  SKIN  = 
to  be  startled  or  pleased  ;  IN  HER 
or  HIS)  SKIN  =  evasive  as  to  a 
person's  whereabouts. 

i6[?].  Marq.  of  Huntley's  Retreat 
[CHILD,  Ballads,  vii.  271].  He  had  re- 
solved that  day  To  sleep  IN  A  WHOLE 
SKIN. 

1605.  MARSTON,  Dutch  Courtezan, 
iii.  i.  Blesse  me,  I  was  never  so  OUT  OF 
MY  SKINNE  in  my  life. 

1611.  Bible,  'Authorised  Version,' 
Job  xix.  20.  I  am  escaped  WITH  THE 

SKIN  OF    MY  TEETH. 


Skin. 


229 


Skinflint. 


1616-25.  Court  and  Times  fas.  I. 
OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  71.  Amongst 
Romance  words  are  SAVE  HIS  SKIN,  re- 
freshed with  money  .  .  .] 

1664.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie  (tst 
ed.),  72.  /Eneas,  was  so  glad  on's  kin, 
He  ready  was  T'LEAP  OUT  ON'S  SKIN. 

^.1704.  L'EsTRANGE,  Works  [Cen- 
tury]. Dangerous  civilities,  wherein  'tis 
hard  for  a  man  to  SAVE  both  HIS  SKIN  and 
his  credit. 

1708.  CENTLIVRE,  Busy-Body,  v.  i. 
Confirm  it !  Make  me  LEAP  OUT  OF  MY 
SKIN. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
i.  Col.  Pray,  Miss,  where  is  your  old 
Acquaintance,  Mrs.  Wayward.  Miss. 
Why,  where  should  she  be?  You  must 
needs  know ;  she's  IN  HER  SKIN. 

1798.  G.  COLMAN  (the  younger),  Blue 
Devils,  i.  i.  Made  me  JUMP  OUT  OF  MY 
SKIN  with  joy. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  26.  At  these  words  I  was  ready 

tO  JUMP   OUT   OF   MY   SKIN   for  joy. 

1836.  SCOTT,  Tom  Cringle's  Log,  i. 
Who  says  that  EELS  CAN  not  BE  MADE  USED 
TO  SKINNING  ?  The  poor  girls  continued 
their  preparations  with  an  alacrity  and 
presence  of  mind  that  truly  surprised  me. 
There  was  neither  screaming  nor  fainting. 

1841.  THACKERAY,  Snobs,  xii.  I 
should  be  ready  to  JUMP  OUT  OF  MY  SKIN 
if  two  Dukes  would  walk  down  Pall  Mall 
with  me. 

1877.  BESANT  and  RICE,  Golden 
Butterfly,  xxxiii.  You  jest  gather  up 
your  traps  and  SKIN  OUT  of  this. 

1882.  GRANT,  Bush  Life,  i.  206. 
These  CLEAN  SKINS  ...  are  supposed  to 
belong  to  the  cattle  owner,  on  whose  run 
they  emerge  from  their  shelter. 

1888.  Phil.  Ey.  Bulletin,  23  Feb. 
Another  Presidential  candidate  who  is 
abroad,  it  will  be  remembered,  utilized  a 
pole  daily  for  SKINNING  THE  CAT. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  Under 
Arms,  xx.  Brought  out  a  horse — the 
same  I'd  ridden  from  Gippsland,  saddled 
and  bridled,  and  ready  to  JUMP  OUT  OF 

HIS   SKIN. 

1891.  GOULD,  Double  Event,  101. 
The  horse  was  regularly  worked,  and  he 
looked  in  splendid  health  and  condition, 

FIT   TO    JUMP   OUT    OF    HIS  SKIN,  tO  USC  a 

racing  term. 


1896.  SALA,  London  up  to  Date,  66. 
At  the  election  I  had  no  less  than  seven- 
teen black  balls  ;  but  ...  I  got  in  by  the 

SKIN   OF   MY  TEETH. 


SKIN -COAT,  subs.  phr.  (venery). — 
The  female  pudendum:  see 
MONOSYLLABLE.  Hence  SHAK- 
ING A  SKIN-COAX  =  copulating. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  11.  xvii. 
And  by  God,  I  will  have  their  SKINCOAT 
SHAKEN  once  yet  before  they  die. 

To  CURRY  ONE'S  SKINCOAT, 
verb.  phr.  (old).— To  thrash. 

SKIN-DISEASE,  57/fo.  /^.(common). 
— Fourpenny  ale. 

SKINFLINT  (or  SKIN),  subs.  (old). 
— '  A  griping,  sharping,  close- 
fisted  Fellow'  (B.  E.,  £.1696, 
and  GROSE).  As  verb,  (or  TO 

SKIN,    or    FLAY,    A    FLINT,     FLY, 

STONE,  &c.)  =  to  pinch,  to  screw, 
to  starve :  cf.  (proverbial)  '  to 
skin  a  flea,  and  bleed  a  cabbage ' ; 
SKINNY  =  mean,  stingy;  THE 
SKINFLINTERIES  =  The  Museum 
of  Economic  [now  Practical]  Geo- 
logy, Jermyn  St.,  W.  See  FILE, 
FLAY,  FLEA,  and  FLINT  for 
additional  quots. 

1761.  MURPHY,  Citizen,  ii.  An  old 
miserly  good-for-nothing  SKIN-FLINT. 

1789.  PARKER,  Life's  Painter,  '  The 
Masqueraders.'  The  miser,  that  SKIN- 
FLINT old  elf. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  212.  The  SKINFLINT  would  not 
trust  me  for  six  ells  of  cloth. 

1816.  SCOTT,  Antiquary,  xi.  It 
would  have  been  long  .  .  .  ere  my  woman- 
kind could  have  made  such  a  reasonable 
bargain  with  that  old  SKINFLINT.  Ibid. 
Fortunes  of  Nigel,  xxxi.  '  Plague  on  ye,' 
he  muttered,  'for  a  cunning  auld  SKIN- 
FLINT ! ' 

1833.  MARRY  AT,  Peter  Simple  (1846), 
n.  194.  Report  says  she  would  SKIN  A 
FLINT  if  she  could. 


Skinful. 


230 


Skink. 


1868.  Putnam's    Mag.,    Jan.      Old 
miser  Dyser,  SKIN  a  fly,  Sir,  Sell  the  skin 
and  turn  the  money  in. 

1869.  BYRON,  Not  such  a  Fool  as  He 
Looks   [FRENCH],    12.     Sharp    old  SKIN- 
FLINT, downy  old  robber  as  he  is. 

1884.  Century  Mag.,  xxxix.  227.  He 
would  refer  to  ...  his  former  employer  as 
that  SKIN. 

1889.  D.  Tel.,  ii  May.     It  was  sug- 
gested that  the  obstructive  vehicles  should 
stop  in  front  of  the  Museum  of  Economic 
[sic]  Geology — popularly  known  as  THE 
SKINFLINTERIES. 

1890.  Lancet,  n.  246.    As  a  rule  the 
whole  of  the  men  in  a  factory  would  con- 
tribute, and  SKINNY  ones  were  not  let  off 
easily. 

1898.  HUME,  Hagar,  i.  He  was 
...  so  avaricious  that  throughout  the 
neighbourhood  he  was  called  SKINFLINT. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  vi. 
This  old  SKINFLINT  is  such  a  character 
that  you  should  keep  all  the  working  re- 
sults sealed,  till  he  certifies  his  own. 


SKINFUL,    subs,     (common). — A 
bellyful — liquor  or  food. 

1600.  KEMP,  Dance  to  Norwich 
[ARBER,  Eng.  Garner,  vii.].  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng. ,  ii.  52.  A  man  takes  a  jump  ; 
he  may  have  his  SKINFULL  of  drink.  ] 

1640-50.  HOWELL,  Letters,  iii.  5. 
[Howell  calls  his  body  A  SKINFULL  OF 

BONES.] 

1773.  GOLDSMITH,  She  Stoops  to 
Conquer,  .  .  .  I'll  wager  the  rascals  a 
crown,  They  always  preach  best  with  a 

SKINFUL. 

1868.  W.  S.  GILBERT,  Bab  Ballads, 
'  Sir  Macklin."  He  wept  to  think  each 
thoughtless  youth  Contained  of  wickedness 

a  SKINFUL. 

1888.  RUNCIMAN,  Chequers,  85. 
They  were  reasonably  anxious  to  secure  a 
SKINFUL,  and  they  feared  lest  my  powers 
might  prove  abnormal. 

1897.  D.  Mail,  25  Sep.,  7,  3.  The 
elastic  skin  man  comes  over  here  for  the 
first  time,  and  the  Custom  House  authori- 
ties will  need  to  look  out  that  he  is  not 
employed  for  smuggling  purposes — he  has 
certainly  been  known  many  a  time  to  have 

his  SKINFUL. 


SKINK,  verb.  (old). — Primarily  to 
draw,  serve,  or  offer  drink. 
Whence  as  sul>s.=  drink  or  LAP 
(q.v.);  and  SKINKER=(I)  a  tap- 
ster, or  waiter  (B.  E.);  (2)  a 
landlord,  and  (3)  see  quots.  1785 
and  1847. 

1205.  LAYAMON  [MADDEN],  8124. 
Weoren  tha  bernes  [men],  I-SC<ENGTE  mid 
beore,  &  tha  drihliche  gumen,  weoren  win- 
drunken. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  '  Mer- 
chant's Tale,'  478.  Bacus  the  wyn  hem 
SKYNKETH  al  aboute. 

1582-7.  HAKLUYT,  Voyages,  i.  480. 
For  that  cause  called  this  new  city  by  the 
name  of  Naloi :  that  is  SKINCK  or  poure  in. 

1594.  GREEN  and  LODGE,  Looking 
Glass  Jor  London  and  England.  I'll 
have  them  SKINK  my  standing  bowls  with 
wine.  Ibid.  Jack  SKINKER,  fill  it  full. 

1600.  HAUGHTON,  Grim  the  Collier 
[DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  xi.  222].     I 
must  be  SKINKER  then  .  .  .  They  all  shall 
want  ere  Robin  shall  have  none. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  iv.  3.    Alb. 
I'll  ply  the  table  with  nectar,  and  make 
them  friends.     Her.  Heaven  is  like  to  have 
but  a  lame  SKINKER,  then.    Ibid.  (1614), 
Bartholomew  Fair.,  ii.     Then  SKINK  out 
the  first  glass  ever,    and  drink  with  all 
companies.  Ibid.  (d.  1637),  Verses  at  Apollo, 
vii.  295.  Hang  up  all  the  poor  hop-drinkers, 
Cries  old  Sym,  the  King  of  SKINKERS. 

1606.  MARSTON,  Sophon,  v.  2.  Let 
me  not  drink  'Till  my  breast  burst,  O 
Jove,  thy  NECTAR  SKINKE. 

1609.  DEKKER,  Gull's  Hornbook,  26. 
Awake  thou  noblest  drunkard  Bacchus — 
teach  me,  thou  sovereign  SKINKER. 

1617.  FLETCHER,  Knight  of  ^Malta, 
iii.  i.  Our  glass  of  life  runs  wine,  the 
vintner  SKINKS  it. 

£.1650.  BRATHWAYTE,  Barnaby's  Jo. 
(1723),  57.  There  I  toss'd  it  with  my 
SKINKERS,  Not  a  drop  of  Wit  remained 
Which  the  Bottle  had  not  drained. 

1652.  SHIRLEY,  Impost.,  AS,  57. 
Such  wine  as  Ganymede  doth  SKINKE  to 
Jove. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SKINK  ...  to  wait  on  the  company,  ring 
the  bell,  stir  the  fire,  and  snuff  the  candles  ; 
the  duty  of  the  youngest  officer  in  the 
military  mess. 


Skin-merchant. 


231 


Skip. 


1818.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  iv.  I  give 
my  vote  and  interest  to  Jonathan  Brown, 
our  landlord,  to  be  the  King  and  Prince  of 
SKINKERS,  conditionally  that  he  fetches  us 
another  bottle  as  good  as  the  last. 

1831.  LAMB,  Satan  in  Search  o/  a 
Wife,  ii.  xxvii.  No  Hebe  fair  stood  cup- 
bearer there,  The  guests  were  their  own 

SKINKERS. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Arch.  Words, 
s.v.  SKINK.  In  a  family  the  person  latest 
at  breakfast  is  called  the  SKINK,  or  the 
SKINKER,  and  some  domestic  office  is  im- 
posed or  threatened  for  the  day,  such  as 
ringing  the  bell,  putting  coal  on  the  fire, 
or  in  other  cases,  drawing  the  beer  for  the 
family. 

1852.  HAWTHORNE,  Blithedale  Ro- 
mance, 245.  Some  old-fashioned  SKINKERS 
and  drawers  were  spreading  a  banquet  on 
the  leaf-strewn  earth. 

SKIN-MERCHANT,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  recruiting  officer. 

1783.  BURGOYNE,  Lordof  the  Manor, 
iii.  2.  I  am  a  manufacturer  of  honour  and 
glory — vulgarly  call'd  a  recruiting  dealer, 
or  more  vulgarly  still,  a  SKIN-MERCHANT. 

SKIN  NED- RABBIT,  subs.  phr.  (col- 
loquial).— A  very  spare  person. 

SKINNER,     i.  See  SKIN. 

2.  (sporting).  —  A  bird  fat 
enough  to  burst  its  skin  when 
shot. 

SKIN  -  OF  -THE-  CREATURE  (or 
CRATER),  subs.  phr.  (Irish). — A 
bottle :  see  CREATURE. 

SKIN -THE- LAMB,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— Lansquenet :  see  also  SKIN, 
verb.  I. 

SKIN  -  THE-  FIZZLE,  subs.  phr. 
(venery). — The  female  pudendum: 
see  MONOSYLLABLE. 

SKINTIGHT,  subs,  (common). — A 
sausage. 

SKINTLING,  adv.  (American). — See 
quot. 


i8[?].  Science  [Century}.  [The  bricks] 
are  carried  in  wheelbarrows,  and  set 
SKINTLING,  or  at  right  angles  across  each 
other. 

SKIP,  subs,  (old).— i.  A  footman; 
a  GRASSHOPPER  (q.v.}.  Whence 
spec.  2  (Trin.  Coll.,  Dublin),  a 
college  servant  :  cf.  GYP  and 

SCOUT.      Also     SKIPKENNEL    (B. 

E.  and  GROSE). 

1672.  A.  BROME,  Covent  Garden 
Drollery.  The  prizes  they  took  were  a 
Londoner's  groat,  A  gentleman's  she,  but 
his  SKIPKENNEL'S  pot. 

1703.  WARD,  London  Spy,  vn.  151. 
As  a  Courtier's  Footman  when  he  meets 
his  Brother  SKIP  in  the  middle  of  Covent 
Garden. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  120.  Pluto's 
SKIPKENJJELS  are  not  so  insolent  as  yours 
are. 

1721.  AMHURST,  Terra  Fillius.  No. 
Z.  Every  scullion  and  SKIPKENNEL  had 
liberty  to  tell  his  master  his  own. 

1729.  SWIFT,  Directions  to  Servants, 
'  Footman.'  My  lady's  waiting- woman 
.  .  .  apt  to  call  you  SKIP-KENNEL. 

1839.  LEVER,  Harry  Lorrequer,  xi. 
Conducting  himself  in  all  respects  ...  as 
his  .  .  .  own  man,  SKIP,  valet,  or  flunkey. 

1842.  Tait's  Mag.,  Oct.,  '  Rem. 
College  Life.'  The  SKIP,  or  according  to 
the  Oxford  etymology,  'the  man  vulture,' 
is  not  fit  for  his  calling  who  cannot  time 
his  business  so  as  to  be  present  simul- 
taneously at  several  places. 

1845.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis,  xx. 
His  wounded  tutor,  his  many  duns,  the 
SKIP  and  bedmaker  who  waited  on  him. 

Verb,  (common). — i.  To  de- 
camp :  see  BUNK.  Also  TO  SKIP 
OUT  (or  OFF),  and  TO  DO  A  SKIP. 

1872.  CLEMENS,  Roughing  It,  ix. 
The  Indian  had  SKIPPED  around  so's  to 
spile  everything. 

1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,    19   Dec. 
I  knew  he  was  getting  ready  to  SKIP  OUT 
OF  town  the  moment  he  saw  the  jig  was  up. 

1889.  Ally   Sloper,   29    June.     This 
base  myrmidon  of  the  law  endeavoured  to 
execute  his  task  just  as  Andrew  was  about 
to  lead  a  second  bouncing  bride  to  the 
altar.     But  Andrew  espied  him  and  quietly 
SKIPPED. 


Skip-brain. 


232 


Skipper. 


1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack-Room  Bal- 
lads, '  Gunga  Din.'  With  'is  mussick  on 
'is  back,  'E  would  SKIP  with  our  attack. 

1895.  POCOCK,  Rules  of  the  Game, 
II.  10.  If  I  had  known  of  this  warrant,  I'd 
have  gone  on  my  knees  and  implored  him 
for  your  dear  sake  not  to  SKIP  the  train. 

2.  (common).  —  To    die :     see 
HOP  THE  TWIG. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  xv. 
The  dark  pool  of  blood  .  .  .  told  its  awful 
story  .  .  .  SKIPPED  OUT  .  .  .  game  to  the 
last,  and  never  flinched. 

3.  (common). — To  read  hastily, 
picking  out    passages   here    and 
there.     Hence  4  (University),  to 
shirk  work.     Also  SKIPPER  =  a 
hasty  reader ;  and  SKIPPABLE= 
easily  and  quickly  read. 

1884.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  2%  Feb.  Two 
classes  of  readers,  however,  may  get  not  a 
little  that  is  interesting  out  of  this  book — 
the  pachydermatous  plodder  and  the 
judicious  SKIPPER. 

SKIP-BRAIN,  adj.  (old). — Flighty; 
volatile ;  fickle. 

1603.  DAVIES,  Microcosmus,  30.  This 
SKIPP-BRAINE  Fancie. 

SKIPJACK,  subs,  (old).—  i.  A  horse- 
dealer's  jockey  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

1568.  FULWEL,  Like  will  to  Like 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  565.  Here  we 
see  knave  of  clubs,  SKIPJACK,  snip-snap]. 

1608-9.  DEKKER,  Lanthorne  and 
Candlelight,  x.  The  boyes,  striplings, 
&c.,  that  have  the  riding  of  the  jades  up 
and  downe  are  called  SKIP-JACKES. 

2. — A  nobody;  a  trifler  :  also 
SKIPPER. 

1580.  SIDNEY,  Arcadia,  in.  Now 
the  devil,  said  she,  take  these  villains,  that 
can  never  leave  grinning,  because  I  am 
not  so  fair  as  mistress  Mopsa  ;  to  see  how 
this  SKIP- JACK  looks  at  me. 

^.1592.  GREENE,  Atyhonsus,  i.  What, 
know'st  thou,  SKIP-JACK,  whom  thou 
villain  call'st. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Taming  oj 
Shrew,  ii.  t,  341.  SKIPPER,  stand  back ; 
'tis  age  that  nourisheth. 


1611.    COTGRAVE,  Nimbot.  A  dwarfe, 
dandiprat,  little  SKIP-JACKE. 

1670.     COTTON,  Scoffer Scoftt  [Works 
.  !5),    190].      P-    -"    "---    —  '    -" 
SKIPJACK  got. 


(1725),    190].      But    till    thou    hadst  this 
>-J; 


SKIPPER,  subs.  (Old  Cant).  —  i.  A 
barn  (AWDELEY,  HARMAN,  ROW- 
LANDS, HEAD,  B.  E.,  and 
GROSE).  Whence  as  verb,  (or  TO 
SKIPPER  IT)  =  to  sleep  in  the 
straw  or  in  HEDGE  SQUARE 
(q.v.)',  SKIPPER-BIRD  =  a  barn- 
rooster  or  hedge-tramp. 

1652.    BROOME,  Jovial  Crew,  ii.  Now 
let  each  tripper   Make  a  retreat  into  the 


1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab.,\\. 
83.  When  I  get  down  I  go  to  sleep  for  a 
couple  of  hours.  I  SKIPPER  IT—  turn  in 
under  a  hedge  or  anywhere.  Ibid.,  i.  336. 
Here  is  the  best  places  in  England  for 
SKIPPER-BIRDS  (parties  that  never  go  to 
lodging-houses,  but  to  barns  or  outhouses, 
sometimes  without  a  blanket)  .  .  .  '  Key- 
hole whistlers,'  the  SKIPPER-BIRDS  are 
sometimes  called. 

2.  (common).  —  The  Devil.  For 
SYNONYMS  see  BLACK  SPY. 

3.  (B.    E.    and  GROSE  :    still 
colloquial).  —  '  A    Dutch    Master 
of  a  Ship  or  Vessell  '  ;  in  modern 
use  any  ship's  captain  ;  and  (4)  a 
leader  or  chief  in  any  enterprise, 
adventure,   or   business.     Hence 
5.  (general)  a  master,  BOSS  (^.z>.)> 
GOVERNOR  (q.V.). 

1485-1500.  GARDNER,  Letters  of 
Rich.  HI.  and  Hen.  VII.  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,  \.  352.  There  is  the  SKIPPAR 
of  a  ship,  and  the  Northern  form  raid}. 
Ibid.  341  (1509).  [James  IV.  speaks  of  a 
crew  as  including]  Master,  2  factours, 
SKIPPAR,  sterisman. 

1600.  DECKER,  Show.  Holiday  [GRO- 
SART,  Wks.  (1873),  i.  30].  Do  you  remem- 
ber the  shippe  my  fellow  Hans  told  you  of, 
the  SKIPPER  and  he  are  both  drinking  at 
the  Swan  ? 

1636.  SUCKLING,  Goblins,  iv.  With 
as  much  ease  as  a  SKIPPER  Would  laver 
against  the  wind. 


Skippers-daughter.        233 


Skit. 


1699.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  the  World, 
iii.  15.  Mrs.  Mar.  No  doubt  you  will 
return  very  much  improv'd.  Witw.  Yes, 
refined  like  a  Dutch  SKIPPER  from  a  whale 
fishing. 

1710.  GAY,  Wine  [Wks.  (1811X351]. 
Chase  brutal  feuds  of  Belgian  SKIPPERS 
hence. 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Per.  Pickle,  xxxiv. 
By  the  SKIPPER'S  advice  the  servants 
[carried]  wine  and  provision  on  board. 

1854.  WHVTE  MELVILLE,  General 
Bounce,  iv.  The  young  SKIPPER  exultingly 
stamped  his  foot  on  a  deck  he  could  really 
call  his  own. 

a?.  1 882.  LONGFELLOW,  Wreck  of  Hes- 
perus. And  the  SKIPPER  had  taken  his 
little  daughter  To  bear  him  company. 

6.  (American).  —  The  cheese- 
hopper  :  hence  SKIPPERY  =  full 
of  mites. 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons,  n.  258.  The 
earth  appears  as  animated  as  a  plate  of 
SKIPPERY  cheese. 

See  SKIP  and  SKIPJACK. 

SKIPPER'S-DAUGHTER,  subs.  phr. 
(common). — A  crested  wave  ;  a 
WHITE-CAP  (or  HORSE). 

<s?.i894.  STEVENSON,  Education  of  an 
Engineer.  The  swell  ran  pretty  high, 
and  out  in  the  open  there  were  SKIPPER'S 

DAUGHTERS. 


SKIPPING,  adj.  (SHAKESPEARE). — 
Light,  giddy,  volatile. 

1594.  SHAKSPEARE,  Love's  Laboar 
Lost,  v.  2,  771.  All  wanton  as  a  child, 
SKIPPING  and  vain.  Ibid.  (1598),  Merchant 
of  Venice,  ii.  2,  196.  Allay  with  some 
cold  drops  of  modesty  Thy  SKIPPING 
spirit.  Ibid.  (1602),  Twelfth  Night,  \.  5. 
'Tis  not  that  time  of  moon  with  me  to 
make  one  in  so  SKIPPING  a  dialogue. 

SKIRRY,  subs.  (old). — A  run:  also 
as  verb.  —  to  scurry  (PARKER, 
1781). 

1821.  HAGGART,  Life,  36.  He  went 
into  an  entry  as  I  SKIRRY'D  past  him. 
Ibid.,  37.  The  SKIRRY  became  general. 


SKIRT,  subs,  (common). — In  //.  = 
women  (generic).  Hence  (venery) 
TO  SKIRT  (or  FLUTTER  A  SKIRT) 
=  to  walk  the  streets ;  to  DO  A 
BIT  OF  SKIRT  =  to  copulate  :  see 
RIDE  and  cf.  PLACKET,  PETTI- 
COAT, MUSLIN,  &c. 

1899.  HYNE,  Fur.  Adv.  Capt. 
Kettle,  xii.  If  ...  you  rats  of  men 
shove  your  way  down  here  .  .  .  before  all 
THE  SKIRT  is  ferried  across,  you'll  get 
knocked  on  the  head, 

To  SIT  UPON  ONE'S  SKIRTS, 
verb.  phr.  (old). — To  pursue. 

I525-37-  ELLIS,  Original  Letters,  i. 
iii.  She  will  SIT  UPON  MY  SKYRTES. 

1620.  Idle  Hours  [HALLIWELL]. 
Cross  me  not,  Liza,  nether  be  so  perte,  For 
if  thou  dost,  I'll  SIT  UPON  THY  SKIRTE. 

1650.  HOWELL,  Familiar  Letters. 
Touching  the  said  archbishop,  he  had  not 
stood  neutrall  as  was  promised,  therefore 
he  had  justly  SET  ON  HIS  SKIRTS. 

SKIRTER,  subs,  (hunting). — i.  See 
quot ;  whence  (2)  a  hunter  who 
does  not  ride  straight  to  hounds, 
but  make  short  cuts  :  cf. 
SHIRKER. 

1870.  MAINE,  Ency.  Rural  Sports, 
386.  A  hound  that  has  a  habit  of  running 
wide  of  the  pack  is  called  a  SKIRTER. 

^.1875.  KINGSLEY,  Go  Hark!  Leave 
cravens  and  SKIRTERS  to  dangle  behind. 

SKIRT- FOIST,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
general  amorist  ;  a  POACHER 
(q.v.). 

^.1652.  WILSON,  Inconstant  Lady 
[NARES].  I  think  there  is  small  good  in- 
tended, that  Emilia  did  prefer  him.  I  do 
not  like  that  SKIRT-FOIST. 


SKIT,  subs.  (GROSE). — i.  A  jest,  a 
satire  :  also  as  verb.  (GROSE)  = 
'to  wheedle.' 

1779.  MRS.  COWLEY,  Who's  the 
Dupe  ?  ii.  2.  Come,  come,  none  of  your 
tricks  upon  travellers.  I  know  you  mean 
all  that  as  a  SKIT  upon  my  edication. 


Skitter-brain. 


234 


Skulker. 


1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxxii. 
But  if  he  really  shot  young  Hazlewood — 
But  I  canna  think  it,  Mr.  Glossin  ;  this 
will  be  some  o'  yonr  SKITS*  now — I  conna 
think  it  o'  sae  douce  a  lad  ; — na,  na,  this 
is  just  some  o'  your  auld  SKITS — ye'll  be 
for  having  a  horning  or  a  caption  after 
him.  [*Tricks.J 

1884.  Graphic,    20    Sept.,    299,    i. 
When  will  be  produced  the  new  Gilbert- 
Sullivan  opera,  which  is  reported  to  be  a 
SKIT  on  "Thought-reading." 

1885.  D.  News,   28  Sep.     Of   these 
many  are  SKITS  at  the  expense  of  that  un- 
failing   object    of    Thackeray's    love    of 
banter. 

2.  subs.  (old). — A  wanton  :  see 
TART. 

1583.  HOWARD,  Def,  agst.  Superst. 
Prophesies,  [Herod]  at  the  request  of  a 
dancing  SKIT  stroke  off  the  head  of  St. 
John  the  Baptist. 

SKITTER-BRAIN  (or  -WIT),  subs. 
(common). — A  flighty  person. 
Also  SKITTERBRAINED,  &c. 

SKITTING-DEALER,  subs.  phr.  (Old 
Cant). — A  sham  dumby. 

SKITTLES,  intj.   (common). — Non- 


Other  COLLOQUIALISMS  are — 

ALL      BEER       AND      SKITTLES  = 

Everything  easy  or  to  one's 
liking;  ALL  UP,  AS  SKITTLES 
WHEN  DOWN  =  a  difficulty,  some- 
thing to  tackle  or  do  again. 

1864.  Orchestra,  12  Nov.,  106.  'To 
Correspondents.'  Se  faire  applaudir  is 
not  "  to  make  onesself  applauded,"  and 
"joyous  comedian"  is  simply  SKITTLES. 

1886.  KIPLING,  Departmental  Dit- 
ties, 'Padgate,  M.P.'  'Where  is  your 
heat?  '  said  he.  '  Coming,'  said  I  to  Pad- 
gate.  'SKITTLES  ! '  said  Padgate,  M.P. 

1889.  Lie.     Viet.     Gaz.,     8      Feb. 
Plunging     was     NOT     ALL    BEER    AND 
SKITTLES,  as  the  Viscount  had  playfully 
and  elegantly  observed  when  a  special  pot 
had  boiled  over. 

1890.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  4  Nov.,  3,  i. 
It  would  present  a  useful  object  lesson  to 
those  who  think  that  the  artist's  life  is  ALL 

BEER  AND  SKITTLES. 


1900.  BOOTHBY,  Maker  of  Nations, 
v.  SKITTLES  it  would  have  been  and  of 
the  most  desperate  description  ...  I  can 
tell  you  I  was  just  about  played  out. 

SKIV  (or  Sciv),  subs,  (common).  — 
A  sovereign  ;  2O/-  :  see  RHINO. 

1870.  London  Figaro,  19  Dec.  '  A 
Swell  on  Stalls."  I  am  anxious  to  pay 
more  ;  indeed,  what  do  I  want  with 
change?  Assure  you  I  should  much 
prefer  to  pay  HALF-A-SKIV,  or  even  a 
'sov."  for  my  seat. 

1887.  PAYN,  Glow  Worm  Tales,  246. 
Please  to  send  me  the  SKIV  by  return,  for 
I  sadly  want  some  comfort. 

SKOWBANKER,  subs.    (Australian). 

—  A  loafer  ;    a  hanger-on  :   also 

SHOWBANKER. 

SKOWER.     See  SCOURE. 

SKRIMP  (or  SKRUMP),  verb,  (pro- 
vincial). —  To  steal  apples. 

SKRIMSHANKER,   subs,    (military). 

—  See   SCRIMSHANKER  and  add 
quots.  infra. 

1890.  Tit-  Bits,.  26  Ap.,  35,  i.  Of 
course,  besides  the  dread  of  being  con- 
sidered a  SKRIMSHANKER,  a  soldier  dislikes 
the  necessary  restraints  of  a  hospital. 

1893.  KIPLING,  Many  Inventions, 
'  His  Private  Honour.'  If  Mulvaney  stops 
SCRIMSHANKIN'—  gets  out  o'  .  .  .  'orspital 
...  I  lay  your  lives  will  be  trouble  to  you. 

SKRUNT,  subs.  (Scots').  —  A  prosti- 
tute :  see  TART. 

SKUE,  subs.  (old).  —  See  quot. 

1598. 


Codurza,  the  rump  or  SKUE  of  a  bird. 

SKUG.     See  SCUG. 

SKULKER,  subs.  (GROSE)  —  'A  sol- 
dier who  .  .  .  evades  his  duty  ; 
a  sailor  who  keeps  below  in  time 
of  danger  ;  one  who  keeps  out  of 
the  way  when  work  is  to  be  done. 
To  SKULK,  to  hide  oneself;  to 
avoid  labour  or  duty.' 


Skull 


235 


Sky. 


SKULL,  subs.  (University).—  I.  The 
head  of  a  college  :  see  GOLGOTHA  ; 
whence  SKULL-RACE  =  a  univer- 
sity examination.  2.  (American) 
=  any  chief,  as  the  President,  the 
head  of  a  business,  the  captain  of 
a  vessel,  &c. 

MY  SKULL'S  AFLY,/^.  (old). 

—  AWAKE  (g.v.}  ;  FLY  (q.v.) 

SKULL  AND  CROSSBONES  (THE), 

subs.  phr.  (military).—  The  iyth 
(The  Duke  of  Cambridge's  Own) 
Lancers.  [The  Regimental 
Badge.]  Also  "  The  Death  or 
Glory  Boys  "  ;  "  Bingham's  Dan- 
dies" ;  "The  Gentlemen  Dra- 
goons"; and  "The  Horse  Ma- 
rines." 

SKULLDUGGERY.    See  SCULLDUD- 

DERY. 

SKULL-THATCHER,  subs.  phr.  (old). 

—  i.    A     straw-bonnet    maker  ; 
hence   (2)  a  hatter;    and   (3)   a 
wig-maker.      SKULL-THATCH  =  a 
hat  or  wig. 

1863.  BRADDON,  Aurora  Floyd,  xxiv. 
'  I'll  find  my  SKULL-THATCHER  it  I  can,' 
said  Captain  Prodder,  groping  for  his  hat 
amongst  the  brambles  and  the  long  grass. 

SKUNGLE,  verb.  (American).  —  A 
generic  verb  of  action  :  to  decamp, 
to  steal  a  watch,  to  gobble  up 
food,  &c.  :  cf.  SKYUGLE. 

SKUNK,  subs.  (American).  —  I.  A 
mean,  paltry  wretch  ;  a  STINKARD 


1841.  The  Kinsmen,  i.  171.  He's  a 
SKUNK  —  a  bad  chap  about  the  heart. 

1876.  BRET  HARTE,  Gabriel  Conroy, 
I.  i.  i.  14.  Ain't  my  husband  dead,  and 
isn't  that  SKUNK  —  an  entire  stranger  —  still 
livin'  ? 

1884.  Referee,  i  June,  7,  3.  The 
bloodthirsty  and  cowardly  SKUNKS,  who 
rob  servant  girls  in  America  of  their  money 
in  order  to  blow  servant  girls  in  London  to 
pieces. 


2.  (American).     Utter  defeat : 
as  verb.  —  to  disgrace  :  cf.  SLAM. 

1848.  DURIVAGE,  Stray  Subjects,  135. 
In  the  second  hand  of  the  third  game,  I 
made  high,  low,  game,  and  SKUNKED  him, 
outright  again. 

Verb.  2.  (American  Univ.). — 
To  neglect  to  pay. 

SKY  (or  SKI),  subs.  (Westminster). 
— i.  See  quot.  [An  abbreviation 
or  corruption  of  Volsci :  the 
Westminster  boys  being  Romans.] 

1867.  STANLEY,  Westminster  Alley, 
453.  Conflicts  between  Westminster 
scholars  and  the  SKYS  of  London,  as  the 
outside  world  was  called. 

2.  See  SKYROCKET. 

Verb,  (common). — i.  To  hang, 
throw,  or  hit  high  (e.g.,  a  picture 
at  the  Royal  Academy :  whence 
THE  SKY  =  the  upper  rows  of  ex- 
hibitors ;  a  ball  at  cricket :  hence 
SKYER,  or  SKYSCRAPER  =  a  high 
hit).  Whence  (2)  to  spend  freely 

till    all's    BLUED   (q.V.\      TO  SKY 

A  COPPER  =  to  spin  a  coin. 

1802.  EDGEWORTH,  Irish  Bulls. 
'  Billy,'  says  I,  '  will  you  SKY  A  COPPER.' 

t8[?].  REYNOLDS,  The  Fancy,  Glos- 
sary. Toss  for  sides — the  seconds  SKY  A 
COPPER,  before  every  battle,  to  decide 
which  man  shall  face  the  sun. 

1874.  COLLINS,  Frances,  xxvii.  The 
ball  had  been  struck  high  in  air,  and  long- 
field  had  almost  flown  into  air  to  meet  it, 
catching  it  as  it  came  down  like  a  thunder- 
bolt with  his  left  hand  only,  and  SKYING  it 
at  once  with  triumphant  delight. 

1881.  JAS.  PAYN,  Grapes  from  a 
Thorn,  ii.  His  pictures  of  the  abbey 
having  been  SKIED  in  the  Academy  .  .  . 
made  his  humour  a  little  tart  that  year. 

1884.  Sat.  Rev.,  31  May.     The  high 
wind  made  SKYERS  difficult  to  judge. 

1885.  SMART,  Post  to  Finish,  134. 
Two  or  three  more  slashing  hits,  and  then 
the  Rector  SKYED  one  which  his  opponents 
promptly  secured. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  40. 
With  the  takings  safely  SKYED. 


Sky-blue. 


236 


Skylark. 


1889.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  23  Sept.,  2,  i. 
"  Lost  ball  !  "  was  cried  .  .  .  When,  over- 
head, supremely  SKIED,  I  saw  that  awful 
ball  descending. 

1890.  Globe,   7   May,   6,    i.     It  was 
SKIED  at  the  Royal  Academy  last  year. 

2.  (Harrow). — i.  To  charge, 
or  knock  down  :  at  football.  Also 
(2)  to  throw  away. 

IF  THE  SKY  FALLS  WE  SHALL 
CATCH  LARKS  =  a  retort  to  a  wild 
hypothesis  :  cf.  'if  pigs  had  wings 
they'd  be  likely  birds  to  fly.' 

1654.  WEBSTER,  Appius  and  Vir- 
ginia [DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  iv. 

124].      If  hap  THE  SKY-FALL,  WE  MAY  hap 
tO  HAVE  LARKS. 

SKY-BLUE,  subs.phr.  (old). — i.  Gin 
(GROSE). 

1755.  Connoisseur,  No.  53.  Madam 
Gin  has  been  christened  by  as  many  names 
as  a  German  princess  :  every  petty 
chandler's  shop  will  sell  you  SKY-BLUE. 

2.  (common).  —  Diluted  or 
'  separated '  milk. 

1800.  BLOOMFIELD,  Farmer's  Boy. 
And  strangers  tell  of  three  times  skimmed 

SKY-BLUE. 

^.1845.  HOOD,  Retrospective  Review. 
That  mild  SKY-BLUE,  That  washed  my 
sweet  meals  down. 

1864.  SALA,  Quite  Alone,  xv.  Cake 
and  wine  existed  no  more  in  her  allure  ; 
she  was  suggestive  only  of  bread  and 
scrape  and  SKY-BLUE. 

SKY-FARMER,  subs.  phr.   (old). — 
See  quot.  :  GROSE  (1785). 

1754.  Disc.  John  Poulter,  39.  SKY- 
FARMERS  are  People  that  go  about  the 
country  with  a  false  pass,  signed  by  the 
Church  Wardens  and  Overseers  of  the 
Parish  or  Place  that  they  lived  in,  and 
some  Justice  of  the  Peace,  but  the  Names 
are  all  forged  ;  in  this  manner  they  extort 
money,  under  pretence  of  sustaining  Loss 
by  Fire,  or  the  Distemper  amongst  the 
horned  Cattle. 


SKYGAZER,    subs,    (nautical).  —  A 
skysail. 


SKY-GODLIN,   adv.   (American).  — 
Obliquely ;  askew. 

1869.     Overland    Monthly ;    iv.    128. 
He  will  run  SKY-GODLIN. 


SKY-LANTERN,  subs.  phr.  (old).— 
The  moon  :  see  OLIVER. 

1843.  MONCRIEFF,  Scamps  of  Lon- 
don, i.  2.  You  won't  want  a  light — you 
can  see  by  the  SKY-LANTERN  up  above. 

SKYLARK,  subs,  (common). — Ori- 
ginally tricks  in  the  rigging  of 
H.  M.  Navy ;  hence  any  rough- 
and-tumble  horseplay.  As  verb. 
—  to  frolic,  to  play  the  fool ; 
SKYLARKING  =  boisterous  merri- 
ment or  fooling ;  and  SKYLARKER 
=  a  practical  joker. 

1829.  MARRY  AT,  Frank  Mildmay, 
iv.  I  had  become  ...  so  fond  of  dis- 
playing my  newly  acquired  gymnastics, 
called  by  the  sailors  SKY-LARKING,  that  my 
speedy  exit  was  often  prognosticated. 
Ibid.  (1834),  Peter  Simple  (1846),  i.  62. 
There  was  such  bawling  and  threatening, 
laughing  and  crying  ...  all  squabbling 
or  SKYLARKING,  and  many  of  them  drunk. 

1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  xvii. 
We  .  .  .  ran  her  chock  up  to  the  yard. 
1  Vast  there  !  vast ! '  said  the  mate  ;  '  none 

of  your  SKYLARKING  ! 

1836.  M.  SCOTT,  Cruise  of  Midge, 
1 88.     Come  on  deck,  man — come  on  deck 
— this  is  no  time  for  SKYLARKING.    Ibid. 
(1852),     Tom    Cringle's   Log,    iii.      '  It's 
that    SKY-LARKING    son    of  a  gun,    Jem 
Sparkle's  monkey,  sir.' 

_  1855.     C.  KINGSLEY,    West-ward  Ho, 
xviii.     Lucky   for    them  .  .  .  they    were 

not  SKYLARKING. 

1858.  New  York  Courier.  'Elec- 
tion.' There  was  a  considerable  amount 
of  SKYLARKING  carried  on  from  sunset 
until  midnight  in  the  halls  and  passages  of 
the  building,  hats  were  smashed,  and 
members  tumbled  on  the  floor. 

1863.  KINGSLEY,  Austin  Elliot,  iv. 
When  his  father  wouldn't  stand  him  any 
longer,  he  used  to  go  out  and  SKYLARK 
with  the  clerks. 


Skylarker. 


237 


Skyscraper. 


1871.  Morning  Advertizer,  2  Feb. 
Give  warning  of  what  is  going  on  to  *'  all 
husbands  who  SKYLARK  around." ^  The 
precise  nature  of  the  diversion,  indicated 
by  SKYLARKING  AROUND,  is  a  little  foggy  ; 
but,  taken  in  conjunction  with  the  con- 
text, it  is  clearly  not  inconsistent  with 
staying  from  home  until  the  small  hours. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Robbery  under 
Arms,  xxiv.  Talking  and  SKYLARKING, 
like  a  lot  of  boys. 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  7. 
If  yer  don't  find  it  a  'Oliday  SKYLARK,  wy, 
never  trust  'Arry. 

SKYLARKER,  subs,  (old  thieves'). — 
A  housebreaker  following  brick- 
laying as  a  blind. 

2.  See  SKYLARK. 

SKYLIGHT,  subs,  (nautical). — The 
eye. 

1836.  SCOTT,  Tom  Cringle' s^  Log, 
iii.  After  a  long  look  through  his  star- 
board blinker  (his  other  SKYLIGHT  had 
been  shut  up  ever  since  Aboukir)  .  .  . 

SKY-PARLOUR,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).—A  garret  (GROSE). 

1807-8.  IRVING,  Salmagundi,  No.  ii. 
I  beg  leave  to  repeat  the  advice  so  often 
given  by  the  illustrious  tenants  of  the 
theatrical  SKY-PARLOUR  to  the  gentlemen 
who  are  charged  with  the  "  nice  conduct " 
of  chairs  and  tables — "  Make  a  bow, 
Johnny.  Johnny,  make  a  bow." 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  u.  v. 
Bob  .  .  .  proposed  to  see  the  author  safe 

to  his  SKY  PARLOUR. 

1836.  DICKENS,  Sketches  by  Boz, 
1  First  of  May. '  Now  ladies,  up  in  the 
SKY-PARLOUR  ',  only  once  a  year,  if  you 
please.  Ibid.  (1855),  Dorrit,  i.  viii.  She 
has  a  lodging  at  the  turnkey's.  First 
home  there  .  .  .  SKY  PARLOUR. 

1847.  RHODES,  Bombastes  Furioso, 
15.  My  PARLOUR  that's  NEXT  TO  THE 
SKY  I'd  quit,  her  blest  mansion  to  share. 

1883.  DOBSON,  Hogarth,  43.  The 
poor  verseman,  high  in  his  Grub-Street  or 
"  Porridge-Island  "  SKY-PARLOUR. 

1891.  Herald,  31  May,  3,  i.  SKY- 
PARLOURS  may  be  very  well,  but  I'm 
certain  there  is  something  wrong  with  my 
friend's  "  upper  story." 


1895.  LE  QUEUX,  Temptress,  iii. 
The  necessaries  of  life  which  she  would 
convey  to  his  SKY  PARLOUR. 

SKY- PI  LOT,  subs. phr. (common). — A 
clergyman  :  see  BIBLE-POUNDER. 

1889.  Sporting  Times,  29  June.  The 
SKY  PILOT,  having  regard  to  muttered 
remarks  which  might  be  heard  emanating 
from  the  Englishman,  gave  his  professional 
opinion  that  his  service  was  anything 
divine. 

1895.  LE  QUEUX,  Temptress,  ix. 
Have  you  seen  the  SKY  PILOT? 

SKYROCKET,  subs,  (rhyming).— i.  A 
pocket :  also  SKY. 

1879.  J.  W.  HORSLEY  in  Macm. 
Mag. ,  xl.  502.  A  slavey  piped  [saw]  the 
spoons  sticking  out  of  my  SKYROCKET 
[pocket]. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xiv.  See 
everything  is  bono,  and  keep  the  split  in 
your  SKYROCKET.  Ibid.,  xx.  I'd  two 
bob  in  my  SKY,  so  paid  three  night's  letty. 

1898.  Pink  'Un  and  Pelican,  237. 
After  thirty-six  'ands  'ad  bin  all  over  him, 
— why,  even  then  we  never  found  his  SKY. 

2.  (old). — Eccentricity. 

1690.  DRYDEN,  Mistakes,  Prol. 
[Works  (Globe),  473].  He's  no  highflyer 
—he  makes  no  SKYROCKETS.  His  squibs 
are  only  levelled  at  your  pockets. 

SKYSCRAPER,  subs,  (common). — 
Generic  for  height :  e.g.  (i)  a 
very  tall  man ;  (2)  a  very  lofty 
building  :  spec.  (American)  erec- 
tions sometimes  twenty  stories 
high ;  (3)  a  triangular  sail  set 
above  the  royals,  a  sky-sail,  SKY- 
GAZER,  or  ANGEL'S  FOOTSTOOL 
(g.v.);  and  (4)  a  SKIED  ball. 
Hence  SKYSCRAPING  and  other 
derivatives. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  v. 
Run  out  the  bolt-sprit,  up  main-sail,  top 
and  top-gallant  sails,  royals,  and  SKY- 
SCRAPERS, and  away — follow  who  can  ! 

1893.  MILLIKEN,  'Arry  Ballads,  47. 
It's  a  bloominger  SKY-SCRAPING  Topper. 


Skypper. 


238 


Slack. 


1902.  Free  Lance,  19  July,  364,  i. 
Unsightly  blocks  of  SKY-SCRAPING  build- 
ings ;  vulgar  self-advertisement,  loudness, 
and  beef  Trusts,  bluff  and  billionaires. 

5.  (old    nautical).  —  A  cocked 
hat. 

6.  (venery).  —  The   penis:    see 
PRICK  and  cf.  HEAVEN  =  female 
pudendum. 

SKYPPER.     See   SKIPPER,    subs., 
sense  i. 

SKYTE,    subs.    (Shrewsbury).  —  See 
quot.  :  cf.   Scots'  SKYTE  =  fool. 

1881.  PASCOE,  Every-Day  Life,  &>c. 
Day  boys  .  .  .  live  or  lodge  in  the  town  ; 
and  the  designati 
applied  to  them. 


and  the  designation  of  SKYTES  was  formerly 
them 


Verb,  (old).—  i.  SKITE  (?.z>.)  ; 
and  (2)  SQUITTER  (q.v.). 

ON  THE  SKYTE,  phr.  (Scots'). 
—  Drunk  :  see  SCREWED. 

1872.  Paston  Letters,  i.  85.     Robert 
Weryngton  to  Thomas  Daniel,  May,  1449. 
And  there  I  came  about  the  Admirale,  and 
bade  them  stryke  in  the  Kyngys  name  of 
England,  and  they  bade  me  SKYTE  in  the 
Kyngs  name  of  England. 

SKYUGLE,  verb.   (American).  —  See 
quots. 

1873.  Tribune,  27  Jan.     Not  know- 
ing   exactly   what    it    is    to    SKYUGLE  a 
message,  we  cannot  say  whether  our  re- 
porter was  guilty  of  that  offence  or  not  ; 
but  we  have  no  hesitation  in  admitting 
that  he  procured  a  copy  of  the  message  in 
advance,  and  that  our  reporters  do  such 
things  almost  every  day. 

1880.  COLLINS,  Thoughts  in  my 
Garden,  i.  49.  The  scoundrels  SKYUGLED 
one  excellent  old  gentleman's  choice  plate. 

1864.  Army  and  Navy  Journal 
(American),  1  1  July.  A  corps  staff  officer 
informed  me  that  he  had  been  out  on  a 
general  SCYUGLE  ;  that  he  had  SCYUGLED 
along  the  front,  when  the  rebels  SCYUGLED 
a  bullet  through  his  clothes  ;  that  he 
should  SCYUGLE  his  servant  ;  who,  by  the 
way,  had  SCYUGLED  three  fat  chickens  ; 
that  after  he  had  SCYUGLED  his  dinner,  he 
proposed  to  SCYUGLE  a  nap. 


SKY-  WANNOCKING,  subs.  phr. 
(common).  —  A  drunken  frolic. 

SLAB,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A  milestone 
(BEE). 

2.  (provincial).—  A  bricklayer's 
boy  (HALLIWELL). 

3.  (common).  —  A  thick  slice  of 
bread  and  butter  :  cf.  DOORSTEP. 

4.  (Durham  School).  —  In  //. 
=  a  flat  cake. 

To  SLAB  OFF,  verb.  phr.  (Ame- 
rican). —  To  reject  [BARTLETT]. 

1835.  CROCKETT,  Tour  Down  East, 
212.  You  must  take  notice  that  I  am 
SLABB'D  OFF  from  the  election,  and  am 
nothing  but  a  voter. 

SLABBERING-BIT,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
—  A  neck-band  :  clerical  or  legal 
(GROSE). 

SLABBERDEGULLION.      See    SLUB- 

BERDEGULLION. 

SLAB-SIDED,  adj.  (colloquial).  — 
Tall  ;  lank  ;  *  up  and  down  '  in 
figure  :  also  SLAP-SIDED. 

1825.  NEAL,  Brother  Jonathan,  ii. 
Great,  long,  SLAB-SIDED  gawkeys  from  the 
country. 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons,  n.  200.  I  like 
to  see  a  small  waist  .  .  .  and  females  with 
hour-glass  shapes  suit  my  fancy  better 
than  your  Dutch-churn,  soap-barrel,  SLAB- 
SIDED  sort  of  figures. 

1856.  LELAND,  New  Sloper  Sketches 
{Knickerbocker  Mag.,  Mar.].  The  real 
SLAB-SIDED  whittler  is  indigenous  to  Var- 
mount  and  New  Hampshire. 

1859.  KINGSLEY,  Geoffrey  Hamlyn, 
353.  One  of  those  long-legged,  SLAB- 
SIDED,  lean,  sunburned,  cabbage-tree 
hatted  lads. 

<f.i8oi.  LOWELL,  Fitz-Adam's  Story. 
You  didn't  chance  to  run  ag'inst  my  son, 
A  long  SLAB-SIDED  youngster  with  a  gun? 


SLACK,  subs,  (common).  —  In  //.  = 
overall  trousers. 


Slack-jaw. 


239 


Slaney. 


1883.  GREENWOOD,  Odd  People. 
Unwashed,  and  in  their  working  SLACKS 
and  guernseys. 

2.  (pugilistic). — A  smashing  or 
knock-down  blow.     [Jack  Slack, 
champion    1750-60,    was    known 
for  his  powerful  delivery].    Also 
SLACK-'UN  :     cf.     AUCTIONEER 
and  MENDOZA. 

3.  (colloquial). — A  slack  time. 

1851-61.  MAVHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  in. 
237.  When  there  is  a  SLACK  the  mer- 
chants are  all  anxious  to  get  their  vessels 
delivered  as  fast  as  they  can. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown  at 
Oxford,  ii.  xxi.  Though  there's  a  SLACK 
we  haven't  done  with  sharp  work  yet,  I 
see. 

Verb,  (common).  —  To  PISS 
(g.v.) :  also  TO  SLACK  OFF. 

TO  HOLD  ON  THE  SLACK,  verb. 

phr.    (nautical). — To  skulk  :    to 
loaf. 

SLACK-JAW,  subs.  phr.  (American). 
— Impertinence. 

1883.  Century  Mag.,  xxxvii.  407.  I 
mought  do  it  fur  you,  bein'  as  how  ye  got 
so  much  SLACK-JAW. 

SLAG,  subs.  (old).  —  « A  slack- 
mettled  fellow,  one  not  ready  to 
resent  an  affront'  (GROSE). 

SLAKE,  verb,  (provincial).  —  See 
quot. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Archaic  Words, 
&°c.,  s.v.  SLAKE  ...  3.  To  lick  .  .  . 
vulgarly  used  in  the  sense  ...  of  to  kiss. 

SLAM,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A  trick 
(GROSE). 

2.  (cards'). — At  whist  a  game 
lost  without  scoring  :  also  as  verb. 
=  to  take  every  trick  :  cf.  SKUNK 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

[?].  Loyal  Songs  [Ency.  Diet.}. 
Until  a  noble  general  came  And  gave  the 
cheaters  a  clean  SLAM. 


3.  (old).  —  A  sloven  :  also 
SLAMKIN  (GROSE  :  '  One  whose 
clothes  seem  hung  on  with  a 
pitchfork');  and  (4)  any  ill-made, 
awkward,  ungainly  wretch. 

1697.  VANBRUGH,  Relapse,  v.  6. 
Hoyd.  I  don't  like  my  lord's  shapes,  nurse. 
Nurse.  Why  in  good  truly,  as  a  body  may 
say,  he  is  but  a  SLAM. 

Verb,  (common). — I.  To  brag; 
spec,  (military)  to  feign  drunken- 
ness and  boast  of  many  drinks : 

cf.   SLUM. 

2.    (strollers').  —  To    PATTER 
(q.  v. )  ;  to  talk  in  the  way  of  trade. 
1884.    HENLEY,  Villon's  Good  Night. 
You  swatchel  coves  that  pitch  and  SLAM. 

SLAM -BANG.     See  SLAP,  adv. 
SLAMKIN  (SLAM MOCKS,  or  SLAM- 

MERKIN),    subs,    (old).— A    SLUT 
(g.v.).     As  verb.  =  to  slouch. 

SLAMMER,  suds,  (colloquial). — 
Anything  exceptional  :  see 
WHOPPER.  Hence  SLAMMING 
(adj.)  =  large,  exceptional. 

SLAMPAM  (SLAMPAINE,  SLAM- 
PAMBES,  or  SLAM  PANT),  subs. 
(old). — A  blow  :  see  WIPE.  To 
CUT  OF  (or  GIVE  THE)  SLAM- 
PAMBES  =  to  circumvent ;  to  get 
the  better  of. 

£.1563.  New  Custome  [DODSLEV,  Old 
Plays  (REED),  i.  230],  I  wyll  CUT  HIM  OF 
THE  SLAMPAMBES,  I  hold  him  a  crowne, 
Wherever  I  meete  him,  in  countrie  or 
towne. 

1 577-87.  HOLINSHED,  Desc.  Ireland, 
iii.  That  one  rascal  in  such  scornefull 
wise  should  GIUE  THEM  THE  SLAMPAINE. 

1582.  STANYHURST,  sEneid  [ARBER], 
116.  Shal  hee  scape  thus?  shal  a  stranger 

GEUE  ME  THE  SLAMPAN? 

SLAMTRASH,  subs,  (provincial).— 
A  sloven  (HALLIWELL). 

SLANEY,  subs,  (thieves').— A 
theatre. 


Slang. 


240 


Slang. 


SLANG,  suds.,  adj.,  and  verb,  (old  : 
now  recognised). — .^TERMINAL 
ESSAY  and  quots.  As  verb.  — 
(i)  to  speak  slang;  and  (2)  to 
scold  or  abuse.  As  adj.  =  ( I )  relat- 
ing to  slang ;  (2)  =  low,  unrefined ; 
and  (3)  =  angry  :  also  SLANGY  and 

SLANGULAR.        SLANGINESS  =  the 

state  of  being  slangy  ;  SLANG- 
BOYS  (or  BOYS  OF  THE  SLANG) 
(see  quot.  1789) ;  SLANGSTER=a 
master  of  FLASH  (q.v.')  ;  SLANG- 
WHANGER  =  a  speaker  addicted  to 
slang :  whence  SLANGWHANGING, 
and  SLANGWHANG,  verb.  =  to 
scold;  SLANGANDER  (American) 
=  to  backbite;  SLANGOOSING 
(American)  =  tittle-tattle,  back- 
biting, esp.  of  women. 

1743.  FIELDING,  Jonathan  Wild, 
'Advice  to  His  Successor.'  The  master 
who  teaches  them  [young  thieves]  should 
be  a  man  well  versed  in  the  cant  language, 
commonly  called  the  SLANG  patter,  in  which 
they  should  by  all  means  excel. 

1761.  FOOTE,  Lyar.  [OLIPHANT, 
Neva  Eng.,  ii.  180.  A  man  begs  "  in  the 
College  cant "  to  tick  a  little  longer  (remain 
in  debt)  ;  this  cant  was  soon  to  make  way 
for  SLANG].  Ibid.  (1762),  Orators,  i. 
Foote.  Have  you  not  seen  the  bills? 
Scamper.  What,  about  the  lectures?  ay, 
but  that's  all  SLANG,  I  suppose,  .  .  .  no, 
no. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
FLASH  LINGO.  The  canting  or  SLANG 
language.  Ibid.,  GILES'.  St.  Giles  Greek, 
the  cant  language,  called  also  SLANG, 
Pedler's  French,  and  Flash. 

1789.  PARKER,  Variegated  Charac- 
ters. SLANG  BOYS,  fellows  who  speak  the 
SLANG  language  which  is  the  same  as  flash 
and  cant. 

1796.  W.  TAYLOR,  Monthly  Rev., 
xx.  543-4.  The  personages  have  mostly  the 
manners  and  language  of  elegant  middle 
life,  removed  alike  from  the  rant  of  tragedy 
or  the  SLANG  of  farce. 

1798.  Anti-Jacobin,  5  Mar.  Stanzas 
.  .  .  conceived  rather  in  the  SLANG  or 
Brentford  dialect. 

1807.  IRVING,  Salmagundi,  No.  14. 
It  embraces  alike  all  manner  of  concerns ; 
...  to  the  personal  disputes  of  two  miser- 
able SLANGWHANGERS,  the  cleaning  of  the 
streets  .  .  .  Ibid.  (1824).  T.  Trav.,  \. 
273.  SLANG  talk  and  cant  jokes. 


t8og.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [Rour- 
LEDGE],  47.  He  [a  doctor]  had  got  into 
reputation  with  the  public  by  a  certain 
professional  SLANG. 

1813.  EDGEWORTH,  Patronage,  iii. 
The  total  want  of  proper  pride  and  dignity 
...  a  certain  SLANG  and  familiarity  of 
tone,  gave  superficial  observers  the  notion 
that  he  was  good-natured. 

1816.  Gentleman's  Mag. ,  Ixxxvi,  418. 
Unwilling  to  be  a  disciple  of  the  stable,  the 
kennel,  and  the  sty,  as  of  the  other  precious 
SLANG,  the  dialect  of  Newgate. 

1817.  COLERIDGE,  Biog.,  n.  xvi.    To 
make  us  laugh  by  ...  SLANG  phrases  of 
the  day. 

1819.  ROBERT      RABELAIS      THE 
YOUNGER,    Abeillard  and  Heloisa,   35. 
For  filthy  talk  and  SLANG  discourse,  They 
every  day  grow  worse  and  worse. 

1820.  Blackwoods  Mag.,  viii.    261. 
Living  on  the  town,  as  it  is  SLANGISHLY 
called. 

1821.  DE  QUINCEY,  Conf.  (1862),  234. 
According  to  the  modern  SLANG  phrase. 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
5.     Flash,  my  young  friend,  or  SLANG,  as 
others  call  it,  is  the  classical  language  of 
the  Holy  Land  ;  in  other  words,  St  Giles's 
Greek. 

1824.  SCOTT,      Redgauntlet,      xiii. 
What  did  actually  reach  his  ears  was  dis- 
guised so  completely  by  the   use  of  cant 
words  and  the  thieves'-Latin  called  SLANG, 
that  even  when  he  caught  the  words,  he 
found  himself  as  far  as  ever  from  the  sense 
of  their  conversation. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  xlix.  We 
rowed,  swore,  SLANGED. 

1830.  KNIGHT,  Tr.  Acharnians,  106. 
Drunk  he  shall  SLANG  with  the  harlots. 

1837.  HOOD,  '  Ode  to  Rae  Wilson.' 
With  tropes  from  Billingsgates'  SLANG- 
WHANGING  Tartars.  Ibid.  (1845),  36.  Tale 
of  a  Trumpet.  The  smallest  urchin  whose 
tongue  could  tang  Shock'd  the  dame  with 
a  volley  of  SLANG. 

1840.  HOOD,  Up  the  Rhine,  62.  In 
spite  of  a  SLANG  air,  a  knowing  look,  and 
the  use  of  certain  insignificant  phrases  that 
are  most  current  in  London  .  .  . 

1845.  N.  Y.  Com.  Advtr.,  10  Oct. 
Part  of  the  customary  SLANG-WHANGING 
against  all  other  nations  which  is  habitual 
to  the  English  press, 


Slang. 


241 


Slang. 


1849.  KINGSLEY,  Alton  Locke,  ii.  Be 
quiet,  you  fool  .  .  .  you're  a  pretty  fellow 
to  chaff  the  orator  ;  he'll  SLANG  you  up  the 
chimney  before  you  get  your  shoes  on. 
Ibid.  vi.  A  tall,  handsome,  conceited, 

SLANGY  boy. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  in. 
350.  To  SLANG  with  the  fishwives. 

1852.  BRISTED,  Up.  Ten  Thousand, 
205.      Here   I   have  been  five  days  .  .  . 
hazing — what    you    call    SLANGING — up- 
holsterers. 

1853.  DICKENS,    Bleak   House,    xi. 
His  strength  lying  in  a  SL ANGULAR  direc- 
tion.    Ibid.  (1865),  Our  Mutual  Priend, 
n.  iv.     Both  were  too  gaudy,  too  SLANGY, 
too  odorous  of  cigars,  and  too  much  given 
to  horseflesh. 

1857.  H.  REED,  Lect.  Brit.  Poets, 
ix.  308.  A  freedom  and  coarseness  of 
diction  denominated  SLANG,  a  word  be- 
longing to  the  very  vocabulary  it  denotes. 

1872.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch,  xi.  All 
choice  of  words  is  SLANG.  .  .  .  Correct 
English  is  the  SLANG  of  prigs  who  write 
history  and  essays.  And  the  strongest 
SLANG  of  all  is  the  SLANG  of  poets. 

1875.  WHITNEY,  Life  and  Growth  of 
Language,  vii.  There  are  grades  and  uses 
of  SLANG  whose  charm  no  one  need  be 
ashamed  to  feel  and  confess  ;  it  is  like 
reading  a  narrative  in  a  series  of  rude  and 
telling  pictures  instead  of  in  words. 

1879-81.  SKEAT,  Etymological  Diet. , 
s.v.  SLANG  ...  is  from  the  Norwegian 
sleng,  a  slinging,  a  device,  a  burden  of  a 
song.  Slengja,  to  sling ;  slengja  kieften, 
TO  SLANG,  abuse  (lit.  to  sling  the  jaw  ; 
SLENG-JENAMN,  a  slang  (i.e.,  an  abusive 
name)  ;  slengje-ord,  an  insulting  word  ;  all 
from  slengja,  to  sling. 

1881-9.  Encyclopaedic  Diet.,  s.v. 
SLANG.  A  kind  of  colloquial  language 
current  amongst  one  particular  class,  or 
amongst  various  classes  of  society,  unedu- 
cated or  educated,  but  which,  not  having 
received  the  stamp  of  general  approval,  is 
frequently  considered  as  inelegant  or 
vulgar.  Almost  every  profession  or  calling 
has  its  own  SLANG  ...  In  this  sense  it 
means  any  colloquial  words  or  phrases, 
vulgar  or  refined,  used  conventionally  by 
each  particular  class  of  people  in  speaking 
of  particular  matters  connected  with  their 
own  calling.  SLANG  is  sometimes  allied 
to,  but  not  quite  identical  with  cant. 


1884.  H.  JAMES,  JR.,  Little  Tour, 
89.  As  the  game  went  on,  and  he  lost 
...  he  ...  SLANGED  his  partner,  de- 
clared he  wouldn't  play  any  mor«,  and 
went  away  in  a  fury. 

1886.  D.  Telegraph,  11  Sep.  A  tipsy 
virago  SLANGING  the  magistrate  to  the 
high  amusement  of  the  top-booted  con- 
stables. Ibid.,  i  Jan.  It  is  the  business 
of  SLANGINESS  to  make  everything  ugly. 
Ibid.)  13  Sep.  'Don't  be  so  SLANGY, 
Julia.'  remonstrates  her  father. 


Poor    Nellie 


Looked 


1888.  roor  JVeilze,  17.  Looked 
awfully  SLANGY  then?  I'm  sure  she  was 
in  a  wax. 

1898.  Century  Diet.,  s.v.  SLANG,     i. 
The  cant  words  or  jargon  used  by  thieves, 
peddlers,  beggars,  and  the  vagabond  classes 
generally.     2.  In   present  use,    colloquial 
words  and  phrases  which  have  originated 
in  the  cant  or  rude  speech  of  the  vagabond 
or  unlettered  classes,  or,  belonging  in  form 
to  standard  speech,  have  acquired  or  have 
had  given  them  restricted,  capricious,  or 
extravagantly  metaphorical  meanings,  and 
are  regarded  as  vulgar  or  inelegant  .  .  . 
SLANG  as  such  is  not  necessarily  vulgar  or 
ungrammatical ;    indeed,    it    is    generally 
correct  in    idiomatic    form,    and    though 
frequently  censured    on    this    ground,   it 
often,  in  fact,  owes  its  doubtful  character 
to  other  causes. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John    St.,  vi.     A 
SLANGING  MATCH  .  .  .  and  the  unname- 
able  in  invective  and  vituperation  rises,  as 
in  blackest  vapour  from  our  pit  to  the  sky. 

1900.  Nation,  9  Oct.,  289.    SLANG 
in  the  sense  of  the  cant  language  of  thieves 
appears  in  print  as  early  as  the  middle  of 
the  last  century  [see  quot.    1743  supra]. 
Scott  when  using  the  word  felt  the  necessity 
of  defining  it ;  and  his  definition  shows  not 
only  that  it  was  generally  unknown  but 
that  it  had  not  then  begun  to  depart  from 
its  original  sense. 

2.  (old). — A  leg  iron;  a  fetter 
(GROSE  and  VAUX).  [Formerly 
about  three  three  feet  long,  the 
SLANG  being  attached  to  an  iron 
anklet  rivetted  on  the  leg:  the 
SLACK  (g.v.}  was  slung  to  the 
waistbelt.]  Whence  (3)  =  a 
watch-chain.  In  Dutch  slang, 
SLANG  =  (i)  a  snake,  and  (2)  a 
chain. 


Slang. 


242 


Slant. 


c.i  790.  Kilmainham  Minit  [Ireland 
Sixty  Years  Ago,  88],  If  dat  de  SLANG 
you  run  sly,  De  scrag-boy  may  yet  be  out- 
witted, And  I  scout  again  on  de  lay. 

c.i  866.  VANCE,  Chickaleary  Cove. 
How  to  do  a  cross-fan  for  a  super  or 

SLANG. 

1877.  HORSLEV,  Jottings  from  Jail. 
Fullied  for  a  clock  and  SLANG. 

1900.  MAJOR   ARTHUR    GRIFFITHS, 
Fast  and  Loose,  xxxiii.     If  I  am  caught 
it'll  mean  a  '  bashing '  and  the  SLANGS. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,   138. 
A  watch  and  chain,  or  in  thieves'  language 
"  white  lot "  and  thimble  and  SLANG. 

4.  (old). — False    weights    and 
measures   (e.g.,  a  slang  quart  = 
i£  pts.).     As  verb.  =  to  cheat  by 
short  weight  or  measure:    also 
'  to  defraud  a  person  of  any  part 
of  his  due '  (GROSE  and  VAUX). 
SLANGING-DUES  (see  quot.  1785). 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SLANGING-DUES.  When  a  man  suspects 
that  he  has  been  curtailed  of  any  portion 
of  his  just  right,  he  will  say,  There  has 
been  SLANGING-DUES  concerned. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  n. 
104.  Some  of  the  street  weights,  a  good 
many  of  them,  are  SLANGS. 

5.  (old). — A  beggar's  pass  ;  a 
hawker's    license :    any     official 
instrument.     ON  THE  SLANG  = 
begging  or  peddling.     Hence  (6) 
a  pursuit ;  a  LAY  (q.v.)\  a  LURK 
(q.v.). 

1789.  PARKER,  Variegated  Charac- 
ters. How  do  you  work  now?  Oh,  upon 
THE  old  SLANG  and  sometimes  a  little 
bully-prigging. 

7.  (showmen's). — (a)  A  travel- 
ling show  ;  a  cheap-jack's  van  ; 
and  (b)  a  performance ;  a  TURN 
(q.v.)  :  e.g.,  the  first,  second,  or 
third  SLANG  =  the  first,  second, 
or  third  HOUSE  (q.v.),  when  more 
than  one  performance  is  given 
during  the  evening.  Also  THE 
SLANGS  =  (i)  a  collection  of 
shows,  and  (2)  the  showman's 
profession;  SLANGING  and  SLANG- 
CULL  (see  quot.  1789) ;  SLANG- 


AND-PITCHER  SHOP  =  (l)  a 
cheap-jack's  van,  and  (2)  a 
wholesale  dealer  in  cheap-jack 
wares  ;  SLANG-TREE  =  (i)  a 
stage,  and  (2)  a  trapeze  :  hence 
TO  CLIMB  UP  THE  SLANG  TREE 

=  (i)  to  perform,  and  (2)  to 
make  an  exhibition  of  oneself. 

1789.  PARKER,  Var.  Characters. 
To  exhibit  anything  in  a  fair  or  market, 
such  as  a  tall  man,  or  a  cow  with  two 
heads,  that's  called  SLANGING,  and  the 
exhibitor  is  called  a  SLANG-CULL. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  i. 
353.  The  SLANG-COVES  (the  showmen) 
have  .  .  .  been  refused. 

1887.  HENLEY,    Villon's    Straight 
Tip,  2.  Pad  with  a  SLANG,  or  chuck  a  fag. 

1888.  HOOD,     Comic    Annual,    52. 
There   were  all  kinds  of  fakes    on    the 
SLANGS  .  .  .  amongst  others  some  Chinese 
acrobatic  work. 

TO     SLANG     THE      MAULEYS, 

verb.  phr.  (streets').—  To  shake 
hands.  [That  is  TO  SLING  (q.  v.  )]. 

SLANGRILL  (or  SLANGAM),  subs. 
(old).—  A  lout. 

1592.  GREENE,  Quip  for  Upstart 
Courtier  [Harl.  Misc.,  v.  407].  The  third 
was  a  long  leane,  olde,  slavering  SLAN- 
GRILL. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Longis. 
A  tall  and  dull  SLANGAM,  that  hath  no 
making  to  his  height,  nor  wit  to  his 
making  ;  also  one  that  being  sent  on  an 
errand  is  long  in  returning. 

SLANT,  subs,  (colloquial).—  i.  An 
opportunity  ;  a  chance.  [Origin- 
ally nautical  =  a  favourable  wind  : 
e.g.,  f  a  SLANT  across  the  Bay.'] 

2.  (American).  —  A    side  blow 
(BARTLETT). 

Verb,    (thieves').—  I.    To    run 
away  :  see  BOLT. 

2.    (colloquial).  —  To    exagge- 
rate ;  to  *  draw  the  LONG  BOW  ' 


3.    (racing).  —  To  wager:    see 
LAY. 


S  lantendicular. 


243 


Slap. 


SLANTENDICULAR,  adj.  (collo- 
quial).— Indirect ;  a  SLANT  (g.v.). 
Also  as  adv. 

1844.  HALI BURTON,  The  Attache, 
xxviii.  Pony  got  mad  and  sent  the  Elder 
right  slap  over  his  head  SLANTENDI- 
CULARLY,  on  the  broad  of  his  back,  into 
the  river. 

1872.  DE  MORGAN,  Budg.  of  Para- 
doxes, 289.  He  must  put  himself  [in  the 
Calendar]  under  the  first  saint,  with  a 
SLANTENDICULAR  reference  to  the  other. 

SLAP,  subs.  (old).  —  I.  Booty ; 
plunder. 

£.1790.  Kilmainham  Minit  [Ireland 
Sixty  Years  Ago,  87].  And  when  dat  he 
milled  a  fat  SLAP,  He  merrily  melted  de 
winners. 

2.  (theatrical). — Make-up.  Also 
as  verb.  :  \cf.  SLAP  =  to  rough 
cast]. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  98.  You 
could  just  distinguish  faintly  That  she 
favoured  the  judicious  use  of  SLAP. 

Adj.    (colloquial). — First-rate  ; 

SMART  (q.V.)  ',  PRIME  (q.V.)  :  also 
SLAP-UP  :  cf.  BANG-UP  (GROSE). 

Whence  SLAPPER  =  anything  ex- 
ceptional :  see  WHOPPER  ;  SLAP- 
PING =  very  big,  excellent. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  n. 
119.  People's  got  proud  now  .  .  .  and 
must  have  everything  SLAP.  Ibid.,  122. 
A  smart  female  servant  in  SLAP-UP  black. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Neiucomts,  xxxi. 
Might  it  not  be  more  SLAP-UP  still  to  have 
the  two  shields  painted  on  the  panels  with 
the  coronet  over. 

1859.  MATSELL,  Vocabulum.  Ker- 
seymere kicksies  .  .  .  built  very  SLAP 
with  the  artful  dodge. 

1865.  DICKENS,  O.  M.  Friend.  A 
SLAP-UP  gal  in  a  bang-up  chariot. 

1880.  AINSWORTH,  Auriol.  He's  a 
regular  SLAP-UP  swell. 

1885.  Stage,  129.  Whitechapel  cos- 
ters, who  wore  SLAP-UP  kicksies. 

Adv.  (colloquial). — Violently  ; 
plump ;  offhand  :  also  SLAP- 
BANG,  SLAM-BANG  and  SLAP- 


DASH. As  subs.  =  (i)  careless 
work,  and  (2)  indiscriminate 
action  ;  as  verb.  =to  go  recklessly 
to  work. 

1671.  BUCKINGHAM,  Rehearsal 
[ARBER],  67.  He  is  upon  him,  SLAP,  with 
a  repartee  ;  then  he  is  at  him  again,  DASH, 
with  a  new  conceit. 

1693.  CONGREVE,  Old  Batchelor,  iv. 
9.  I  am  SLAP  DASH  down  in  the  mouth, 
and  have  not  one  word  to  say. 

1705.  VANBRUGH,  Confederacy,  iv. 
Very  genteel,  truly  1  Go,  SLAP  DASH,  and 
offer  a  woman  of  her  scruples  money,  bolt 
in  her  face  ! 

1712.  CENTLIVRE,  Perpl.  Lovers,  iii. 
If  you  don't  march  off,  I  shall  play  you 
such  an  English  courant  of  SLAP  DASH 
presently,  that  shan't  out  of  your  ears  this 
twelvemonth. 

1717.  PRIOR,  Alma,  i.  17.  And  yet, 
SLAPDASH,  is  all  again,  In  every  sinew, 
nerve,  and  vein. 

1753.  RICHARDSON,  Grandison,  i. 
170.  In  so  peremptory,  in  so  uncere- 
monious a  manner,  SLAPDASH  as  I  may 
say. 

I759-67-  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy, 
in.  38.  The  whips  and  short  turns  which 
in  one  stage  or  other  of  my  life  have  come 
SLAP  upon  me. 

c.i  790.  Kilmainham  Minit  [Ireland 
Sixty  Years  Ago],  87.  SLAP  DASH  tro 
de  Poddle  we  lark  it. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  42.  He  came  down  SLAP-DASH 
on  all  the  rest  of  the  dishes. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends, 
ii.  143.  His  horse,  coming  SLAP  on  his 
knees  .  .  .  threw  .  .  .  him  head  over 
heels. 

1853.  LYTTON,  My  Novel,  in.  vi.  It 
was  a  SLAPDASH  style. 

c.i  866.  VANCE,  Jolly  Dogs.  SLAP- 
BANG,  here  we  are  again. 

1882.  LOWELL  [Century  Mag.,  xxxv. 
515].  The  SLAPDASH  judgments  upon 
artists  ...  are  very  characteristic. 

1884.  C.  READE,  Art,  20.    He  ... 
executed  a    marvellously    grotesque  bow 
.  .  .  this  done,  he  ...  strode  away  again 

SLAP-DASH. 

1885.  Weekly    Echo,    5    Sep.    This 
most  eccentric  of  quill-drivers  gets  up  his 
facts  in  a  SLAP-DASH  fashion. 


Slap-bang  shop.          244 


Slasher. 


18...  Athenaeum,  3197,  146.  As  a 
specimen  of  newspaper  SLAPDASH  we  may 
point  to  the  description  of  General  Ignatieff 
as  'the  Russian  Mr.  Gladstone.' 

A  SLAP  (or  SLAT)  IN  THE  FACE, 
phr.  (colloquial). — A  rebuff;  a 
reproach  (BEE). 

See  SLOP  UP. 

SLAP-BANG  SHOP,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
—i.  See  quot.  1785.  Also  SLAM- 
BANG  SHOP  (BEE). 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SLAP-BANG  SHOP.  A  petty  cook's  shop, 
where  there  is  no  credit  given,  but  what  is 
had  must  be  paid  for,  down  with  the  ready 
SLAP-BANG,  i.e.  immediately.  This  is  a 
common  appellation  for  a  night  cellar  fre- 
quented by  thieves. 

1856.  DICKENS,  Sketches  by  Boz, 
1  Making  a  Night  of  it.'  They  dined  at 
the  same  SLAP-BANG  every  day,  and 
revelled  in  each  other's  company  every 
night. 

2.  (old). — A  stage  coach,  or 
caravan  (GROSE). 

See  SLAP,  adv. 
SLAP-JACK.     See  FLAP-JACK. 

SLAPPATY-POUCH  (or  SLATTER- 
POUCH),  subs.  (old). — Beating 
the  arms  on  the  chest  to  keep 
warm. 

1654.  GAYTON,  Festivous  Notes,  86. 
When  they  were  boyes  at  trap,  or 
SLATTERPOUCH  They'd  sweat. 

^.1704.     BROWN,    Works,  II.    126.     We 
have  .  .  .  tir'd  our  palms  and  our  ribs  at 

SLAPPATY-POUCH. 

SLAP-SAUCE,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
hanger-on  ;  a  toady.  As  adj.  — 
to  SPONGE  (q.v.}. 

1557.  TUSSER,  Husbandrie,  188. 
Ere  tongue  be  too  free,  Or  SLAPSAUCE  be 
noted  too  saucie  to  bee. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  \.  xxv. 
SLAPSAUCE  fellows  .  .  .  lubbardly  louts. 

SLAP-SIDED.    See  SLAB-SIDED. 


SLASH,  subs,  (thieves'). —An  out- 
side pocket  \cf.  GROSE,  s.v.  SLIP, 
'  the  SLASH  pocket  in  the  skirt  of 
a  coat  behind.']. 

Verb,  (literary). — To  criticise 
severely,  sarcastically,  or  at  ran- 
dom ;  TO  CUT  UP  (q.v.). :  also  TO 
SLASH  IN.  Hence  SLASHING, 
subs.  =  damning  criticism  ;  as 
adj.  =trenchent.  harsh  ;  SLASHER 
=  a  vigorous  critic. 

^.1859.  DE  QUINCEY,  Homer,  i.  The 
Alexandrian  critics  with  all  their  SLASHING 
insolence  .  .  .  groped  about  in  twilight. 

1874.  MORTIMER  COLLINS,  Frances, 
xvii.  The  SLASHING  writers  who  delight 
to  cut  up  a  book,  especially  if  the  author 
is  a  friend  or  a  rival. 

1888.  Athenaeum,  14  Jan.,  43.  He 
may  be  called  the  inventor  of  the  modern 
SLASHING  article. 

SLASHER, subs.  (old). — i.  A  bully; 
a  bravo :  see  FURIOSO  (GROSE 
and  MATSELL).  Also  (2)  a 
pounding  pugilist,  a  HITTITE 
(y.v.) ;  and  (3)  see  SLASH. 

1593.  HARVEY  [GROSART,  Works,  ii. 
57].  That  most  threatening  SLASSHER. 

4.  (old). — A  sword. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xxxiii. 
1  Had  he  no  arms '?...'  Ay,  ay,  he  was 
never  without  barkers  and  SLASHERS. 

5.  (colloquial). — Anything  ex- 
ceptional :  see  WHOPPER.  Hence 
SLASHING  =  exceptionally     bril- 
liant, vigorous,  successful,  expert, 
&c.     Also  as  adv.,  as  a  SLASHING 
fine  woman ;   a  SLASHING  good 
race ;  and  so  forth. 

1854.  DICKENS,  Hard  Times  [Ency. 
Diet.].  A  SLASHING  fortune. 

THE  -  SLASHERS,  subs.  phr. 
(military).— The  ist  Batt.  Glou- 
cestershire Regiment,  formerly 
The  28th  Foot.  Also  "The 
Old  Braggs"  and  "The  Right- 
abouts." 


Slat. 


245 


Slathers. 


SLAT,  subs.  (old). — Half-a-crown  : 
2/6  ;  see  RHINO  (GROSE)  ;  also 
(B.  E.)  SLATE. 

Verb.  (American). — To  throw, 
beat,  or  move  with  violence. 

1604.  M  A  R  s  T  o  N,  Malcontent. 
SLATTED  his  brains  out,  then  soused  him 
in  the  briny  sea. 

1846.  N.  Y.  Com.  Advtr.,  15  May. 
Aunt  Nancy  would  retire  to  the  kitchen, 
and  taking  up  the  dipper,  would  SLAT 
round  the  hot  water  from  a  kettle. 

£.1859.  Layfayette  Chronicle  [BART- 
LETT].  Suz  alive  !  but  warn't  my  dander 
up  to  hear  myself  called  a  flat?  down  I 
SLAT  the  basket,  and  upsought  all  the 
berries. 

1865.  Major  Jack  Downing,  200. 
With  that  I  handed  him  my  axe,  and  he 
SLATTED  about  the  chamber  a  spell. 

SLATE,  subs.  (Old  CantX  —  i.  A 
sheet  (DEKKER  and  GROSE)  : 
also  (B.  E.)  SLAT. 

1567.  HARMAN,  Caveat  [E.  E.  T.  S.], 
76.  A  kynching  morte  is  a  lytle  gyrle ; 
the  Mortes  their  mothers  carries  them  at 
their  backs  in  their  SLATES. 

1611.  MIDDLETON,  Roaring  Girl,  v. 
i.  I  have,  by  the  Salomon,  a  doxy  that 
carries  a  kinchin-mort  in  her  SLATE  at  her 
back. 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Beggar  s  Bush,  iii. 
3.  To  mill  from  the  Ruffmans  commission 
and  SLATES. 

2.  (American  political).  —  A 
preliminary  list  of  candidates  re- 
commended to  office  ;  a  party 
programme.  [In  practice  a 
secret  understanding  between 
leaders  as  to  the  candidates  they 
desire  the  nominating  Convention 
to  adopt.]  To  SMASH  (or 
BREAK)  THE  SLATE  =  to  defeat 
the  wire-pullers  ;  TO  SLATE  =  (i) 
to  prepare,  and  (2)  to  be  included 
in  such  a  list.  SLATE-SMASHER 
=  a  leader  who  ignores  the 
wishes  of  his  party. 

1877.  N.  Y.  Tribune,  i  Mar.  The 
facts  about  the  latest  Cabinet  SLATE  .  .  . 
are  interesting  as  showing  .  .  .  the  course 
of  President  Hayes  in  choosing  his  ad- 
visers. 


Verb.  (colloquial).  —  i.  To 
reprimand  or  criticise  ;  TO  CUT 
UP  (q.v.}.  [Formerly  SLAT  =  to 
bait.]  Hence  SLATING  (or  a 
SLATE)  =  a  blowing  up ;  severe 
censure ;  unsparing  criticism. 

£.1300.  R.  DE  BRUNNE,  MS.  Bowes, 
55.  The  apostille  says  that  God  thaim 
hatys,  And  over  alle  other  with  thaim 
SLATYS. 

1889.  BLACKMORE,  Kit  and  Kitty, 
xxxi.     And  instead  of  being  grateful  you 
set  to  and  SLATE  me. 

1890.  KIPLING,  Light  that  Failed, 
iv.     None  the  less  I'll  SLATE  him.     I'll 
SLATE  him  ponderously  in  the  catacylsm. 

1902.  KERNAHAN,  Scoundrels,  iv. 
If  crimes  were  '  reviewed '  in  the  same 
way  as  stories  a  critic  might  SLATE  the 
two  offences  [lack  of  originality  in  crime 
and  books]  in  almost  identical  words. 

2.  (HALLIWELL). — '  A  woman 
is  said  TO  BE  SLATED  when  her 
petticoat  falls  below  her  gown.' 

3.  (common).  —  To    bash    a 
man's    hat    over    the   eyes ;    TO 
BONNET  (^.Z>.)- 

4.  (sporting). — To  bet  heavily 
against  an  entry. 

A    SLATE    OFF     (LOOSE,    &C.), 

subs.  phr.  (common). — Crazy  ;  a 

TILE  LOOSE  (C[.V.~). 

SLATER'S  PAN,  subs.  phr.  (obso- 
lete).— '  The  gaol  of  Kingston  in 
Jamaica;  SLATER  is  the  deputy 
provost- marshal  1 '  (GROSE). 

SLATHERS,  subs.  (American). — 
Abundance  ;  '  lashin's  an'  lavin's.' 

1876.  CLEMENS,  Tom  Sawyer,  75.  I 
am  going  to  be  a  clown  at  a  circus.  They 
get  SLATHERS  of  money— most  a  dollar  a 
day. 

1 8  [?].   New  Princeton  Rev.  [Century]. 

Mr.    can    repeat     SLATHERS     and 

SLATHERS  of  another  man's  literature. 


Slaughter. 


246 


Sleeper. 


SLAUGHTER,  verb,  (trade).— i.  To 
sell  at  a  SACRIFICE  (q.v.).  Hence 

SLAUGHTER-HOUSE  =  a    shop    OI 

auction-room  where  goods  are 
bought  or  sold  for  what  they  will 
bring;  SLAUGHTERER  =  (i)  a 
vendor  at  cost,  and  (2)  a  buyer  for 
re-manufacture  :  as  books  for 
pulp,  cloth  for  shoddy,  &c. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.  .  .  • 
One  East  End  SLAUGHTERER  used  habitu- 
ally to  tell  that  wet  Saturday  afternoons 
.  .  .  put  £20  extra  in  his  pocket  .  .  . 
Under  such  circumstances  the  poor  work- 
man is  at  the  mercy  of  the  SLAUGHTERER. 

SLAUGHTER  OF  THE  INNO- 
CENTS. See  INNOCENT. 

SLAVE-DRIVER,  subs,  (colloquial).— 
I.  A  harsh  taskmaster;  a  strict 
master. 

2.  (Harrow  cricket). — Seequot. 

1890.  Great  Public  Schools,  95.  The 
upper  ground  on  these  days  is  given  up  to 
practice  at  the  nets  for  the  eleven  and  the 
'Sixth  Form'  game,  and  to  practice  in 
fielding  and  catching.  Boys  below  the 
Removes  have  to  fag  for  them,  and  these 
fags  are  managed  by  SLAVE-DRIVERS,  three 
or  four  boys  appointed  for  the  purpose. 

SLAVEY,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
drudge  :  male  or  female  ;  '  a  ser- 
vant of  either  sex '  (GROSE).  Also 

(old)   SLAVING-GLOKE. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  i. 
The  SLAVEY  and  her  master — the  surgeon 
and  the  resurrection-man —  .  .  .  they  are 
"all  there." 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.,  i. 
472.  The  first  enquiry  is  for  the  missus  or 
a  daughter,  and  if  they  can't  be  got  at  they 
are  on  to  the  SLAVEYS. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Newcomes,  xi. 
The  boy  Thomas,  otherwise  called  SLAVEY 
.  .  .  has  been  instructed  to  bring  soda 
whenever  he  hears  the  word  SLAVEY  pro- 
nounced from  above. 

1879.  HORSLEY  [Macm.  Mag.,  xl. 
501  ].  I  piped  a  SLAVEY  come  out  of  a  chat, 
so  when  she  bad  got  a  little  way  up  the 
double,  I  pratted  in  the  house. 


1886.  D.  Telegraph,  i  Ap.  No  well- 
conducted  English  girl  need  be  a  SLAVEY 
at  all. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  xvi.  She 
knew  all  the  cant,  and  used  to  palarie 
thick  to  the  SLAVEYS. 

1901.  Free  Lance,  16  Mar.,  586,  i. 
Joan  Burnett  ...  has  inherited  both  her 
mother's  and  her  father's  talent,  as  all  will 
have  noticed  who  saw  her  play  the  curiously 
pathetic  SLAVEY  in  "  The  Wedding  Guest. 

SLEDGE-HAMMER,  verb,  (collo- 
quial).— To  hit  hard  ;  to  batter. 

1834.  LEWIS,  Letters,  32.  You  may 
see  what  is  meant  by  SLEDGE-HAMMERING 
a  man. 

SLEEK.    See  SLICK. 

SLEEK- AND -SLUM  SUQP,  subs.  phr. 
(BEE).—'  A  public  house  or  tavern 
where  single  men  and  their  wives 
resort. ' 

SLEEP,  verb,  (colloquial). — To  pro- 
vide sleeping  accommodation  :  cf. 
ROOM. 

1887.  RIBTON  -  TURNER,  Vagrants 
and  Vagrancy,  399.  They  were  to  have 
a  double  row  of  beds,  'two  tire'  high,  to 
admit  of  SLEEPING  100  men  and  60  women. 

To  SLEEP  ON  BONES,  verb.  phr. 
(old). — To  sleep  in  a  lap:  e.g., 
*  Let  not  the  child  sleep  on  bones, 
i.e.,  in  the  nurse's  lap  '  (RAY). 

TO  SLEEP  ON  BOTH  EARS,  verb. 

phr.    (old).— To    sleep    soundly, 
without  a  care. 

1633.  MASSINGER,  Guardian,  ii.  2. 
SLEEP  you  secure  ON  EITHER  EAR. 

SLEEP- DRUNK,  adj.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— Drowsy  ;  confused  :  as 
on  waking  from  heavy  sleep. 

SLEEPER,  subs.  (American).  —  A 
sleeping-car. 

1886.  Referee.  26  Dec.  Our  .  .  . 
SLEEPER  as  the  natives  prefer  to  call  these 
much-vaunted  American  inventions. 

2.  (American  gaming). — Un- 
claimed money. 


Sleeping-house. 


247 


Sleeveless. 


SLEEPING-HOUSE,  subs.  phr.  (B.  E. 
c.  1696).  — '  SLEEPINGE  HOUSE, 
without  Shop,  Ware-House,  or 
Cellar,  only  for  a  private  Family.' 

SLEEPING  -  PARTNER,  subs.  phr. 
(GROSE). — i.  'A  partner  in  a 
trade,  or  shop,  who  lends  his  name 
and  money,  for  which  he  receives 
a  share  of  the  profit,  without 
doing  any  part  of  the  business.' 

2.  (common).— A  bed-fellow. 

SLEEPY,  adj.  and  adv.  (old). — Much 
worn  ;  threadbare  :  e.g. ,  a  SLEEPY 
PEAR  =  a  pear  beginning  to  decay ; 
a  SLEEPLESS-HAT  =  shabby  head- 
gear 'with  nap  worn  off'  (GROSE). 
See  GOLGOTHA. 

SLEEPY-HEAD,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
—A  dullard. 

SLEEPY  QUEENS  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(military).— The  Queen's  Royal 
Regiment,  late  the  2nd  Foot. 

SLEEPY-SEED,  subs.  phr.  (nursery). 
— In  pi.  =The  mucous  secretion 
about  the  eyelids  during  sleep  : 
cf.  SAND-MAN. 

SLEEVE.  Here  occur  one  or  two 
PHRASES  and  COLLOQUIALISMS  : 

TO      HANG     ON     (or     UPON)      A 

SLEEVE  =  to  be  dependent ;  TO 

LAUGH    IN    ONE'S    SLEEVES  =  to 

deride  or  exult  in  secret  (B.  E.)  ; 

TO  WEAR  ONE'S  HEART  UPON 

ONE'S  SLEEVE  =  to  make  no 
mystery,  to  be  artless  ;  IN  (or  UP) 
ONE'S  SLEEVE  =  hidden,  in  re- 
serve, ready  for  use ;  TO  PIN  TO 
ONE'S  SLEEVE  =  to  flaunt ;  TO 
HANG  ON  ANOTHER'S  SLEEVE  = 
to  accept  another's  authority. 
1546.  '  HEYWOOD,  Proverbs.  To 

LAUGH  IN  MY  SLEEVE. 

1580.  LYLY,  Euphues  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng. ,  i.  607.  Among  the  verbs  are 
match  (marry),  PIN  A  MAN  TO  HER 
SLEEVE], 


1589.  PUTTENHAM,  Art  of  Eng. 
Poesy,  251.  The  better  to  winne  his  pur- 
poses ...  to  HAVE  a  iourney  or  sicknesse 
IN  HIS  SLEEVE,  thereby  to  shake  off  other 
importunities  of  greater  consequence. 

d.  1600.  HOOKER,  Eccles.  Polity  [Ency. 
Diet.].  It  is  not  ...  to  ask  why  we 
should  HANG  our  judgment  UPON  THE 
CHURCH'S  SLEEVE. 

1602.    SHAKSPEARE,  Othello,  i.  i.    I 

will  WEAR  MY  HEART  UPON  MY  SLEEVE  for 

daws  to  peck  at. 

1713.  ARBUTHN9T,  Hist.  John  Bull. 
John  LAUGHED  heartily  IN  HIS  SLEEVE  at 
the  pride  of  the  esquire. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [RouT- 
LEDGE],  79.  I  made  him  a  thousand  low 
bows  though  I  felt  for  him  IN  MY  SLEEVE 
the  contempt  and  hatred,  &c.  Ibid.,  227. 
I  could  not  help  LAUGHING  IN  MY  SLEEVE 
when  I  considered  who  and  what  they 
were. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  ii. 
Sir  Everard  was  a  close  enough  old  man 
.  .  .  We,  none  of  us,  WEAR  OUR  HEARTS 
ON  OUR  SLEEVE.  Ibid.,  viii.  He  is  the 
equal  of  any  man.  The  sort  of  fellow  who 
always  has  something  UP  HIS  SLEEVE. 

SLEEVEBOARD,  subs,  (tailors'). — A 
hard  word  to  pronounce  ;  a  JAW- 
BREAKER (q.v.}. 

SLEEVELESS, adj.  (old). — Fruitless; 
inadequate ;  wanting  a  cover  or 
excuse  ;  '  impertinent  or  trifling ' 
(BAILEY)  :  now  only  in  phrase, 

*A  SLEEVELESS  ERRAND  '  =  (B.  E. 

and  GROSE)  'a  fool's  errand,  in 
search  of  what  it  is  impossible  to 
find,'  CHAUCER,  Test.  Love,  ii. 
334- 

14!?].  Reliq.  Antiq.,  i.  83.  Syrrus, 
thynke  not  lonke,  and  y  schall  tell  yow  a 

SLEVELES   RESON. 

1579.  LYLY,  Euphues,  '  Anat.  of 
Wit,"  114.  Neither  faine  for  thy  selfe  any 

SLEEVELESS   EXCUSE. 

1593.  Passionate  Morrice  [Shaks. 
Soc.],  63.  Shee  had  dealt  better  if  shee 
had  sent  himselfe  away  with  a  crabbed 
answere,  then  so  vnmannerly  to  vse  him 

by  SLEEVELES  EXCUSES. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  iv.  i.  Worse 
than  the  logogryphes  of  later  times,  Or 
hundreth  riddles  shak'd  to  SLKBVELESSE 
RHYMES. 


Slewed. 


248 


Slick. 


1602.  SHAKSPEARE,  Troilus  and 
Cressida,  v.  4,  10.  That  same  young 
Trojan  ass,  that  loves  the  whore  there, 
might  send  that  Greekish  whoremasterly 
villain,  with  the  sleeve,  back  to  the  dis- 
sembling luxurious  drab,  of  a  SLEEVELESS 

ERRAND. 

<y.  1612.  HARINGTON,  Epigrams,  in.  9. 
My  men  came  back  as  from  a  SLEEVELESS 
ARRANT. 

1620.  FLETCHER,  Little  French 
Lawyer,  ii.  To  be  despatch'd  upon  a 
SLEEVELESS  ERRAND,  To  leave  my  friend 
engag'd,  mine  honour  tainted. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  n.  iii.  A 
neat  laundresse,  or  a  hearbwife  can  Carry 
a  SLEEVELESS  MESSAGE  now  and  then. 

1633.  JONSON,  Tale  of  a  Tub,  iv.  4. 
It  [a  coat]  did  play  me  such  a  SLEEVELESS 
ERRAND  As  I  had  nothing  where  to  put 
mine  arms  in,  And  then  I  threw  it  off. 

^.1680.  BUTLER,  Works,  ii.  296.  They 
are  the  likelier,  quoth  Bracton,  To  bring 
us  many  a  SLEEVELESS  ACTION. 

£.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SLEEVELESS  STORY,  a  Tale  of  a  Tub,  or  of 
a  Cock  and  a  Bull. 

1706.  WARD,  Wooden  World,  22. 
He  sends  him  upon  a  thousand  SLEEVE- 
LESS ERRANDS  to  the  great  Consolation  of 
the  Footman. 

1737-41.  WARBURTON,  Div.  Leg., 
iii.  To  save  himself  from  the  vexation  of 

A  SLEEVELESS  ERRAND. 


SLEWED,  adj.  (common). — Drunk  : 
see  SCREWED.  Also  SLUED. 

.1843.  DICKENS,  Martin  Chuzzlewit, 
xxviii.  He  came  into  our  place  one  night 
to  take  her  home ;  rather  SLUED,  but  not 
much. 

1855.  Whig  Almanack  [BARTLETT]. 
I  went  to  bed  SLEWED  last  night — didn't 
dream  of  such  a  thing  in  the  morning. 

SLEWER,  subs.  (American).  —  A 
servant-girl  :  cf.  Dutch  slang 
sluer  (or  sloor)  =  a  poor,  common 
woman. 


SLIBBER- SLABBER,    adj.     (collo- 
quial).— Careless. 


SLICE.  To  TAKE  A  SLICE,  verb, 
phr.  (venery).  —  To  intrigue  ; 
'particularly  (GROSE)  with  a 
married  woman,  because  a  slice 
off  a  cut  loaf  is  not  missed.' 

SLICK,  adv.  (Old  English  :  then 
American).  —  I.  Quick  ;  bold  ; 
direct ;  perfect.  Whence  (2)  = 
clever  ;  plausible ;  expert ;  SMART 
(q.v.).  Also  SLEEK. 

1605.  JONSON,  CHAPMAN,  &c.,  East- 
ware  Hoe,  ii.  i.  They  be  the  smoothest 
and  SLICKEST  knaves  in  a  country. 

1832.  HALIBURTON,  Traits  of  Am. 
Humour,  n.  18.  Courtin'  is  the  hardest 
thing  in  the  world  to  begin,  though  it  goes 
on  so  SLICK  arterwards. 

1835.  CROCKETT,  Tour  down  East, 
120.  The  Senate  could  not  pass  Mr. 
Stevenson  through  for  England  .  .  .  He 
was  a-going  through  right  SLICK  till  he 
came  to  his  coat-pockets,  and  they  were  so 
full  of  papers  written  by  Ritchie  that  he 
stuck  fast. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.,  i.  241. 
The  hare,  making  play,  Progress'd  right 
SLICK  away,  As  them  tarnation  chaps,  the 
Americans,  say. 

1841.  _  Knickerbocker  Mag.  [BART- 
LETT].  Singin'  is  a  science  which  comes 
pretty  tough  at  first,  but  it  goes  SLICK 
afterwards. 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship,  94. 
I  done  it  as  SLICK  as  a  whistle. 

1847.  Blackwoods  Mag.  The  rail- 
road company,  out  of  sheer  parsimony, 
have  neglected  to  fence  in  their  line,  which 
goes  SLICK  through  the  centre  of  your 
garden. 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons  [BARTLETT]. 
Nobody  can  waltz  real  SLICK  unless  they 
have  the  spring-halt  in  one  leg,  as  horses 
sometimes  have. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  253.  He 
[read]  it  off  SLICKER  than  any  on  us  could  ; 
he  did — there  wa'n't  no  kind  o"  word  could 
stop  him. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  243. 
One  of  the  SLICKEST  young  fellows  that 
ever  turned  a  card  .  .  .  could  work  the 
shells  and  the  elusive  pea  like  a  circus 
sharper  .  .  . 


Slick-a-die. 


249 


Slim. 


To  SLICK  UP,  verb.  phr.  (Ame- 
rican). —  To  TITTIVATE  (q.V.)  ; 
to  smarten ;  to  put  in  order. 

1840.  CLAVERS,  Montacute,  211. 
Mrs.  Flyer  was  SLICKED  UP  for  the  occa- 
sion, in  the  snuff-colored  silk  she  was 
married  in. 

1843.  CARLTON,  New  Purchase,  i. 
72.  The  caps  most  in  vogue  then  were 
made  of  dark,  coarse,  knotted  twine,  like  a 
cabbage-net,  worn,  as  the  wives  said,  to 
save  SLICKING  UP,  and  to  hide  dirt. 

1865.  MAJOR  DOWNING,  Mayday,  43. 
The  house  was  all  SLICKED  UP  as  neat  as  a 
pin,  and  the  things  in  every  room  all  sot  to 
rights. 

SLICK- A- DIE,  subs.  phr.  (thieves'). 
— A  pocket-book  :  see  DEE. 

SLICKER,  subs.  (Western  Ameri- 
can). —  An  overcoat  :  spec,  a 
waterproof :  also  SLEEKER. 

1882.  ROOSEVELT  [Century  Mag., 
xxxv.  864].  We  had  turned  the  horses 
loose,  and  in  our  oilskin  SLICKERS  covered, 
soaked  and  comfortless,  under  the  lee  of 
the  wagon. 

SLIDE,  verb,  (colloquial). — i.  To 
decamp;  TO  SKIP  (q.v.) :  also 
TO  SLIDE  OUT  =  (i)  to  leave 
stealthily ;  and  (2)  to  shirk :  by 
artifice. 

i8[?].  R.  S.  WILLIS,  Student's  Song 
[BARTLETT].  Broken  is  the  band  that 
held  us,  We  must  cut  our  sticks  and 

SLIDE. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  150. 
He  is  supposed  to  gather  his  hat  and  coat, 
and  SLIDE  at  once. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xxi. 
Cheese  it,  an'  SLIDE. 

2.  (colloquial). — To  backslide; 
to  WEAKEN  (q.v.):  e.g.  from  a 
resolution,  attitude,  or  promise. 
As  subs.  =  an  error,  a  falling 
away ;  SLIDING  =  transgression. 

1603.  SHAKSPEARE,  Meas.for  Meas., 
ii.  4,  115.  Proved  the  SLIDING  of  your 
brother  A  merriment  than  a  vice. 


1620.  FORD,  Line  of  Life  [Century]. 
The  least  blemish,  the  least  SLIDE,  the 
least  error,  the  least  offonce,  is  exaspe- 
rated, made  capital. 

To  LET  SLIDE,  verb.  phr.  (old 
colloquial). — To  let  go  ;  to  allow 
things  to  take  care  of  themselves. 

1369.  CHAUCER,  Troilus,  v.  357.  So 
sholdestow  endure  and  LATEN  SLYDE  The 
time.  Ibid.  (1383),  Cant.  Tales,  '  Clerkes 
Tale,'  26.  Wei  neigh  all  other  cures  let  he 

SLIDE. 

1420.  PALLADIUS,  Hosbondrie 
[E.  E.  T.  S.],  64.  Lette  that  crafte 
SLYDE. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Taming  of 
Shrew,  Induct,  i.  6.  LET  the  world 

SLIDE. 

TO  DO  A  SLIDE  UP  THE  BOARD 

(or  STRAIGHT),  verb.  phr. 
(venery).  —  To  copulate  :  see 
GREENS  and  RIDE. 

SLIDE-GROAT,  subs.  phr.   (old). — 
SHOVE-HALFPENNY  (q.v.). 

1528.  HOLINSHED,  Chron.  of  Ireland. 
The  lieutenant  and  he  for  their  disport 
were  plaieing  at  SLIDE-GROTE  or  shoofle- 
board. 

SLIDER,   subs.    (old). —  In    //.  = 
drawers. 

1700.  DICKBNSON,  God's  Prot.  Prov. 
[Century].  A  shirt  and  SLIDERS. 

SLIDE  -  THRIFT.      See     SHOVEL  - 

BOARD. 

SLIM,  subs.  (Old  Cant).—  See  quot. 

1789.  PARKER,  Variegated  Charac- 
ters. ...  A  bobstick  of  rum  SLIM,  a 
shilling's  worth  of  rum 

Adj.  (colloquial).  —  Delicate  ; 
feeble. 

1877.  JEWETT,  Deephaven,  169. 
She's  had  SLIM  health  of  late  years. 

Adv.  (colloquial). — Resource- 
ful; SMART  (q.v.).  [In  provincial 
English  SLIM  =  sly,  cunning, 
awry :  the  popular  use  of  the 
word  during  the  South  African 
War,  1899-1902,  largely,  if  not 
wholly  =  mere  artfulness.] 


Slime. 


250 


Slink. 


SLIME,  verb.  (Durham  School). — 
i.  To  'cut'  games.  Also  (2)  to 
lounge,  to  loaf:  e.g.,  '  SLIMEING 
down  town.' 

3.  (Felsted). — To  sneak  along ; 
TO  DO  A  SLIME  =  to  take  a  crafty 
advantage. 

4.  (Harrow). — To    go    round 
quietly. 

1898.    WARNER,  Harrow  School,  282. 
His  house-beak  SLIMED  and  twug  him. 

5.  (Harrow). — To  make  'drops' 
at  rackets. 

SLING,  verb,  (common). — A  generic 
verb  of  action.  Thus  I  (thieves') 
=  to  throw  away  or  pass  to  a 
confederate;  and  2  (general)  to 
do  easily  ;  TO  SLING  A  POT  =  to 
drink;  TO  SLING  THE  BOOZE  = 
to  stand  treat ;  TO  SLING  A  BOB 
(a  tanner — anything)  =  to  give  ; 
TO  SLING  ONE'S  HOOK  (BUNK,  or 
DANIEL)  =  to  decamp;  TO  SLING 
A  DADDLE  =  to  shake  hands ; 

TO  SLING  A  CAT  =  to  vomit ;    TO 

SLING  A  TINKLER  =  to  ring  the 
bell ;  TO  SLING  ONE'S  JUICE  (or 
JELLY) = to  masturbate ;  TO  SLING 

A  POEM,  ARTICLE,  Or  BOOK  =  to 

write;  TO  SLING  A  HAT  =  to  wave 
one  in  applause  ;  TO  SLING  THE 
SMASH  =  to  smuggle  tobacco  to 
prisoners ;  TO  SLING  ABOUT  =  to 
loaf;  TO  SLING  INK  (or  A  PEN) 
=  to  write  :  hence  INKSLINGER 
=  a  clerk  or  author  ;  TO  SLING  A 
FOOT  =  to  dance ;  TO  SLING  ONE 
IN  THE  EYE  =  to  blacken  it ;  TO 

KILL  A  CROW  WITH  AN   EMPTY 

SLING  (RAY)  =  to  gain  without 
effort  ;  TO  SLING  OFF  (or  PATTER 
or  JAW)  =  to  talk,  to  abuse,  to 
insinuate :  cf.  SLANG  ;  TO  SLING 
A  SNOT  =  to  blow  one's  nose  with 
the  fingers  :  also  TO  SLING  ;  TO 

SLING    (or   JERK)     A     PART  =  to 

undertake  a  role :    TO  SLING  A 


NASTY  PART  =  to  play  so  well 
that  another  would  find  it  diffi- 
cult to  rival  it  ;  TO  SLING  ROUND 
ON  THE  LOOSE  =  to  act  reck- 
lessly;  SLING  YOURSELF  (LET 
HER  SLING  !)  =  '  Bestir  yourself.' 

1835.  CROCKETT,  Tour  down  East, 
37.  We  swung  round  the  wharf;  and 
when  the  captain  told  the  people  who  I 
was,  they  SLUNG  THEIR  HATS  and  gave 
three  cheers. 

1864.  BROWNE  ('Artemus  Ward'), 
Works  (1870),  277.  The  chaps  that  write 
for  the  Atlantic,  Betsy,  understand  their 
bisness.  They  can  SLING  INK,  they  can. 
Ibid.,  305.  You  ask  me,  sir,  to  SLING 
SOME  INK  for  your  paper. 

1873.  GREENWOOD,  In  Strange  Com- 
pany. He  .  .  .  swore  .  .  .  that  if  we 
did  not  that  instant  SLING  OUR  DANIELS 
...  he  would  shy  at  us  every  heavenly 
article  of  crockery  his  apartment  contained. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huckleberry  Finn. 
Teach  singing  .  .  .  SLING  A  LECTURE 
sometimes. 


1899.      WHITEING./tfAwS/.,  VI.     Blow 

me  if  I  shan't  be  sold  up,  too,  if  I  don't 
soon  SLING  MY  'OOK.  Ibid.  ,  xxi.  If  ever 
I  ketch  yer  messin'  abaht  wi'  any  o'  them, 

I'll  SLING  him  ONE  IN  THE  EYE. 


^.  (common).  —  Apiece 
of  bread  floating  in  tea. 

SLINGING,  adj.  (colloquial).  — 
Covering  ;  indefatigable  ;  effort- 
less. 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown's  School- 
days, i.  7.  Two  well-known  runners  .  .  . 
started  off  at  a  long  SLINGING  trot  across 
the  fields. 

SLINK,  subs,  (common).  —  i.  A 
sneak  ;  (2)  a  greedy  starveling 
(HALLIWELL)  ;  and  (3)  a  cheat. 
Hence  as  adj.  (or  SLINKY)  =  (i) 
sneaky,  mean  ;  and  2  (America) 
=  thin,  lank  (BARTLETT). 

1816.  SCOTT,  Antiquary,  xv.  He 
has  na'  settled  his  account  wi'  my  gudeman 
the  deacon  for  this  twalmonth  ;  he's  but 
SLINK,  I  doubt. 

i8[?].  Chronicles  of  Pinevitte,  139 
[BARTLETT].  I  despise  a  SLINK. 


Slip. 


251 


Slip-gibbet. 


4.  (old). — A  bastard  :  cf.  SLINK 
=  to  miscarry  (of  beasts). 

1702.  COMBERBATCH,  Byron  and 
Elms,  Comberbatch,  391.  What  did  you 
go  to  London  for  but  to  drop  your  SLINK. 

SLIP,   subs.    (old). — See    quots.  : 
also  SLIP-COIN.     Whence  TO  BE 

NAILED    UP    FOR    SLIPS  =  to    be 

tried  and  found  wanting. 

^.1592.  GREENE,  Theeves  Falling  Out 
[Harl.  Misc.,  viii.  399].  Certain  SLIPS, 
which  are  counterfeit  pieces  of  money, 
being  brasse,  and  covered  over  with  silver, 
which  the  common  people  call  SLIPS. 

1594.  LYLY,  Mother  Bombie,   ii.  i. 
I  shall  goe  for  silver  though,  when  you 
shall  be  NAILED  UP  FOR  SLIPS. 

1595.  SHAKSPEARE,     Romeo    and 
Juliet,  ii.  4.    Rom.    What  counterfeit  did 
I  give  you.    Mer.  The  SLIP,  sir,  the  SLIP  : 
can  you  not  conceive  ? 

^.1637.  JONSON,  Epigrams,  64.  First 
weigh  a  friend,  then  touch  and  try  him 
too,  For  there  are  many  SLIPS  and  counter- 
feits. 

^.1655.  ADAMS,  Works,  i.  247.  To 
take  a  piece  of  SLIP-COIN  in  hand. 

2.  (old). — A  miscarriage;  an 
abortion.  Also  as  verb.  —  to 
miscarry. 

PHRASES.  —  To  SLIP  ONE'S 
CABLE  (BREATH,  or  WIND)  =  to 
to  die  :  see  ALOFT  ;  TO  GIVE  THE 
SLIP  =  to  escape  unobserved ; 
A  SLIP  (or  FALL)  'TWIXT  CUP 
AND  LIP  =  a  thing  not  done 
may  spoil  in  the  doing ;  TO 
SLIP  INTO  =  (i)  to  attack,  and 
(2)  to  execute  with  vigour  ;  TO 
SLIP  UP  =  to  err,  to  trip ;  A  SLIP 
OF  THE  TONGUE  =  an  inadver- 
tency in  speech ;  TO  MAKE  A 
SLIP  =  to  give  chastity  the  go-by  : 
whence  see  SLIP,  ante  2. 

1563-4.  EDWARDES,  Damon  and 
Pithias  [DoosLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED), 
iv.].  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  565. 
Among  the  verbs  are  GIVE  HIM  THE  SLIP 


1570.  LAMBARDE,  Peramb.  of  Kent, 
422.  Many  things  happen  BETWEENE  THE 

CUP  AND  THE  LlPPE. 

1 596.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  in  Humour, 
u.  3.  It  s  no  matter  ...  if  I  cannot  GIVE 
him  THE  SLIP  at  an  instant. 

1599.  CHAPMAN,  Hum.  Day's  Mirth 
( Works  (1874),  39].  He  GAVE  us  THE  SLIP 
before  dinner. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  14.  He 
had  no  sooner  turn'd  his  back,  but  I 
pluck'd  too  the  wicket,  and  GAVE  him  THE 
SLIP. 

1726.  VANBRUGH,  Provoked  Hug' 
band,  ii.  i.  A  plague  on  him,  the  monkey 
has  GIN  us  THE  SLIP.  Ibid.,  v.  i.  While 
she  stood  gaping,  I  GAVE  her  THE  SLIP. 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Peregrine  Pickle, 
Ixxiii.  I  told  him  [a  doctor]  as  how  I 
could  SLIP  MY  CABLE  without  his  direction 
or  assistance. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Homer  Burlesqued, 
109.  Both  those  blades  had  SLIPT  THEIR 
WIND,  And  in  their  rough  fir  coffins  bound, 
Were  safe  from  brabbles  under  ground. 

C.T.  796.  WOLCOT,  P.  Pindar,  69.  And 
for  their  cats  that  happed  TO  SLIP  THEIR 
BREATH,  Old  maids,  so  sweet,  might 
mourn  themselves  to  death. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  177.  The  sequel  proved  .  .  . 
that  many  things  FALL  out  BETWEEN  THE 

CUP  AND  THE  LIP. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  Ixxvii.  Oh, 
oh  1  Sir  Reginald  thought  of  GIVING  ME 
THE  SLIP,  eh  ? 

1856.  READE,  Never  Too  Late,  &°c., 
x.  Give  him  the  right  stuff,  doctor  .  .  . 
and  he  won't  SLIP  HIS  WIND  this  time. 

1883.  Century  Mag.,  xxxvi.  279. 
SLIP  UP  in  my  vernacular?  How  could  I  ? 
I  talked  it  when  I  was  a  boy  with  the 
other  boys. 

1886.  Field,  25  Sep.  In  agonies  of 
fear  lest  our  stag  should  GIVE  us  THE  SLIP. 

SLIP-ALONG.     See  SLIPSHOD. 

SLIP-GIBBET  (-HALTER,  -ROPE, 
-STRING,  or  -THRIFT),  subs.  phr. 
(old).  — A  prodigal ;  one  deserving 
of  (or  who  has  cheated)  the  gal- 
lows (GROSE). 

[  ?  ].  MS.  Bright,  170,  f.  i.  Such  a 
SLIPPSTRING  trick  As  never  till  now  befell 
us  heretofore. 


Slippery. 


252 


Slip-shop. 


1593.  MARLOWE,  Lusts'    Dominion 
[DoosLEY,  Old  Plays(i%j6),  xiv.  149.]    As 
I  hope  for  mercy,  I  am  half  persuaded  that 
this  SLIP-HALTER  has  pawned  my  clothes. 

1594.  LYLY,   Mother  Bombie,   ii.  i. 
Thow  art  a  SLIPSTRING  I'le  warrant. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.  s.v.  Young 
rascals  or  scoundrels,  rakehells,  or  SLIP- 
STRINGS. 

1619.  FLETCHER,  A  King  and  No 
King,  ii.  Well,  SLIP-STRING,  I  shall  meet 
with  you. 

1621.  GRANGER,  Eccles,  273.  Thus 
it  is  in  the  house  of  prodigals,  drinking 
SLIPTHRIFTS,  and  Belials. 

^.1637.  DEKKER,  Londons  Tempe.  We 
are  making  arrowes  for  my  SLIP-STRING 
sonne. 


SLIPPERY,  subs,  (thieves'). — Soap: 
Fr.  glissant. 

Adj.  and  adv.  (old  colloquial  : 
now  recognised).  —  Untrust- 
worthy ;  false ;  wanton.  Also 
SLIPPER,  SLIPPY,  and  SLIP-SKIN. 
Whence  SLIPPERY  -  FELLOW  (or 
-TRICK)  =  ' deceitful'  (B.  E.)  : 
1  one  on  whom  there  can  be  no 
dependance '  (GROSE). 

i55?/  J-  BRENDE,  Tr.  Quintus  Cur- 
tius,  vii.  Fortune  ...  is  SLIPPER,  and 
cannot  bee  kept  against  her  will. 

[  ?  ].  Political  Poems  [E.  E.  T.  S.], 
60.  He  .  .  .  ofhisherte.  .  .  hathSLiPER 
holde. 

[  ?  ].  TAVERNER,  Adag.,  C.i.  Let 
this  example  teach  menne  not  to  truste  on 
the  SLIPPERNESSE  of  fortune. 

[  ?  ].  Parad.  of  Dainty  Devices,  £.3. 
SLIPPER  joy  of  certain  pleasure  here. 

1579.  SPENSER,    Shepheards    Kal., 
Nov.    153.     And  SLIPPER  hope  Of  mortal 
men  that  swinck  and  sweate  for  nought. 
Ibid. ,  Sep.     Long  time  he  used  this  SLIP- 
PERY prank. 

1580.  LYLY,    Euphues    [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,   i.   606.     Adjectives  are    em- 
ployed   in    new    senses    as    A     SLIPPERY 
PRANKE,  a  broad  jest  .  .  .  ]. 

rf.ist?].  TOTTENHAM,  Works,  i.  4. 
Because  it  is  more  currant  and  SLIPPER 
upon  the  tongue,  and  withal  tunable  and 
melodious. 


1602.  SHAKSPEARE,  Othello,  ii.  i, 
246.  A  SLIPPER  and  subtle  knave.  Ibid. 
(1604),  Winter's  Tale,  i.  2.  My  wife  is 
SLIPPERY.  Ibid.  (1610),  Coriol.,  iv.  4.  O 
world,  thy  SLIPPERY  turns. 

d.T.6oj.  BARNES,  Works,  283.  I  know 
they  bee  SLIPPER  that  I  have  to  do  wyth, 
and  there  is  no  holde  of  them. 

1619.  FLETCHER,  King  and  No 
King,  ii.  i.  Servants  are  SLIPPERY  :  but 
I  dare  give  my  word  for  her  and  her 
honesty  [chastity]. 

1641-2.  MILTON,  Animad.  Rem.  De- 
fence. A  pretty  SLIP-SKIN  conveyance  to 
sift  mass  into  no  mass.  Ibid.  (1641),  Prel. 
Epis.  Some  bad  and  SLIPPERY  men  in 
that  councell. 

2.  (common). — Quick. 

1902.  KERNAHAN,  Scoundrels,  vii. 
We  must  look  SLIPPY  about  it  ...  It's 
lucky  I  haven't  far  to  go. 

SLIP-SHOD,  adj.  (colloquial). — 
Careless ;  slovenly.  [That  is 
'slipper-shod.']  Also  SLIP-ALONG, 
SLIP-SLOP. 

1605.  SHAKSPEARE,  Lear,  i.  5.  Thy 
wit  shall  ne'er  go  SLIPSHOD. 

1818.  SCOTT,  Heart  of  Midlothian, 
i.  A  sort  of  appendix  to  the  half  bound, 
and  SLIP-SHOD  volumes  of  the  circulating 
library. 

1849.  MAITLAND,  Reformation,  559. 
It  would  be  less  worth  while  to  read  Fox's 
SLIP-ALONG  stories. 

1885.  D.  Tel.,  29  Aug.  Stilted 
phraseology  is  preferable  to  SLIP-SHOD. 

SLIP-SLOP,  subs.phr.  (colloquial). — 
i.  A  blunder.  As  adj.  =  slovenly, 
inaccurate  :  cf.  SLIPSHOD. 

.  1797.  D'ARBLAY,  Diary,  iv.  14.  He 
told  us  a  great  number  of  comic  SLIP-SLOPS 
of  the  first  Lord  Baltimore,  who  made  a 
constant  misuse  of  one  word  for  another. 

1849.  KINGSLEY,  Alton  Locke, 
xxxviii.  His  .  .  .  SLIP-SLOP  trick  of  using 
the  word  natural  to  mean,  in  one  sentence, 
'  material,'  and  in  the  next,  as  I  use  it,  only 
'  normal  and  orderly. ' 

2.  (common). — In//.  =  Shoes 
(or  slippers)  down  at  the  heels  : 
also  (Norfolk)  SLIP-SHOE. 


Slip-thrift. 


253 


Slog. 


Adj.  (colloquial).— Here  and 
there ;  *  all  over  the  shop ' :  also 
SLIP-SLAP  and  -verb. 

1721.  CENTLIVRE,  The  Artifice,  iii. 
I  ha'  found  her  fingers  SLIP-SLAP  this  a-\vay 
and  that  a-way,  like  a  flail  upon  a  wheat- 
sheaf. 

1870.  FARJEON,  Griff,  105.  The  dirty, 
broken  bluchers  in  which  Griff's  feet  SLIP- 
SLOPPED  constantly. 

See  SLOP. 
SLIP-THRIFT.    See  SLIP-GIBBET. 

SLIT,  subs,  (venery). — I.  The  female 
pudendum:  see  MONOSYLLABLE 
(HALLIWELL). 

1647-8.  HERRICK,  Hesperides, '  Upon 
Scobble.'  Good  Sir,  make  no  more  cuts  i' 
th'  outward  skin,  One  SLIT'S  enough  to  let 
Adultry  in. 

2.  (old).— A  pocket. 

i2[?].  King  Horn.  [E.  E.  T.  S.],  61. 
Thu  most  habbe  redi  mitte  Twenti  Marc 
ine  thi  SLITTE. 

SLITHER,  verb,  (common). — i.  To 
slip  ;  to  make  away  ;  to  smooth  ; 
and  3.  (American)  =  to  hurry. 

Also  SLITHERY  =  SLIPPERY (q.V.). 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown's  School- 
day  s>  ii.  iv.  After  getting  up  three  or  four 
feet  they  came  SLITHERING  to  the  ground, 
barking  their  arms  and  faces. 

1857.  KINGSLEY,  Two  Years  Ago, 
xxiv.  Gay  girls  SLITHERED  past  him, 
looked  round  at  him,  but  in  vain. 

18...  TENNYSON,  Northern  Cobbler. 
Once  of  a  frosty  night,  I  SLITHERED  and 
hurted  my  buck. 

1886.  Field,  13  Feb.  You  could  not 
estimate  the  distance  or  direction  to  which 
your  horse  might  SLITHER. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  244. 
They  might  'a'  SLITHERED  with  your 
goods  if  you  'adn't  been  so  mighty  sharp 
with  your  hands. 

SLIVE,  verb,  (old  colloquial). — To 
sneak  or  lounge  away ;  to  idle. 
SLIVE-ANDREW  =  a  good-for- 


nothing  ;  SLIVERLY  =  artful  ; 
SLiviNG  =  idle.  To  LET  SLIVE 
(American)  =  to  let  fly. 

1707.  CENTLIVRE,  Platonick  Love, 
iv.  I  know  her  gown  agen  :  I  minded  her 
when  she  SLIV'D  OFF.  Ibid.  (1710),  The 
Mans  Bewitched,  iii.  The  SLIVING 
baggage  will  not  come  to  a  resolution  yet. 

1725.  BAIL«Y,  Erasmus,  41.  What 
are  you  a  SLIVING  about,  you  drone  ?  You 
are  a  year  a  lighting  a  candle. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life.  As  soon 
as  I  clapped  peeper  on  him  I  let  SLIVER, 
when  the  varmint  dropped. 

SLOBBER,  subs,  (printers'). — Badly 
distributed  ink. 

Verb,  (colloquial). — i.  To  kiss 
effusively.      Also    as   subs,    and 

SLABBERING. 

1583.  STUBBES,  Amat.  Abuses,  114. 
What  bussing,  what  smouching,  and  SLAB- 
BERING one  of  another. 

a?.  1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  36.  The 
amatory  SLOBBER  which  is  comforting  but 
low. 

2.    (colloquial).  —  To    scamp 
work  :  also  TO  SLOBBER  OVER. 

SLOBBERDEGULLION.     See   SLUB- 

BERDEGULLION. 

SLOBBERER,  subs,  (provincial). — i. 
A  slovenly  farmer ;  and  (2)  a 
jobbing  tailor  (HALLIWELL). 

SLOBGOLLION,  subs,  (nautical). — 
'Whaleman's  term  for  an  oozy, 
stringy  substance  found  in  sperm 
oil'  (C.  RUSSELL). 

S  LOG,  subs,  (common). — i.  A  blow; 
and  (2)  a  bout  of  fisticuffs.  As 
verb.  =  (i)  to  hit,  or  work  hard  ; 
(2)  to  PUNISH  (£.z/.),  to  pound 
(pugilists'),  and  (3)  to  tackle  a 
matter  seriously.  Whence  SLOG- 
GING-MATCH  =  a  hard  fight  or 
tussle  ;  SLOGGER  =  (i)  a  pugilist 
given  to  hard  hitting,  and  (2)  a 


Slogger. 


254 


Slop. 


steady  worker  ;  SLOGGING  =  a 
beating,  a  fight ;  and  TO  HAVE  A 
SLOG  ON  =  to  put  on  a  spurt.  In 
America  the  spelling  SLUG,  SLUG- 
GER, &c.,  is  accepted. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green. 
His  whole  person  put  in  Chancery,  slung, 
bruised,  fibbed,  propped,  fiddled,  SLOGGED, 
and  otherwise  ill-treated. 

1857.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown's  School- 
days, i.  v.  The  SLOGGER  pulls  up  at  last 
.  .  .  fairly  blown. 

1878.  LANG,  Ballad  of  Boat-race. 
They  catch  the  stroke,  and  they  SLOG  it 
through. 

1885.  Standard,  i  Dec.     He  was  a 
vigorous  SLOGGER,  and  heartily  objected 
to  being  bowled  first  ball. 

1886.  Phil.   Times,   6   May.    There 
was  some  terrible   SLOGGING  .  .  .  Cleary 
planted    two  rib-roasters,   and  a  tap   on 
Langdon's  face. 

1887.  Fun,  9  Nov.,  201.     He  had  a 
1 '  merry  mill "    with   a    Thames    bargee, 
known  as  "Jim  the  SLOGGER,"  and  the 
SLOGGER  .  .  .  got  the  worst  of  the  scrap. 

1891.  Times,  14  Sep.  'Capital 
Punishment.'  They  top  a  lag  out  here  [W. 
Aus.]  for  SLOGGING  a  screw. 

[  ?  ].  E.  B.  MICHELL,  Boxing  and 
Sparring  [Century],  162.  SLOGGING  and 
hard  hitting  with  the  mere  object  of  doing 
damage  .  .  .  earn  no  credit  in  the  eyes 
of  a  good  judge. 

2.  (public  schools').— A  large 
portion  :  spec,  a  big  slice  of  cake. 

SLOGGER,  subs.  (Camb.  Univ.).—  i. 
A  boat  in  the  second  division :  cor- 
responding to  the  Oxford  Torpids. 

See  SLOG. 


SLOP,  subs,  (colloquial). — T.  In//. 
=  liquid  food  :  spec,  weak  tea  :  or 
'  any  thin  beverage  taken  medicin- 
ally' (GROSE):  also  SLIP-SLOP. 
As  adj.  =  feeble,  poor,  weak  ;  as 
verb.  =  to  eat  or  drink  greedily,  TO 
MOP  UP  (q.v.) :  also  TO  SLOP  (or 
SLAP)  UP,  or  TO  SLOP  IT  ;  SLOP- 


PING-UP  =  a  drinking  bout ;  SLOP- 
FEEDER  =  a  tea-spoon;  SLOP- 
TUBS  =  tea-things ;  SLIP-SLOPPY 
=  slushy,  watery. 

1515.  De  Generibus  Ebriosorum,  &c. 
[HODGKIN,  Notes  and  Queries,  3  S.  vii. 
163.  In  this  treatise  occurs  names  of  fancy 
drinks  ...  I  select  a  few  of  the  most  pre- 
sentable] SLIP-SLOP  .  .  .  Raise-head  .  .  . 
Swell-nose. 

1566.  STILL,  Gammer  Gurton's 
Needle  [DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  iii. 
193].  To  SLOP  UP  milk. 

1675.  COTTON,  Burlesque  on  Bur- 
lesque, 187.  No,  thou  shalt  feed  instead 
of  these  Or  your  SLIP-SLAPS  of  curds  and 
whey  On  Nectar  and  Ambrosia. 

1692.  DRYDEN,  Juvenal,  vi.  772.  But 
thou,  whatever  SLOPS  she  will  have 
brought,  Be  thankful. 

^.1704.  LESTRANGE,  Works  [Century]. 
The  sick  husband  here  wanted  for  neither 
SLOPS  nor  doctors. 

1821.  COMBE,  Dr.  Syntax,  m.  i.  At 
length  the  coffee  was  announced  .  .  .  '  And 
since  the  meagre  SLIP-SLOP'S  made,  I  think 
the  call  should  be  obeyed.' 

01.1832.  EDGWORTH,  Rose,  Thistle  and 
Shamrock,  iii.  2.  Does  he  expect  tea  can 
be  keeping  hot  for  him  to  the  end  of  time  ? 
He'll  have  nothing  but  SLOP-DASH. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingold.  Leg.,  n.  291. 
There  was  no  taking  refuge  .  .  .  On  a 
SLIP-SLOPPY  day,  in  a  cab  or  a  bus. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps.  Ypnkers 
Slim  was  going  to  meet  him  m  Washington 
with  some  money,  and  the  bums  in- 
tended to  have  a  great  SLOPPIN'-UP. 

2.  (nautical). — In  //.  = '  Wear- 
ing apparel  and  bedding  used  by 
seamen '  (GROSE).  Hence  ready- 
made  clothing.  SLOP-SELLER  = 
a  dealer  in  ready-made  clothes 
(GROSE)  ;  SLOP  -  CHEST = a  ship's 
supply  of  clothes  and  bedding : 
usually  doled  out  at  cost  price ; 
SLOP-BOOK  =  the  register  of  sup- 
plies ;  SLOP-WORK  =  (i)  the 
cheapest :  hence  (2)  any  work 
poorly  done;  SLOPPY  =  ill-fitting. 
[Originally  '  an  outer  garment 
made  of  linen  '  (WRIGHT)]. 


Slop. 


255  Sloped s  Island. 


1530.  PALSGRAVE,  Lang,  Francoyse. 
Payre  of  SLOPPE  HOSES,  braiettes  a, 
marinier. 

1555.  EDEN,  Works  [ARBER],  327. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  English,  i.  535.  We 
hear  of  mariner's  SLOPPES  ;  this  old  word 
for  vestes  seems  henceforth  to  have  been 
restricted  to  seamen.] 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Homer  Burlesque, 
205.  One  kept  a  SLOP-SHOP  in  Rag  Fair. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lon.  Lab.,  11. 
47.  It  was  good  stuff  and  good  make  .  .  . 
that's  the  reason  why  it  always  bangs  a 

SLOP. 

1882.  Queen,  7  Oct.  It  must  not  be 
imagined  that,  to  be  easy,  dress  must 
necessarily  be  SLOPPY. 

1886.  D.  News.,  3  Dec.     The  harsh 
oppressive  middleman,  and  the   heartless 
indifferent  SLOPSELLER  have  sat  for  their 
portraits  again  and  again. 

1887.  Fish,  of  U.  S.,  v.  2.  226  {.Cen- 
tury}.    If  a  poor  voyage  has  been  made, 
or  if   the  man  has  drawn  on  the  SLOP- 
CHEST  .  .  .  [so]  as  to  ruin  his  credit,  he 
becomes  bankrupt  ashore. 

3.  (common). — A  tailor. 

4.  (back   slang).  —  A    police- 
man :  a  corruption  of  '  esclop.' 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.  I 
wish  I'd  been  there  to  have  a  shy  at  the 
ESCLOPS. 

£.1870.  Music  Hall  Song  [S.  J.  &  C.]. 
Never  to  take  notice  of  vulgar  nicknames, 
such  at  SLOP,  "copper,"  "rabbit-pie 
shifter,"  "peeler." 

1886.  SIMS,  Ballads  of  Babylon  .  .  . 
I  dragged  you  in  here  and  saved  you,  and 
sent  out  a  gal  for  the  SLOPS. 

1887.  Fun,  9  Nov.,  201.   A  vanishing 
point  [is]  the  corner  you  bunks  round  when 
the  SLOP'S  after  yer. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St. ,  49.  She 
is  Boadicea  ...  a  right-down  raughty  gal 
leading  her  alley  to  battle  against  the 
Roman  SLOPS. 

5.  (Christ's  Hospital). —A  term 
of  contempt. 

Verb.  (colloquial).  —  I.  To 
make  a  mess  ;  to  walk  or  work 
in  the  wet. 


1888.  MURRAY,  Weaker  Vessel,  xi. 
He  came  SLOPPING  on  behind  me,  with  the 
peculiar  sucking  noise  at  each  footstep 
which  broken  boots  make  on  a  wet  and 
level  pavement. 

To  SLOP  OVER,  verb.  phr. 
(colloquial). — To  enter  into  with 
enthusiasm,  and  speak,  write,  or 
act  like  a  fool ;  to  put  on  SIDE 
(q.v.) ;  to  make  a  mistake. 

1859.  BROWNE,  Fourth  o/  July  Ora- 
tion [Works  (1899),  124].  The  pievailin' 
weakness  of  most  public  men  is  TO  SLOP 
OVER  .  .  .  They  get  filled  up  and  SLOP. 
They  rush  things.  Washington  never 
SLOPPED  OVER. 

1888.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxviii.  818. 
One  of  his  great  distinctions  was  his 
moderation  .  ,  .  he  never  SLOPPED  OVER. 


SLOPE,  verb,  (common). — To  run 
away  ;  to  BUNK  (q.v.).  As  subs. 
=  an  escape :  e.g. ,  TO  DO  A 

SLOPE. 

i8[?].  Ballad  of  Blouzelinda  [BART- 
LETT].  He  .  .  .  made  a  SLOPE,  and  went 
off  to  Texas. 

1844.  HALIBURTON,  The  Attache, 
xxvii.  They  jist  run  like  a  flock  of  sheep 
...  and  SLOPE  off,  properly  skeered. 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life.  The 
Editor  of  the  "Eagle"  cannot  pay  his 
board  bill,  and  fears  are  entertained  that 
he  will  SLOPE  without  liquidating  the  debt. 

c.i866.  VANCE,  Chick-a-leary  Cove. 
Now,  my  pals,  I'm  going  to  SLOPE,  See 
you  soon  again  I  hope. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  17.  So  she 
SLOPED  from  her  Brummy. 

2.  (Old  Cant).—  See  quot. 

1610.  ROWLANDS,  Martin  Mark-all 
[Hunt.  Club  Rep.  (1874),  38].  Cowch  a 
hogshead  ...  is  like  an  Alminacke  that 
is  out  of  date  ;  now  the  duch  word  TO 
SLOPE  is  with  them  vsed  to  sleepe,  and 
liggen,  to  lie  downe. 


SLOPER'S  ISLAND,  subs.  phr.  (Lon- 
don). —  A  weekly  tenement 
neighbourhood  :  spec.  c.  1870  the 
Artisan's  Village  near  Lough- 
borough  Junction,  originally  in 


Stopper. 


256 


Slouch. 


the  midst  of  fields;  now  in  the 
centre  of  a  densely  populated 
neighbourhood. 

SLOPPER,  subs.  (The  Leys  School). 
— A  slop  basin :  cf.  FOOTER, 
BREKKER,  &c. 

SLOPPY,  adj.  (colloquial). — Loose  ; 
slovenly. 

1890.  Academy,  29  Mar.,  218.  [To] 
teach  a  great  number  of  sciences  and  lan- 
guages in  an  elementary  and  SLOPPY  way. 

SLOSH,  subs,  (common). — A  drink. 
1888.       Cornhill   Mag.,    Oct.      Bar- 
meat  and  corn-cake  washed  down  with  a 
generous  SLOSH  of  whiskey. 

Verb.  (American). — Togo  here 
and  there  ;  TO  KNOCK  ABOUT  (g.v.). 

1854.  Cairo  (111.)  Times,  Nov.  To 
walk  backward  and  forward  through  the 
crowd,  with  a  big  stick  in  his  hand,  and 
knock  down  every  loose  man  in  the  crowd. 
That's  what  I  call  SLOSHING  ABOUT. 

1876.  CLEMENS,  Tom  Sawyer,  67. 
How  could  [witches']  charms  work  till 
midnight  ? — and  then  it's  Sunday.  Devils 
don't  SLOSH  AROUND  much  of  a  Sunday. 

1888.  Detroit  Free  Press,  8  Dec. 
When  I  was  a  young  man  I  had  to  SLOSH 
AROUND  dark,  wet  nights  in  rubbers  that 
didn't  fit. 

SLOSH ER,  subs.  (Cheltenham  Col- 
lege).— A  boarding-house  assis- 
tant :  they  are  charged  with 
superintending  dormitories,  the 
evening  work,  &c. 

SLOUCH,  subs,  (old  and  still  collo- 
quial).— I.  A  clumsy  lout,  an 
idler ;  hence  (2)  anything  indif- 
ferent :  usually  in  phrase  '  no 
SLOUCH '  ;  and  (3)  an  awkward 
lumpish  gait.  As  verb.  —  to  walk 
lumpishly  or  sullenly;  SLOUCH- 
ING (or  SLOUGHY)  =  awkward, 
ungainly,  heavy  (GROSE). 

[  ?  ].  MS.  Gloucester  .  .  .  SLOWCH, 
a  lazy  lubber,  who  has  nothing  tight  about 
him,  with  his  stockings  about  his  heels,  his 
clothes  unbutton'd,  and  his  hat  flapping 
about  his  ears. 


374. 


1570.  LEVINS,  Manip.  Vocal. 
[E.  E.  T.  S.],  217.  A  SLOUKE,  iners,  ertis, 
ignarus. 

1578.  WHETSTONE,  Promos  and 
Cassandra,  47.  Thou  filthie  fine  SLOUCH. 

l633-  JONSON,  Tale  of  a  Tub,  iv.  5. 
I  think  the  idle  SLOUCH  Be  fallen  asleep  in 
the  barn. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  I.  vii.  20. 
You  sooty,  smutty,  nasty  SLOUCH. 

1714.  GAY,  Shepherd's  Week,  \. 
Begin  thy  carols  then,  thou  vaunting 
SLOUCH  ;  Be  thine  the  oaken  staff,  or  mine 
the  pouch. 

d.  1745.  SWIFT,  Works  [Century}.  Our 
doctor  .  .  .  hath  a  sort  of  SLOUCH  in  his 
walk. 

1785.  COWPER,  Task,  iv.  639.  He 
stands  erect  ;  his  SLOUCH  becomes  a  walk. 

1837.      BARHAM,    Ingolds.    Leg.,   ii. 
In  a  few  minutes  his  .  .  .  figure  was 
seen  SLOUCHING  UP  the  ascent. 

1866.  ELIOT,  Felix  Holt,  Intro. 
The  shepherd  with  a  slow  and  SLOUCHING 
walk  .  .  .  moved  aside,  as  if  unwillingly. 

1869.  CLEMENS,    The  Innocents    at 
Home,  ii.     He  was  always  nifty  himself, 
and  so  you  bet  his  funeral  ain't  going  to  be 
no  SLOUCH. 

1870.  Chambers'  Journal,    9    July, 
447.     He  sees    a    SLOUCHING,  shambling 
hulk  of  a  fellow  standing  listlessly  in  a 
doorway. 

1877.  Scribner's  Mag.,  Sep.,  510. 
Bow-legged,  SLOUCHY,  ungraceful  and 
inactive. 

1877.  Century  Ma/-.,  xxv.  176. 
Looking  like  a  SLOUCHY  country  bumpkin. 

1881.  O.  W.  HOLMES,  Old  Volume 
of  Life,  58.  They  looked  SLOUCH  v,  list- 
less, torpid—  an  ill  conditioned  crew. 

1885.  West.  Rev.,  cxxv.  85.  He  had 
a  long,  strong,  uncouth  body  ;  rather 
rough-hewn  SLOUCHING  features. 

iSt?]^  H.  KENDALL,  Billy  Vickers. 
He  has,  in  fact,  the  SLOUCH  and  dress, 
Which  bullock-puncher  stamp  him. 

1885.  D.  Tel.,  14  Sep.  A  child 
taken  by  a  SLOUCHING  villain. 

1887.  MORLEY  ROBERTS,  Western 
Avernus.  A  rustler  .  .  .  means  a  worker, 
an  energetic  man,  and  no  SLOUCH  can  be  a 
rustler. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xi.  It  is 
near  bedtime,  and  those  ...  to  stay  for 
the  night  are  SLOUCHING  to  the  lairs. 


Slour. 


257 


Slug. 


4.  (common).  —  A  slouch-hat 
(i.e.,  a  hat  with  a  broad  and 
drooping  brim). 

1818.  SCOTT,  Midlothian,  xliii. 
Even  the  old  bat  looked  smarter  ...  in- 
stead of  SLOUCHING  backward  or  forward 
on  the  laird's  head,  as  it  was  thrown  on. 
Ibid.,  iii.  A  sailor's  cap  SLOUCHED  over 
his  face. 

1871.  Scribner's  Mag.,  Sep.  A  big, 
farmer-looking  fellow  in  a  SLOUCH-HAT. 

1889.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxix.  38. 
Middle-aged  men  in  SLOUCH  HATS  lounee 
around  with  hungry  eyes. 

SLOUR,  adv.  (Old  Cant).—'  To  lock 
up  ;  to  fasten ;  to  button  up  one's 
coat;  to  make  all  secure'  (GROSE). 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  iii.  v. 
No  SLOUR'D  hoxter  my  snipes  could  stay. 

SLOW,  subs,  (old  colloquial). — A 
sluggard ;  a  lazybones. 

[  ?  ].  M.S.  Douce,  52  [HALLIWELL]. 
Lothe  to  bedde  and  lothe  fro  bedde,  men 
schalle  know  the  SLOW. 

Adv.  (colloquial). — i.  Stupid  ; 
spiritless;  tedious. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Newcomes,  xlix. 
The  party  was  what  you  young  fellows 
call  SLOW. 

i86[?].  F.  LOCKER,  Reply  to  a  Letter. 
The  girls  I  love  now  vote  me  SLOW. 

1874.  Siliad,  97.  Whither  shall  we 
go?  The  Judge  and  Jury?  No,  that's 
awful  SLOW. 

2.  (Winchester). — Ignorant  of 
Winchester  NOTIONS  (q.v.~). 

SLOW- BACK,  subs,  phr,  (old). — A 
loafer. 

1619.  FAVOUR,  A  ntiq.  Triumph  over 
Novelty,  63.  The  SLOW-BACKS  and  lazie 
bones  uill  none  of  this. 

SLOWCOACH,  subs,  (colloquial). — i. 
A  dullard  ;  a  lout.  Also  (2)  a 
dawdler.  Hence  (3)  an  antique  ; 
a  fossil. 

1857.  E.  B.  RAMSAY,  Scottish  Life 
and  Character,  114.  I  dare  say  the  girl 
you  are  sending  will  be  very  useful  to  us  : 
our  present  one  is  a  very  SLOW-COACH. 


SLOW-UP,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). — 
A  slackening  of  speed.  Also  as 
verb.  =  to  go  easy. 

SLUBBERDEGULLION,  suds.  (old). — 
*  A  slovenly,  dirty,  nasty  Fellow ' 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE).  Also  SLAB- 
BERDEGULLION.  As  adj.  =  paltry, 
dirty. 

1619.  FLETCHER,  Custom  of  tJte 
Country,  i.  2.  Yes,  they  are  knit ;  but 
must  this  SLUBBERDEGULLION  Have  her 
maidenhead  now? 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Laugh  and  be  Fat, 
73.  Contaminous,  pestiferous,  preposter- 
ous, stygmatical  Slavonians,  SLUBBERDE- 
GULLIONS. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  xxv. 
Calling  them  .  .  .  slapsauce  fellows, 
SLABBERDEGULLION  druggels,  lubbardly 
louts  .  .  . 

1656.  Mus.  Del.,  79.  He's  an  oxe, 
and  an  asse,  and  a  SLUBBERDEGULLION. 

1663.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  i.  iii.  885. 
Thow  hast  deserved,  Base  SLUBBERDEGUL- 
LION, to  be  served  As  thou  didst  vow  to 
deal  with  me. 

SLUED.    See  SLEWED. 

SLUG,  subs,  (old  colloquial).  — 
Generic  for  sloth.  Thus  (i)=a 
drone,  a  lazybones  :  also  SLUG-A- 
BED, and  (now  accepted)  SLUG- 
GARD ;  2.  (old)  =  a  hindrance  ; 
and  (3)  =  a  slow-paced  boat,  horse, 
&c.,  or  (B.  E.)  a  dull-edged  tool. 
As  adj.  (also  SLUGGISH  and 
SLUGGY)  =  lazy,  slow  ;  as  verb.  = 
(i)  to  laze,  and  (2)  to  hinder. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  '  The 
Parson's  Tale.'  Then  cometh  .  .  .  SLUGGY 
slumbring  which  maketh  a  man  hevy. 

1440.  Prompt.  Parv.,  460.  SLUGGYN, 
desidio,  torpeo. 

i4[?].  Political  Poems  [E.  E.  T.  S.], 
32.  The  SLUGGE  lokyth  to  be  holpe  of 
God  that  commawndyth  men  to  waake  in 
the  worlde. 

1590.  SPENSER,  Fairy  Queen,  n.  i. 
23,  3.  To  SLUG  in  slouth  and  sensuall  de- 
lights. Ibid.  (^.1599),  State  of  Ireland. 
He  lay  not  all  night  SLUGGING  in  a  cabin 
under  his  mantle. 


Slug. 


258 


Slum. 


15513.  SHAKSPEARE,  Comedy  of  Er- 
rors, ri.  2.  Thou  drone,  thou  snail,  thou 
SLUG.  Ibid.  (1595),  Romeo  and  Juliet,  iv. 
5,  2.  Why,  lamb !  why,  lady !  fie,  you 

SLUG- A- BED. 

1605.  BACON,  Adv.  of  Learning. 
They  are  .  .  .  hindrances  to  stay  and 
SLUG  the  ship  for  further  sailing.  Ibid. 
(1597-1624),  Essays,  'Of  Usury.'  Money 
would  be  stirring  if  it  were  not  for  this 
SLUGGE. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Paresser. 
To  SLUGGE  it,  to  laze  it,  to  liue  idly. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan,  III. 
n.  iii.  i.  A  SLUG,  a  fat  lustilugs. 

1635.  QUARLES,  Emblems  [NARES]. 
One  spends  his  day  in  plots,  his  night  in 
play  ;  another  sleeps  and  SLUGS  both  night 
and  day.  Ibid.,  i.  13.  Lord,  when  we 
leave  the  world  and  come  to  thee,  How 
dull,  how  SLUG  are  we. 

1641.  MILTON,  Reformation  inEng., 
i.  It  is  still  episcopacy  that  .  .  .  worsens 
and  SLUGGS  the  most  learned  and  seeming 
religions  of  our  ministers. 

1648.  HERRICK,  Hesperides,  'To 
Corinna  Going  a-Maying."  Get  up  sweet 
SLUG-A-BED,  And  see  the  dew  bespangles 
herb  and  tree. 

1652.  SHIRLEY,  Brothers  .  .  .  Car. 
Will  none  deliver  me?  Lu.  They  are 
somewhat  SLUG. 

1659.  GAUDEN,  Tears  of  the  Church, 
381.  Which  soon  grew  a  SLUG,  when  once 
the  North-wind  ceased  to  fill  its  sailes. 

1666.  PEPYS,  Diary,  17  Oct.  His 
rendevouz  for  his  fleet  and  for  all  SLUGGS 
to  come. 

.    Ency.  Brit.,  xii.  199.     A  SLUG 
rmst  be  kep*   — -'--    - 
petuous  one  restran 


[horse]  must  be  kept  going,  and  an  im- 
trained. 


4.  (old). — A  dram.     Hence  TO 
FIRE  (or  CANT)  A  SLUG  =  to  drink 
(GROSE). 

1762.  SMOLLETT,  L.  Greaves,  n.  v. 
He  ordered  the  waiter  ...  to  ...  bring 
alongside  a  short  allowance  of  brandy  or 
grog  that  he  might  CANT  A  SLUG  into  his 
breadroom. 

5.  (American).  —  An  ingot  of 
gold ;     a    twenty  -  dollar    piece 
(Ency.    Diet.},   but    in    Century 
Diet,  'a  gold  coin  of  the  value 


of  fifty  dollars  privately  issued  in 
San  Francisco  during  the  mining 
excitement  of  1849.' 

1890.  San  Francisco  Bulletin,  10 
May.  An  interesting  reminder  of  early 
days  in  California  in  the  shape  of  a  round 
fifty-dollar  SLUG.  .  .  .  But  fifty  of  these 
round  fifty-dollar  pieces  were  issued  when 
orders  came  from  the  East  prohibiting  pri- 
vate coinage. 

SLUGGER.    See  SLOGGER. 

SLUICE,  verb,  (common).  —  i.  The 
mouth  :  also  SLUICE-HOUSE.  As 
verb.  :  e.g.,  TO  SLUICE  THE  BOLT 
(DOMINOES,  GOB,  or  IVORIES)  = 
to  drink  heartily  :  see  DOM  I  NOES 
(GROSE).  Whence  SLUICERY  = 
a  public-house  (GROSE). 

1840.  EG  AN,  Book  of  Sports.  Sam's 
SLUICE-HOUSE  was  again  severely  damaged. 

2.  (venery).  —  The  female  pzi- 
dendum:  see  MONOSYLLABLE. 


BROWN,  Works,  ii.  184.  That 
whore,  my  wife  .  .  .  that  us'd  to  open  her 
SLUICE  ...  to  gratify  her  concupiscense. 

Verb,  (colloquial).—  To  paddle; 
to  bathe  (or  wet)  freely. 

^.1859.  DEQUINCEY,  Works  (Century). 
He  dried  his  neck  and  face  which  he  had 
been  SLUICING  with  cold  water. 

1860.  RUSSELL,  Diary  in  India,  i.  4. 
The  great  seas  .  .  .  SLUICING  the  decks 
with  a  mimic  ocean. 

To  SLUICE  OFF,  verb.  phr. 
(American).—  To  divert  ;  to  lay 
aside. 

1862.  Congregationalist,  3  June. 
Some  of  present  earning  must  thus  be 
SLUICED  OFF,  to  repair  the  poverty  of  the 


SLUM,  s^lbs.  (old  and  thieves'). — i. 
Nonsense  ;  a  trick  ;  a  swindle  : 
e.g.,  a  sham  begging  letter,  a  roll 
of  '  snide  '  notes,  &c.  Hence  UP 
TO  SLUM  =  knowing,  not  to  be 

HAD  (q.V.)  ;  TO  FAKE  THE  SLUM 
=  to  do  the  trick.  2  (old)  =  idle 
talk  (see  quots.  1821  and  1823). 


Slum. 


259 


Slump. 


As  verb.  =  (i)  to  trick,  to  cheat ; 
and  (2)  to  talk  idly,  or  to  speak 
slang. 

^.1821.  RANDALL,  Diary  (GROSE,  3rd 
ed.  [1823]).  And  thus,  without  more  SLUM, 
began. 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  SLUM— 
loose  ridiculous  talk  is  all  SLUM  !  '  None 
of  your  SLUM  '  is  said  by  a  girl  to  a  blarney- 
ing chap  .  .  .  The  gypsy  language,  or 
cant,  is  SLUM  .  .  .  Dutch  Sam  excelled  in 
SLUMMERY — '  Willus  youvus  givibus  glasso 
ginibus.' 

1851.  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.  That 
was  his  leading  SLUM,  and  pretty  well  he 
sponged  them  too.  Ibid.  (1856),  Gt. 
World  of  London,  46.  Screevers  or  the 
writers  of  SLUMS  and  fakements. 

2.  (old).— Originally  a  room 
[GROSE :  also  see  quots.  1823, 
s.v.  sense  I  and  infra].  Also  3 
(modern)  =  a  squalid  street  or 
neighbourhood  ;  a  ROOKERY 
(q.v.)  :  usually  in//,  with  'back.' 
As  verb.  =  (i)  to  explore  poor 
quarters  out  of  curiosity  or  charity ; 
2  (Univ.)  to  keep  to  back  streets 
to  avoid  observation ;  and  3 
(common)  to  keep  in  the  back- 
ground. 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  SLUM 
.  .  .  also  the  room  in  which  persons  meet 
who  talk  in  that  style  [see  sense  i] ;  thus 
we  may  have  '  the  little  SLUM,'  or  '  the 
great  SLUM,'  'a  dirty  SLUM,'  or  '  a  pretty 
SLUM,'  '  the  back  SLUM,'  and  a  SLUM  in 
front.  Derived  from  slumber,  to  sleep, 
the  molls  and  coves  napping  nine  winks  at 
those  places. 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
ii.  3.  Let's  have  a  dive  amongst  the 
cadgers  in  the  back  SLUMS  in  the  Holy 
Land. 

1872.  BLACK,  Adv.  of  Phaeton,  xviii. 
When  one  gets  clear  of  the  suburban 
SLUMS  and  the  smoke  of  Liverpool,  a  very 
respectable  appearance  of  real  country-life 
becomes  visible. 

1884.  Referee,  22  June.     A  wealthy 
lady  went  SLUMMING  through  the  Dials 
the  other  day. 

1885.  Echo,  8  Sep.     There  is  little  in 
the  author's  observations  on   SLUMS  and 
SLUM  LIFE  that  has  not  been  said  before. 


^.1894.  YATES,  London  Life,  i.  ii. 
Gone  is  the  Rookery,  a  conglomeration  of 
SLUMS  and  alleys  in  the  heart  of  St.  Giles's. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  74.  It 
was  really  a  SLUM,  where  the  greens 
always  hum.  Ibid.,  97.  But  it  [love] 
wouldn't  be  SLUMMED  like  a  worm  in  the 
bud. 

4.  (thieves').  —  A    letter,     a 
package  :  anything  in  hand. 

5.  (Punch    and    Judy).  —  The 
call ;    SLUM- FAKE  =  the    coffin  ; 
SLUMMING  =  acting. 

1872.  BRADHON,  Dead  Sea  Fruit, 
xiv.  The  gorger's  awfully  coally  on  his 
own  SLUMMING,  eh? 

SLUMGULLION,  subs.  (American). — 
i.  A  representative ;  a  servant 
[BARTLETT]. 

SLUMGUZZLE,  verb.  (American). — 
To  deceive.  Hence  SLUM- 
GUZZLING  =  humbuggery  [BART- 
LETT]. 

SLUM  MY,  subs,  (common). — A  ser- 
vant-girl. 

SLUMP,  subs.  (Stock  Exchange  and 
colloquial). — i.  A  sudden  fall : 
of  prices  ;  an  ignominious  failure  : 
e.g.)  a  SLUMP  in  Kaffirs.  As 
verb.  =  to  fall  heavily  (Scots') 
SLUMP  =  all  of  a  piece  ;  to  come 
down  with  a  rush. 

1888.  H  DWELLS,  Annie  Kilburn, 
xxv.  What  a  SLUMP  !  .  .  .  That  blessed 
shortlegged  little  seraph  has  spoilt  the 
best  sport  that  ever  was. 

2.  (common). — A  gross  amount ; 
the  whole:  e.g.  'a  SLUMP  sum.' 
As  verb.  =  \.Q  lump,  or  group  to- 
gether. 

^.1856.  SIR  W.  HAMILTON,  Works 
(Century).  The  different  groups  .  .  .  are 
exclusively  SLUMPED  together  under  that 
sense. 

1870.  W.  MATHEWS,  Getting  on  in 
the  World,  20.  SLUMPING  the  tempta- 
tions which  were  easy  to  avoid  with  those 
which  were  comparatively  irresistible. 


Slung. 


260 


Sly. 


3.  (American    College). —To 
recite  badly  ;  to  fail  ;  to  bungle. 

SLUNG.  SLUNG  OUT  ON  HANDS 
AND  KNEES,  phr.  (tailors'). — In- 
stantly dismissed. 

SLUR,  subs.  verb.  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE).— i.  'A  Cheat  at  Dice  ; 
also  a  slight  Scandal  or  Affront.' 
Hence  (2)  to  cheat. 

1664.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  n.  ii. 
What  was  the  public  faith  found  out  for 
But  to  SLUR  men  out  of  what  they  fought 
for.  Ibid.,  Remains,  'Misc.  Thoughts.' 
Some  flug'ring  trick  or  SLUR. 

1680.  Compleat  Gamester,  ii.  SLUR- 
RING—that  is  by  taking  up  your  dice  as 
you  will  have  them  advantageously  lie  in 
your  hand,  placing  the  one  atop  the  other, 
not  caring  if  the  uppermost  run  a  mill- 
stone ...  if  the  undermost  run  without 
turning. 

SLUSH,  subs,  (nautical). — I.  Food. 
Hence  2.  (GROSE)  =  a  foul 
feeder  :  also  SLUSH-BUCKET  ; 
SLUSHER  (or  SLUSHY),  see  quot. 
1890.  Also  3  (old)  =  a  drunkard. 

1890.  Argus,  20  Sept.,  13,  6.  Sun- 
days are  the  most  trying  days  of  all,  say 
the  cuisiniers  .  .  .  This  man's  assistant  is 
called  the  SLUSHER. 

1896.  PATERSON,  Man  from  Snowy 
River,  162.  The  tarboy,  the  cook,  and 
the  SLUSHY  .  .  .  with  the  rest  of  the 
shearing  horde. 

4.  (American  journalists'). — In- 
different matter;  PADDING  (q.v.). 

SLUT,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A  dirty 
housewife  ;  (2)  =  an  awkward 
person  or  thing ;  (3)  a  WENCH 
(q.v.)  :  cf.  QUEAN  ;  (4)  a  bitch. 
As  verb.  =  to  befoul ;  SLUTTERY 
(also  SLUTTISHNESS)  =  neglect ; 
SLUTTISH  =  (i)  wanton;  and  (2) 
untidy. 

14!?].  Babees  Book  [E.  E.  T.  S.], 
158.  Crabbe  is  a  SLUTT  to  kerve,  and  a 
wrawd  wight ;  Breke  euery  clawe  a 
sondur. 


1483.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  '  Prol. 
to  Canon  Yeoman's  Tale,'  83.  Why  is  thy 
lord  so  SLUTTISH  ? 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Merry  Wives  of 
Windsor,  v.  v.  50.  Our  radiant  queen 
hates  SLUTS  and  SLUTTERY. 

1615.  SYLVESTER,  Tobacco  Battered. 
Don  Tobacco's  damnable  Infection  SLUT- 
TING the  Body. 

1648.  HERRICK,  Hesperides,  'Ex- 
cesse.'  Excesse  is  SLUTTISH  ;  keepe  the 
meane ;  for  why  ?  Vertue's  clean  con- 
clave is  sobriety. 

1664.  PEPYS,  Diary,  21  Feb.  Our 
little  girl  Susan  is  a  most  admirable  SLUT, 
and  pleases  us  mightily,  doing  more  ser- 
vice than  both  the  others;  Ibid.  (1665),  7 
Nov.  He  carried  his  glass  with  him  fui 
his  man  to  let  him  drink  out  of  at  the 
Duke  of  Albemarle's,  where  he  intended  to 
dine,  though  this  he  did  to  prevent  SLUT- 
TERY. 

</.i704.  BROWN,  Works,  i.  338.  The 
young  SLUT  never  looked  so  gay  and 
pleasant  in  her  life. 

1705.  VANBRUGH,  Confederacy,  iii.  2. 
I  have  managed  Master  Gripe's  little 
affairs  for  him  these  ten  years,  you  SLUT, 
you  ! 

1712.  ADDISON,  Spectator,  No.  130. 
You  see  now  and  then  some  handsome 
young  jades  among  them  [gypsies];  the 
SLUTS  have  very  often  white  teeth  and 
black  eyes. 

1862.  THACKERAY,  Philip,  xiii.  I 
gave  my  cousin  this  dog  .  .  .  and  the  little 
SLUT  remembers  me. 

SLY,  adj.  and  adv.  (GROSE). — 
'  Under  the  rose  ;  transacting 
business  privately  is  frequently 
said  to  be  done  UPON  THE  SLY  ' ; 
illicit  :  also  BY  THE  SLY  ;  TO 
RUN  SLY  =  to  escape,  to  evade. 

c.i  787.  Kilmainham  Minit  [Ireland 
Sixty  Years  Ago,  88].  But  if  dat  de  slang 
you  RUN  SLY,  The  scrag-boy  may  yet  be 
outwitted,  And  I  scout  again  on  de  lay. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lon.  Lab.,  i. 
318.  A  SLY  trade's  always  the  best  for 
paying,  and  for  selling  too. 

1871-2.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch, 
Ixxviii.  Selling  myself  for  any  devil's 
change  BY  THE  SLY. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Culture  in  the  Slums. 
I  keeps  a  dado  ON  THE  SLY. 


Slyboots. 


261 


Small. 


SLYBOOTS,  subs,  (old).—  A  seem- 
ingly simple  but  really  clever  and 
designing  fellow  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE). 

c.iSSo.  NORTH,  Lives  of  the  Norths, 
169.  [Lord  Guildford  was  nicknamed] 
SLYBOOTS. 

1729.  ADDISON,  Adv.  ofAbdalla,  32. 
The  frog  call'd  .  .  .  several  times,  but  in 
vain  .  .  .  though  the  SLY-BOOTS  heard 
well  enough  all  the  while. 

SMABBLED  (or  SNABBLED),  adj. 
(GROSE).—  Killed  in  battle. 

SMACK  (B.  E.  <r.i686).—  i.  'A 
Twang  or  ill  Taste.' 

2.  (tailors').  —  A    liking  ;     a 
fancy  :     e.g.     '  He    had    a    real 
SMACK  for  the  old  'un  '  :  cf.  (old 

colloquial)       SMACKERING    =    '  a 
longing  for'    (BAILEY). 

3.  (colloquial).  —  A  kiss  :  also 
SMACKER.     Whence  TO   SMACK 
CALF'S  SKIN  (common)  =  to  take 
oath. 

1786. 

CK  s 

cadger's  whip. 


BURNS,   Jolly   Beggars.      Ilk 
SMACK  still,   did  crack   still,   Just  like  a 
' 


1809.  IRVING,  Hist.  N.  York,  171. 
The  gentlemen  gallantly  attended  their  fair 
ones  to  their  respective  abodes,  and  took 
leave  of  them  with  a  hearty  SMACK. 

1860.  DICKENS,  Uncom.  Traveller, 
'  Titbull's  Almshouses."  Heard  the  sound 
of  a  SMACK  —  a  SMACK  which  was  not  a 
blow. 

SMACK  SMOOTH,  phr.  (collo- 
quial). —  '  Level  with  the  surface  ; 
everything  cut  away  '  (GROSE). 

1790.  DIBDIN,  Poor  Jack.  Though 
the  tempest  the  topgallant  mast  SMACK 
SMOOTH  should  smite. 

SMACKING-COVE,  subs.  phr.  (Old 
Cant).  —  A  coachman  (B.  E., 
BAILEY  and  Grose). 

SMALL,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  i.  In 
pi.  =  breeches  :  spec,  the  close- 
fitting  knee-breeches  of  the  iSth 


and  early    igth    centuries  :   also 

SMALL  -  CLOTHES  [GROSE  :  '  A 
gird  at  the  affected  delicacy  of  the 
present  age  ;  a  suit  being  called 
coat,  waistcoat,  and — articles  or 
SMALL  CLOTHES']. 

1812.  COOMBE,  Syntax,   i.  20.     His 
SMALL-CLOTHES  sat  so  close  and  tight,  His 
boots,  like  jet,  were  black  and  bright. 

1813.  STEPHENS  [Anti-Jacobin  Rev. 
of    Life    of    Home    Took,     quoted    by 
SOUTHEY,    Doctor,    Interchap.    xx.]    His 
breeches     he    [STEPHENS]    calls    SMALL 
CLOTHES  ;  the  first  time  we  have  seen  this 
bastard  term,  the  offspring  of  gross  ideas 
and    disgusting    affectation,   in   print,    in 
anything  like  a  book. 

1818.  BYRON,  Beppo,  iv.  You'd 
better  walk  about  begirt  with  briars,  In- 
stead of  coat  and  SMALL-CLOTHES. 

1836.  DICKENS,  Sketches,  '  The  Last 
Cabdriver.'  His  boots  were  of  the  Wel- 
lington form,  pulled  up  to  meet  his 
corduroy  knee-SMALLS. 

1840.  HOOD,  Miss  Kilmansegg. 
Wear  a  negative  coat  and  positive  SMALLS. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  52.  His 
well-brushed  Sunday  coat  and  SMALL- 
CLOTHES. 

2.  (Univ.  Oxon). — In  //.,  see 
quots.  LITTLE-GO  is  the  Cam- 
bridge equivalent.  Properly  '  Re- 
sponsions.' 

£.1840.  E.  A.  FREEMAN  [1823-92], 
Cont.  Rev.,  li.  821.  'Greats,'  so  far  as 
the  name  existed  in  my  time,  meant  the 
Public  Examination,  as  distinguished 
from  Responsions,  Little-go,  or  SMALLS. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green,  11. 
xi.  The  little  gentleman  was  going  in  for 
his  degree,  alias  Great-go,  alias  Greats  ; 
and  our  hero  for  his  first  examination  in 
literis  humanioribus,  alias  Responsions, 
alias  Little-go,  alias  SMALLS. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brovun  at  Ox- 
ford, x.  In  our  second  term  we  are  no 
longer  freshmen,  and  begin  to  feel  our- 
selves at  home,  while  both  SMALLS  and 
greats  are  sufficiently  distant  to  be  alto- 
gether ignored  if  we  feel  that  way  in- 
clined. 

1863.  READE,  Hard  Cash  ..  .  Julia 
reminded  her  that  SMALLS  was  the  new 
word  for  little  go. 


Small-and-  Early.         262 


Smart. 


1878.  Scribner*s  Mag-.,  Dec.,  283. 
Looking  forward  with  annoyance  to  the 
rather  childish  first  examination,  in  Ox- 
ford language  known  as  SMALLS. 

3.  (theatrical).  —  A  one-night 
performance  in  a  small  town  or 
village  by  a  minor  company  carry- 
ing its  own  '  fit-up.' 

Adv.  (colloquial).  —  Timidly  ; 
humbly  :  e.g.  to  SING  (or  SPEAK) 

SMALL  (q.V.}. 

SMALL-AND  -  EARLY,  subs.  phr. 
(colloquial). — An  evening  party: 
informal  and  breaking  up  at  an 
early  hour. 

1865.  DICKENS,  Mutual  Friend,  xi. 
For  the  clearing  off  of  these  worthies,  Mrs. 
Podsnap  added  a  SMALL  AND  EARLY  even- 
ing to  the  dinner. 

SMALL  BEER.  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— i.  Weak  beer ;  hence 
(2)  trifles.  Whence  TO  CHRONICLE 
SMALL  BEER  =  (i)  to  engage  in 
trivial  occupations,  and  (2)  to 
retail  petty  scandal ;  TO  THINK 

SMALL  BEER  OF  ANYTHING  =  to 

have  a  poor  opinion  of  it.     Also 

SMALL      THINGS.         As     adj.    = 

petty. 

1604.  SHAKSPEARE,  Othello,  ii.  i, 
161.  To  suckle  fools  and  CHRONICLE 

SMALL   BEER. 

</.i666.     A  BROME,  Works  [CHALMERS, 
vi.  648,  i].     A  dull  SMALL-BEER  sinner. 

1712.  ADDISON,  Spectator,  269,  8. 
I  allow  a  double  quantity  of  malt  to  my 

SMALL  BEER. 

1832.  SOUTHEY.  The  Doctor,  Interch., 
xvi.  He  thought  SMALL  BEER  at  that  time 
of  some  very  great  patriots  and  Queenites. 

1840.  DE  QUINCEY,  Style  \Works,  xi. 
174].  Should  express  her  self-esteem  by  the 
popular  phrase,  that  she  did  not  '  think 

SMALL   BEER   OF   HERSELF.' 

1844.  THACKERAY,  Barry  Lyndon, 
xiV.  All  the  news  of  sport,  assize,  and 
quarter-sessions  were  detailed  by  this 
worthy  CHRONICLER  OF  SMALL  BEER. 
Ibid.  (1855),  Newcomes,  xxxix.  She 
THINKS  SMALL  BEER  of  painters,  J.  J.— 
well,  well,  we  don't  THINK  SMALL  BEER  of 
ourselves,  my  noble  friend. 


1853.    LYTTON,  My  Novel,    iv.   xii. 
n  I  say  that  sum  un  is  gumptious,  I 


When ' 

mean — though  that's  more  vulgar  like — 
sum  un  who  does  not  THINK  SMALL  BEER 
of  hisself. 

1880.  Academy,  25  Sep.,  219.  Two 
such  chroniclers  of  SMALL  BEER  as  Boswell 
and  Erskine. 

1902.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  19  Sep.,  i.  3. 
Vogler  had   reason   to    think    no    SMALL 
THINGS  of  himself.     He  was  emphatically 
the  popular  man  of  his  day  ;  he  was  fol- 
lowed by  enthusiastic  admirers. 

SMALL  CAP  O,  subs.  phr.  (printers'). 
— A  second  or  inferior  in  com- 
mand ;  an  under  overseer. 

SMALL  CHEQUE,  sttbs.  phr.  (nauti- 
cal).— A  dram ;  a  drink.  To 

KNOCK     DOWN     A    CHEQUE  =  to 

spend  all  in  drink. 

SMALL  FRY,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 

— Generic  (i)   for   things  little  ; 

and    (2)    for    things    trifling    or 

valueless. 

1888.  BLACK,  Houseboat,  viii.  While 
some  of  the  SMALL  FRY  popped  out  their 
heads  to  have  a  look. 

SMALL   HOURS,  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— The  first   three  or  four 
hours    after    midnight :     usually 
'  THE  SMALL  HOURS  of  the  morn- 
ing.'    Also  SHORT  HOURS. 
d.  1796.      BURNS,  Death  and  Dr.  Horn- 
book.     Some  wee  SHORT  HOURS  ayont  the 
twal'. 

1903.  D.  Telegraph,  3  Jan. ,  9,  '  Paris 
Day  by  Day.'    An  extraordinary  assault 
has  been  committed  in  a  third-class  car- 
riage of  a  train  which  left   Paris  in   the 
SMALL  HOURS  of  yesterday  morning   for 
Brussels. 

SMALL  POTATOES.    See  POTATO. 

SMALL  PILL,  subs.  phr.  (The  Leys 
School). — A  diminutive  football  : 
used  on  runs. 

SMART,  adj.  and  adv.  (colloquial). 
— Generic  for  superior,  out  of  the 
common,  distinguished.  [In  senses 
I,  2,  and  3  there  is  often,  but  not 
necessarily,  an  implied  suspicion 
of  something  questionable.]  (i) 


Smart. 


Smart. 


=  lively,  witty,  pert  (B.  E.) : 
e.g.,  A  SMART  (=  clever)  BOOK  ; 
A  SMART  ( =  ready)  REPLY  ;  A 
SMART  (=  bright)  SAYING;  A 
SMART  (=  sparkling)  SPEECH  ;  A 
SMART  (=  brisk)  LAD,  &c.  2.  = 
well-dressed,  fashionable,  bril- 
liant:  e.g.)  A  SMART  (=  elegant 
and  modish)  FROCK;  A  SMART 
(  =  attractive  and  amusing)  SHOW ; 
SMART  (  =  fashionable)  SOCIETY  : 
hence  SMART,  subs.  =  (i)  a  dandy 
(old),  and  (2)  one  in  advance  of 
the  prevailing  standard  of  good 
taste.  3.  =  quick,  expert,  shrewd: 
e.g.)  A  SMART  (=  precocious) 
CHILD;  A  SMART  (=  clever) 
WORKMAN  ;  A  SMART  ( =  enter- 
prising) TRADESMAN  ;  A  SMART 
( =  capable,  active  and  neat)  SOL- 
DIER, SAILOR,  HAND,  &C.  4 
(American)  =  clever,  knavish,  and 
unscrupulous.  5  (prov. )  =  cold  : 
e.g.,  A  SMART  ( =biting) MORNING. 
6  (colloquial)  =  uncommon  :  e.g. , 
SMART  (=  hard)  GOING  ;  SMART 
(=  resolute  and  lively)  HITTING  ; 
SMART  (=  capable)  WORK.  As 
adv.  =  very,  large,  considerable, 
vigorously  :  with  such  derivatives 
and  combinations  as  SMARTY 
(subs.),  SMARTNESS  (subs.),  and 

SMARTISH  {adj.}. 

[  ?  ].  M.S.  Cantab.,  Ff.  ii.  38,  f.  131 
[HALLIWELL].  The  swynehorde  toke  out 
a  knyfe  SMERT.  Ibid.,  Ff.  v.  48,  f.  no. 
SMERTLV  then  she  callis  a  knave. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  '  Gen. 
Prol.'  149.  If  men  smot  it  with  a  yerde 

SMERTE. 

[  ?  ].  Book  of  Precedence  [E.  E.  T.  S], 
i.  50.  When  thi  seruantes  haue  do  ther 
werke,  To  pay  ther  hyre  loke  thou  be 

SMERTE. 

1641.  MILTON,  Def.  of  Humb. 
Remonstr.,  Pref.  A  voluble  and  SMART 
fluence  of  tongue. 

1662.  FULLER,  Worthies,  Wiltshire, 
iii.  335.  Thomas  of  Wilton  wrote  also  a 
SMART  Book  on  this  subject. 

d.i6gg.  STILLINGFLEET,  Sermons,  in. 
vii.  These  few  words .  .  .  contain  a  SMART 
and  serious  expostulation. 


</.i7oi.  DRYDEN,  Works  [Century]. 
After  show'rs  The  stars  shine  SMARTER. 

^.1704.  Gentleman  Instructed,  470. 
'Sirrah,'  says  the  youngster,  'make  me  a 
SMART  wig,  a  SMART  one,  ye  dog  !'  The 
fellow  blessed  himself:  he  had  heard  of  a 

SMART    NAG,    a    SMART    MAN,    &C.,    but    a 

SMART  WIG  was  Chinese  to  the  tradesman. 
.  .  .  Within  two  days  he  had  a  SMART  WIG 
with  a  SMART  PRICE  in  the  box.  The  truth 
is,  he  had  been  bred  up  with  the  groom, 
and  translated  the  stable  dialect  into  the 
dressing  room. 

</.i704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  123.  I  was 
a  SMART  child,  and  a  smock-fac'd  youth. 

1705.  VANBRUGH,  Confederacy,  v.  2. 
There's  no  need  to  be  so  SMART  upon  him 
...  If  he's  not  a  gentleman,  he's  a  gentle- 
man's fellow. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Pol.  Conv.,  Intro. 
So  great  a  number  of  SMART  TURNS  of  wit 
and  humour  as  I  have  produced. 

1715.  ADDISON,  Drummer,  iii.  i. 
Thou'st  very  SMART  my  dear.  But  see  ! 
Smoke  the  doctor. 

1739.  TOWNLEY,    High  Life  Below 
Stairs,  ii.     The  gay  sparkling  Belle  who 
the  whole   town  alarms,  And   with  eyes, 
lips,  and  neck,  sets  the  SMARTS  all  in  arms. 

1740.  RICHARDSON,  Pamela,  i.  51.    I 
bought  .  .  .  two  pairs  of   ordinary  blue 
worsted  hose  that  made  a  SMARTISH  ap- 
pearance with  white  clocks.     Ibid.  (1753), 
Grandison,  iv.  292.     Our  cousin  is  looked 
upon  amongst  his  brother  libertines  and 
SMARTS  as  a  man  of  first  consideration. 

1742.  FIELDING,  Joseph  A  ndrews,  n. 
iv.  All  the  SMARTS  .  .  .  were  eclipsed  in 
a  moment.  Ibid.,  in.  iii.  I  resolved  to 
quit  all  further  conversation  with  beaux 
and  SMARTS  of  every  kind. 

J 753-  Adventurer,  100.  The  scale 
consists  of  eight :  Greenhorn,  Jemmy, 
Jessamy,  SMART,  Honest  Fellow,  Joyous 
Spirit,  Buck,  and  Blood. 

1785.  COWPER,  Task,  iv.  468.  And 
sighs  for  the  SMART  comrades  he  has  left. 

c.i8i2.  MAKER,  The  Night  Before 
Larry  was  Stretched.  He  fetched  a 
SMART  BLOW  at  his  head. 

181 1.  AUSTEN,  Sense  and  Sensibility, 
xix.  I  always  preferred  the  church  .  .  . 
but  that  was  not  SMART  enough  for  my 
family.  They  recommended  the  army,  but 
that  was  a  great  deal  too  SMART  for  me. 

1826.  CROKER  \Croker  Papers,  \. 
331].  Where  there  was  a  SMART  young 
WAITER,  whom,  however,  these  two 
Englishmen  used  to  row  exceedingly. 


Smart. 


264 


Smash. 


1833.  MARRYAT,  Peter  Simple,  iv. 
Come,  heave  ahead,  my  lads,  and  be  SMART. 

1835.  HOFFMAN,  Winter  in  tJie 
West.  There's  a  SMART  chance  of  cigars 
there  in  the  bar. 

18^6.  SCOTT,  Cruise  of  Midge,  363. 
There's  a  SMART  hand  ...  a  good  seaman 
evidently  by  the  cut  of  his  jib. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick  Papers,  ii. 
SMART  chap  that  cabman  .  .  .  but  .  .  . 
punch  his  head  !  Ibid.  (1844),  Martin 
Chuzzlewit,  xxxiii.  Scadder  is  a  SMART 
man,  sir  ...  Scadder  was  a  SMART  MAN, 
and  had  drawed  a  lot  of  British  capital 
that  was  as  sure  as  sun-up  .  .  .  Wish  he 
might  be  sifted  fine  as  flour,  and  whittled 
small  as  chips  ;  that  if  they  didn't  come 
off  that  fixing  right  SMART  too,  he'd  spill 
'em  in  the  drink.  Ibid.  (1853),  Bleak  House, 
ix.  I  scarcely  knew  him  again,  he  was  so 
uncommonly  SMART. 

1843.  CARLTON,  New  Purchase,   \. 
85.     There  was  a  SMART  sprinkle  of  rattle- 
snakes on  Red  Rum,  and  a  powerful  nice 
day  to  sun  themselves. 

1844.  HALIBURTON,  Attache,  ix.  He 
has  a  SMART  chance  of  getting  a  better 
character. 

i8[?].  MACAULAY  [TREVELYAN,  i. 
202].  A  SMART,  impudent-looking  young 
dog  dressed  like  a  sailor  in  a  blue  jacket 
and  check  shirt,  marched  up. 

1849.  BRONTE,  Shirley,  xxiv.  This 
stout  lady  in  a  quaint  black  dress,  who 
looks  young  enough  to  wear  much 
SMARTER  raiment  if  she  would. 

1852.  Stray  Yankee  in  Texas  [BART- 
LETT].  A  powerful  SMART-looking  chunk 
of  a  pony. 

1854.  OLMSTED,  Texas,  301.  Each 
man's  rations  consisting  of  a  pint  of  mould}* 
corn  and  a  RIGHT  SMART  chunk  of  bacon. 

1856.  STOWE,  Dred,  i.  209.  She  had 
RIGHT  SMART  of  life  in  her. 

1861.  KINGSLEY,  Ravenshoe,  xxxv. 
He's  a  prig,  and  a  SMART  one,  too. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  57.  She 
was  a  little  thin  woman,  but  tough  as 
Inger  rubber,  and  SMART  AS  A  STEEL  TRAP. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huck.  Finn,  v.  34. 
I'll  lay  for  you,  mysMARTY,  and  if  I  catch 
you  about  that  school  I'll  tan  you  good. 

1885.  Century  Mag.,  xl.  271.     Fora 
time  the  Clays  were  seen  and  heard  of,  on 
the  top  wave  of  London's  SMART  SOCIETY. 

1889.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxx.  'Lit. 
Notes.'  The  awfully  SMART  boy  is  only 
SMART — in  the  worst  American  sense  of  the 
word— as  his  own  family  make  him  so. 


1889.  KIPLING,  Rout  of  the  White 
Hussars.  It  was  all  the  Colonel's  fault 
.  .  .  He  said  the  regiment  was  not  SMART 
enough. 

1889.  Answers,  27  July,  141,  i.  He 
knew  that  if  the  manuscript  got  about  the 
Yankees  would  think  it  a  SMART  thing  to 
crib  it. 

1891.  MARRIOT-WATSON,  Web  of 
Spider,  xxii.  'SMART  he  was,  but  he  had 
a  SMARTER  man  against  him.'  .  .  .  '  Yes, 
but  you  don't  yet  realise  how  SMART.' 

1900.  WHITE,  West  End,  19.  Among 
the  SMART  SET,   and   under  the  surface, 
little  is  impossible. 

1901.  Pall  Mall  Gas.,  28  Nov.,  2,  3. 
There  can  be  no  question  that  the  SMART 
tradesman  of  to-day  thrusts  himself  upon 
the  general  notice  with  tiresome  assiduity. 

1903.  The  Smart  Set,  a  Magazine  oj 
Cleverness  [Title]. 

See  SMART-MONEY. 


SMART-MONEY,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
i.  '  Given  by  the  King,  when  a 
Man  in  Land  or  Sea-Service  has 
a  Leg  Shot  or  Cut  off,  or  is  dis- 
abled' (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  :  hence 
(2)  a  fine ;  and  (3)  vindictive 
damages :  also  SMART. 

SMASH,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  Iced 
brandy  and  water. 

2.  (common). — Mashed    vege- 
tables :  potatoes,  turnips,  and  the 
like  (GROSE). 

1851-61,  MAYHEW,  Lond.  Lab.  The 
sweep  asked  him  what  he  was  going  to 
have.  '  A  two-and-a-half  plate  and  a 
ha'p'orth  of  SMASH.' 

3.  (prison). — Tobacco  :    hence 

TO    SLING  THE    SMASH  =  to  pass 

tobacco  to  a  prisoner. 

Verb,  (thieves'). — To  utter  base 
coin.  Hence  SMASHER  =  ( i )  base 
coin  or  paper  ;  and  (2)  one  who 
passes  base  money  into  circulation 
(GROSE  and  VAUX).  Also  2. 
(common)  =  to  give  change  (BEE) : 
as  subs.  =  loose  change. 


Smash. 


26; 


Smectymnus. 


1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  SMASHED 
.  .  .  SMASHERS— passers  of  bad  money 
were  so  called  during  the  pest  of  the  old 
smooth  coin.  The  term  was  soon  extended 
to  bad  notes  of  the  Bank  of  England  ;  and 
their  occupation  was  called  SMASHING  from 
the  resemblance  each  bore  the  other  in 
morals. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  '  Jerry 
Juniper's  Chaunt."  Readily  the  queer 
screens  I  then  could  SMASH. 

1840.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  xxxi. 
Stretched  for  SMASHING  queer  screens. 


1851-61.     MAYHEW,  Land.   Lab.,   ir. 
488.     livery    coin 


1051- 
J.      E. 

SMASHERS. 


was    bad  —  all 


1883.  GREENWOOD,  Tag,  Rag,  and 
Co.  The  individual  mentioned  on  the 
paper  was  a  SMASHER. 

1886.  Ev.  Standard,  n  Jan.     Paper 
of  a  kind  commonly  used  by  SMASHERS  to 
wrap  up  their  coins,  to  prevent  their  rub- 
bing against  each  other. 

1887.  HENLEY,     Villon's     Straight 
Tip,  i.    You  pitch  a  snide,  or  SMASH  a 
rag. 

2.  (common). — To  ruinate,  to 
go  bankrupt :  also  (military)  to  be 
reduced  or  broke.     As  subs,   (or 
SMASH-UP)  =  ruin,     destruction, 
bankruptcy;    ALL  TO  SMASH  = 
all  to  pieces,  completely. 

£.1847.  THACKERAY,  Letters,  120.  I 
have  made  an  awful  SMASH  at  the  Literary 
Fund,  and  have  tumbled  into  'Evins  knows 
where. 

1849.  BRONTE,  Shirley,  ii.  Your 
hellish  machinery  is  shivered  to  SMASH  on 
Stilboro'  Moor. 

1 86 1.  BRADLEY,  New  Rector,  x. 
There  isn't  a  fellow  at  school  can  match 
me,  Miss  Moore  I  I  beat  them  ALL  TO 
SMASH ! 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  28  Dec.  If  it 
.  .  .  comes  to  out-and-out  SMASH,  and 
selling  up. 

1887.  St.  James's  Gaz.,  22  Jan. 
There  was  a  final  SMASH-UP  of  his  party  as 
well  as  of  his  reputation. 

1895.  LE  QUEUX,  Temptress^,  iv. 
May  this  SMASH  bring  me  good  luck  in  the 
future.  Ibid.,  v.  I  tell  you  it  is  pay  or 
SMASH  with  me. 

3.  (pugilists' ).  —To  beat  badly ; 
to    double    up    (BEE).       Hence 
SMASHER  =  a  settling  blow. 


1832.  EGAN,  Book  of  Sports,  s.v. 
All  of  a  heap,  and  all  of  a  lump,  unmistak- 
ably doubled  up  by  a  SMASHER. 

1866.  London  Misc.,  5  May,  202. 
Doubled  you  up,  I  mean,  sir.  SMASHED 
you. 

4.  (old). — To  kick  downstairs  : 
e.g. ,  '  The  chubbs  toute  the 
blosses,  they  SMASH,  and  make 
them  brush '  =  The  sharpers  catch 
their  Mistresses  on  the  hop,  kick 
them  downstairs  and  make  them 
clear  out  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

SMASHER,  subs,  (common).  —  i. 
Anything  exceptional ;  a  settler  : 
see  WHOPPER.  Whence  SMASH- 
ING =  crushing. 

1854.  FIELD,  Drama  at  Pokerville 
[BARTLETT].  Put  up  your  benefit  for  that 
night  :  and  if  you  don't  have  a  SMASHER 
.  .  .  say  I  don't  understand  managing  the 
theatres. 

2.  See  SMASH,  verb.  i. 

3.  (nautical). — A  north  country 
seaman  (CLARK  RUSSELL). 

SMASH  -  FEEDER,  subs.  phr. 
(thieves').  —  A  Britannia-metal 
spoon. 

SMATTERER,  subs,  (colloquial). — 
'  One  half-learned.  A  Smattering, 
a  slight  Tincture  in  any  Skill  or 
Learning'  (B.  E.). 

SMEAR,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  plasterer 
(GROSE). 

2.  (American). — Food;  hash; 
grub  :  espec.  '  a  society  spread  or 
Supper  '  (BARTLETT). 

SMEAR-GELT,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
bribe  (GROSE). 

SM  ECTYM  N us  (obsolete). — See  quot. 
1721.  BAILEY,  Eng.  Diet.,  s.v. 
SMECTYMNUS,  A  word  made  out  of  the 
first  letters  of  the  names  of  five  presbyterian 
ministers,  viz.,  Stephen  Marshall,  Edmund 
Culamy,  Thomas  Young,  Mathew  New- 
comen,  and  William  Spurstow,  who  wrote 
a  book  against  Episcopacy,  and  the  Com- 
mon Prayer,  A.D.  1641,  whence  they  and 
their  followers  were  called  SMECTYMNIANS. 


Smeekit. 


266  Smell-powder. 


SMEEKIT,  subs.  (Scots).— Drunk  : 
see  SCREWED. 

SMELL,  verb,  (old  colloquial). — To 
investigate,  to  search  ;  to  NOSE 

(q.V.)  :      also      TO     SMELL     OUT. 

Hence  SMELLING  COMMITTEE 
=  an  investigating  committee. 
[BARTLETT  :  '  the  phrase  origi- 
nated in  the  examination  of  a 
convent  in  Massachusetts  by 
legislative  order.'].  See  SMELLER. 

^.1555.  LATIMER,  Sermons,  335.  From 
that  time  forward  I  began  to  SMELI.  the 
word  of  God,  and  forsook  the  school- 
doctors  and  such  fooleries. 

1600.     SHAKSPEARE,  Much  Ado,  iii. 

2.  Can  you  SMELL    him  OUT  by  that. 
Ibid.  (1602),  Twelfth  Night,  ii.  3.  I  SMELL 
a  device.     Ibid.  (1604),  Winter's  Tale,  iv. 

3.  I  SMELL  the  trick  of  it.     Ibid.  (1605), 
Lear,  i.  5,  22.    What  a  man  cannot  SMELL 
OUT  he  may  spy  into. 

1626.  FLETCHER,  Noble  Gentleman, 
ii.  i.  Come,  these  are  tricks ;  I  SMELL 
'em  ;  I  will  go. 

1702.  STEELE,  Grief-a-la-Mode,  iv. 
i.  I  like  this  old  fellow,  I  SMELL  more 
money. 

PHRASEsand  COLLOQUIALISMS. 
— See  CORK  ;  ELBOW-GREASE  ; 
FOOTLIGHTS  ;  GREASE  ;  INK- 
HORN;  LAMP;  RAT;  ROAST. 

SMELLER,  subs,  (common). — i. 
The  nose  :  see  CONK  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE):  in//.  =  nostrils.  Also 
2  (pugilists')  =  a  blow  on  the 
nose  ;  a  NOSENDER,  q.v.  (BEE). 

1678.  COTTON,  Scarronides,  64.  For 
he  on  SMELLEKS,  you  must  know,  Receiv'd 
a  sad  unlucky  blow. 

1840.  COCKTON,  Val.  Vox,  xxviii. 
There's  a  conk  !  there's  a  SMELLER. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green  .  .  . 
Come  on,  half-a-dozen  of  ye,  and  let  me 
have  a  rap  at  your  SMELLERS. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  20.  I 
tipped  'im  one  on  the  SMELLER  as  soon  as 
'e  said  it. 

3.  (common).— In//.  =  a  cat's 
'whiskers'  (GROSE). 


4.  (common). — A  spy  ;  a  PAUL 
PRY  (q.v.}. 

SMELL-FEAST,  subs.  phr.  (old).— 
I.  A  parasitic  glutton  ;  as  adj.  = 
sharking  for  victuals.  Also  (2)  = 
a  POINT  ($r.z/.)-feast. 

1599.  HALL,  Virgid,  vi.  i.  47.  Nor 
now  no  more  SMELL-FEAST  Vitellio,  Smiles 
on  his  master  for  a  meal  or  two. 

1609.  HOLLAND,  Amm.  Marcell 
[NARES],  Mercurius  called  commonly 
captaine  of  SMELL-FEASTS,  for  that  like 
unto  a  dogge  .  .  .  wagging  his  taile,  he 
used  to  thrust  himselfe  often  into  feasts  and 
companies.  Ibid.  These  SMELL-FEAST 
parasites. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  II. 
in.  viii.  No  SMELL-FEASTS  .  .  .  parasites, 
bawds,  drunkards,  whoremasters. 

1633.  HARRINGTON,  Epigrams. 
What  manner  sprite  these  SMELLFEASTS 
had  possest. 

1648.  HERRICK,  Hesperides,  'Vpon 
Burr.'  Burr  is  a  SMELL-FEAST,  and  a 
man  alone  That  (where  meat  is)  will  be  a 
hanger  on. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  liv. 
Fat  chuffcats,  SMELL-FEAST  knockers, 
doltish  gulls. 

^.1704.  LFSTRANGE,  Works  [Ency. 
Diet.}.  An  intruder,  and  a  common 
SMELL-FEAST  that  spunges  upon  other 
people's  trenchers. 

SMELLING-CHEAT,  subs.  phr.  (Old 
Cant). — i.  The  nose:  see  CHEAT 
and  SMELLER  (!!ARMAN,  DEK- 
KER).  2  (Old  Cant)  =  an  orchard, 
garden,  or  nosegay  (HARMAN, 
DEKKER,  B.  E.,  BAILEY,  GROSE). 

SMELL-SMOCK.    See  SMOCK. 

SMELLY,  adv.  (colloquial). — Offen- 
sively odorous. 

1863.  KINGSLEY,  Water  Babies,  186. 
Nasty,  dirty,  frowzy,  grubby,  SMELLY  old 
monks. 

SMELL-POWDER,  subs. phr.  (old). — 
A  duellist  (BEE). 


Smelt. 


267 


Smite. 


SMELT,  subs,  (old).— i.  A  gull: 
see  BUFFLE.  Hence  (proverbial) 
*  Westward  for  SMELTS  ! '  (old 
colloquial)  =  on  the  spree  (i.e.,  in 
search  of  conies,  male  or  female). 

<r.i6oo.  Weakest  to  the  Wall,  Hi.  4. 
Now  mine  host  rob-pot  .  .  .  gudgeon ! — 
SMELT,  I  should  say. 

1600.  JONSON,  Cynthia's  Revels,  ii. 
i.  Cup.  What's  he,  Mercury?  Mer.  A 
notable  SMELT. 

1607.  DEKKER  and  WEBSTER,  West- 
ward Ho,  iv.  2.     To  see  how  plain  dealing 
women  can  pull  down  men  !     Moll,  you'll 
help  us  to  catch  SMELTS,  too  ?    Ibid.,  ii.  3. 
But  wenches,  with  what  pullies  shall  we 
slide  with  some  cleanly  excuse,  out  of  our 
husbands   suspicion ;    being  gone    WEST- 
WARD FOR  SMELTS  all  night? 

1608.  Great  Frost  [ARBER,  Garner, 
i.  85].     Let  your  news  be  as  country  folk 
bring  fruit  to  your  markets,  the  bad  and 
good    together.      Say,   have  none    'gone 
WESTWARD  FOR  SMELTS,'  as  our  proverbial 
phrase  is. 

1635.  FLETCHER,  Love's  Pilgrimage, 
v.  2.  Talk  what  you  will,  this  is  a  very 

SMELT. 

2.  (Old  Cant).— Half-a-guinea 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

1822.  SCOTT,  Fort.  Nigel,  xxiii.  You 
see  .  .  .  that  noble  Master  Grahame, 
whom  you  call  Green,  has  got  the  decuses 
and  the  SMELTS. 

SMICKER,  verb.  (old). — To  look 
wantonly  :  as  adj.  —  amorous  ; 
SMICKERING  =  amorous  inclina- 
tion ;  SMICKLY  =  amorously. 

1606.  FORD,  Fame's  Memorial,  574. 
Regardful  of  his  honour  he  forsook  The 
SMICKER  use  of  court  humanity.  Ibid. 
(1623-4),  Sun's  Darling,  ii.  i.  Ray.  Who 
is  he  that  looks  so  SMICKLY?  Fol.  One 
that  loves  mutton  so  well  that  he  always 
carries  capers  about  with  him. 

1608.  Cobler  of  Canterburie  [HALLI- 
WELL].  The  smith  seeing  what  a  SMICKER 
wench  the  coblers  wife  was  .  .  .  wished 
that  he  could  finde  meanes  to  have  such  a 
one  his  friend. 

£1.1625.  LODGE,  Poems,  'Coridon's 
Song'  [Rept.,  106].  A  SMICKER  boy  .  .  . 
a  SMICKER  swaine ;  That  in  his  love  was 
wanton  faine. 


1701.  DRYDEN,  To  Mrs.  Steward, 
Let.  35.  We  had  a  young  doctour,  who 
...  seem'd  to  have  a  SMICKERING  to  our 
young  lady  of  Pilton. 

SMICKET,  subs,  (old).— A  smock  or 
shift. 

1719.  DURFEY,  Wit  and  Mirth, 
.  .  .  Touch  but  her  SMICKET  and  all's 
your  own. 

1820.  COOMBE,  Syntax,  ii.  5.  The 
roaring,  dancing  bumpkins  show,  And  the 
white  SMICKETS  wave  below. 

SMIGGINS,  subs,  (obsolete  prison). — 
Hulk  soup. 

SMILE,  subs.  (American). — A  drink: 
as  verb.  =  to  drink,  spec,  in 
company :  cf.  SHOUT. 

1855.  N.Y.  Tribune,  31  Jan.  The 
'  crowd '  was  invited  into  the  Fifth  Ward 
Hotel,  and  one  general  SMILE  entirely 
absorbed  the  fee. 

1858.  Baltimore  Sun,  23  Aug.  There 
are  many  more  fast  boys  about — some 
devoted  to  "the  sex,"  some  to  horses, 
some  to  SMILING,  and  some  to  "  the  tiger." 

1870.  Browne,  Artemus  Ward,  His 
Book,  36,  Note.  '  Tods '  a  shortening  of 
toddy  .  .  .  Recently,  however,  TO  SMILE 
has  taken  its  place. 

1887.  FRANCIS,  Saddle  and  Mocassin. 
With  what  exquisite  feeling  will  he 
graduate  his  cup  from  the  gentle  SMILE  of 
early  morning  to  the  potent  'smash'  of 
night. 

SMILING,  To  COME  UP  SMILING, 
verb.  phr.  (common). — To  rise 
superior  to  the  moment. 

SMIRK,  subs.  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). — 
'  A  finical  spruce  Fellow.  To 
SMIRK,  to  smile  or  look 
pleasantly.' 

SMISH,  subs.  (Old  Cant). —A 
chemise  ;  a  shirt  :  cf.  GAMES  A  and 
MISH  (GROSE  and  VAUX). 

SMITE,  verb.  (old). — To  get  money; 
to  RUSH  (q.v.)  :  '  Academic  term ' 
(GROSE). 


Smiter. 


268 


Smock. 


SMITER,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  sword. 

1591.  LYLY,  Endimion,  i.  3.  It  is 
my  simiter;  which  I  by  construction  often 
studying  to  bee  compendious,  call  my 

SMITER. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Cime- 
terre.  A  Scymitar,  or  SMVTER,  a  kind  of 
short  and  crooked  sword,  much  in  use 
among  the  Turks. 

1633.  JONSON,  Tale  of  a.  Tub,  iv.  3. 
Then,  Basket,  put  thy  SMITER  up,  and 
hear  ;  I  dare  not  tell  the  truth  to  a  drawn 
sword. 

1659.  Leg:.  ofCapt.  Jones.  His  fatal 
SMITER  thrice  aloft  he  shakes. 

2.  (old). — An  arm  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE). 

SMITHEREENS     (or     SMITHERS), 

subs,  (common).  —  Small  frag- 
ments. ALL  TO  SMITHEREENS  = 
all  to  SMASH  (g.v.). 

1855.  TENNYSON,  Northern  Cobbler, 
xviii.  '  Smash  the  bottle  to  SMITHERS,  the 
Divil's  in  'im,'  said  I. 

1872.  BLACK,  Adv.  of  a  Phaeton,  iii. 
Knocked  heaps  of  things  to  SMITHEREENS 

SMITH  FIELD- BARGAIN,  subs,  phr. 
(old). — See  quots. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.,  i.  2, 
56.  Page.  He's  gone  into  SMITHFIELD  to 
buy  your  worship  a  horse.  Falst.  I  bought 
him  in  Paul's,  and  he'll  buy  me  a  horse  in 
SMITHFIELD  ;  an  I  could  get  me  but  a 
wife  in  the  stews,  I  were  manned,  horsed, 
and  wived. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  III. 
in.  iv.  2.  He  that  .  .  .  buys  a  horse  in 
SMITHFIELD  .  .  .  shall  likely  have  a 
jade. 

1662.  WILSON,  Cheats,  v.  5.  If  this 
is  not  better  than  a  SMITHFIELD  BARGAIN 
— give  me  so  much  money,  and  my  horse 
shall  leap  thy  mare. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  iii.  54.  By 
the  procurement  of  these  experienc'd 
matrons,  a  marriage  is  struck  up  like  a 
SMITHFIELD  BARGAIN.  There  is  much 
higling  and  wrangling  for  t'other  ten 
pounds. 

1731.  WARD,  Terrcefilius,  4,  29.  He 
can  no  more  speak  without  breaking  the 
fourth  commandment  than  a  SMITHFIELD 
jockey  can  sell  a  horse  without  giving  the 
purchaser  a  lye  into  the  BARGAIN. 


1753-  RICHARDSON,  Grandzson(i8i2), 
vi.  44.  Women  when  .  .  .  urged  to  give 
way  to  a  clandestine  or  unequal  address 
.  .  .  are  pleaded  with  to  rise  against  the 
notions  of  bargain  and  sale,  SMITHFIELD 
BARGAINS  you  Londoners  call  them. 

1772.  GRAVES,  Spir.  Quixote,  v.  xv. 
The  devil  take  me  if  I  would  marry  an 
angel  upon  the  footing  of  a  mere  SMITH- 
FIELD  BARGAIN. 

1776.  FOOTE,  Bankrupt,  ii.  i.  You 
deposit  so  much  money,  and  he  grants  you 
such  an  annuity ;  a  mere  SMITHFIELD 
BARgAiN,  that  is  all. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SMITHFIELD  BARGAIN.  A  bargain  whereby 
the  purchaser  is  taken  in.  This  is  like- 
wise frequently  used  to  express  matches, 
or  marriages,  contracted  solely  on  the 
score  of  interest,  on  one  or  both  sides, 
where  the  fair  sex  are  bought  and  sold  like 
cattle  in  Smithfield. 

1881.  DAVIES,  Supp.  Glossary,  s.v. 
SMITHFIELD  BARGAIN  ...  A  marriage 
of  interest,  where  money  is  the  chief  con- 
sideration :  the  allusion  is  to  buying  a  wife 
in  Smithfield.  C/.  BRETON,  Olde  Man's 
Lesson  (1605),  p.  7  :  '  Fie  on  these  market 
matches,  where  marriages  are  made  with- 
out affection." 

SMOCK,   subs.    (old). — A    woman  : 

cf.  PETTICOAT,  PLACKET,  SKIRT, 

MUSLIN,  &c.  Hence,  in  combi- 
nation =  pertaining  to,  or  con- 
nected with  women.  Thus  SMOCK- 
AGE  =  the  use  of  the  sex  ;  SMOCK- 
ALLEY  =  the  female  pudendum  : 
see  MONOSYLLABLE  ;  SMOCK- 
FACE  =  an  effeminate :  SMOCK- 
FACED  = 'snout -fair'  (B.  E.), 
'fair -faced'  (GROSE),  smooth- 
faced ;  SMOCK  NIGHT -WORK 

(SERVICE,  or  EMPLOYMENT)  = 
copulation ;  SMOCK-LOYALTY  = 
constancy ;  SMOCK-TREASON  = 
adultery  ;  SMOCK-SERVANT  =  (i) 
a  mistress,  and  (2)  a  lover;  SMOCK- 
AGENT  =  a  bawd  ;  SMOCKSTER 

(SMOCK  -  MERCHANT,  SMELL- 
SMOCK,  or  SMOCK-TEARER)  =  a 
whoremonger  :  SMELL  -  SMOCK 
also  =  the  penis,  and  as  adj.  = 
wanton;  SMOCK-VERMIN  =  a  con- 
temptuous address ;  SMOCK-TOY 


Smock. 


269 


Smock. 


=  a  fancy  PIECE  (g.v.),  male  or  fe- 
male ;  SMOCK-SECRET  =  intrigue; 
SMOCK-HOLD  =  tenure  during  a 
wife's  lifetime ;  SMOCK-GOVERN- 
MENT (or  SMOCK-LED)  — petticoat 
rule;  SMOCK-PENSiONER  =  amale 

KEEP  (g.V.)  :  also  SMOCK- 
SQUIRE  ;  SMOCK  -  HUNTING  = 

whoring  ;  SMOCK  LOOSE  =  wan- 
ton ;  IN  HER  SMOCK  =  inti- 
mately ;  SMOCK-RACE  (see  quot. 
1801);  &c.  As  verb.=\.o  copu- 
late (FLETCHER)  :  see  RIDE. 

1582.  STANYHURST,  JEneid,  iv.  222. 
Now  this  SMOCK-TOY  Paris  with  berdlesse 
company  wayted. 

1585.  Nomenclator,  528.  Mulie- 
rarius,  one  given  to  love  women,  a 

SMELL-SMOCKE. 

1595.  SHAKSPEARE,  Romeo  and  Ju- 
liet, ii.  4,  109.  [Enter  Nurse  and  Peter]. 
Mer.  A  sail,  a  sail  !  Ben.  Two,  two ;  a 
shirt  and  a  SMOCK.  Ibid.  (1598),  A  IFs 
Well,  ii.  i,  30.  I  shall  stay  here,  the  fore- 
horse  to  a  SMOCK.  Ibid.  (1608),  Antony 
and  Cleopatra,  i.  2,  172.  If  there  were  no 
more  women  but  Fulvia,  then  had  you  in- 
deed a  cut,  and  the  case  to  be  lamented  ; 
this  grief  is  crowned  with  consolation  ; 
your  old  SMOCK  brings  forth  a  new  petti- 
coat. 

1599.  CHAPMAN,  Humorous  Day's 
Mirth  [SHEPHERD,  Works  (1874),  35]. 
He  was  taken  learning  tricks  at  old 
Lucilla's  house,  the  muster-mistress  of  all 
the  SMOCK  -  TEARERS  in  Paris.  Ibid. 
(1605),  A I  Fooles,  v.  i.  Some  wealth  with- 
out wit,  some  nor  wit  nor  wealth,  But  good 
SMOCK-FACES.  Ibid.  (1612),  Widow's 
Tears  [SHEPHERD,  Works  (1874),  314]. 
Shalt  hold  thy  tenement,  to  thee  and 
thine  heers  for  ever,  in  free  SMOCKAGE,  as 
of  the  manner  of  panderage. 

1611.  JONSON,  Cataline,  iv.  5.  Sent. 
There  are  of  us  can  be  as  exquisite 
traitors  As  e'er  a  male  conspirator  of  you 
all.  Get.  Ay,  at  SMOCK-TREASON,  matron, 
I  believe  you.  Ibid.  (1632),  Magnetic 
Lady,  iv.  2.  Keep  these  women  matters 
SMOCK-SECRETS  to  ourselves. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.  s.v.  Brigaille. 
A  noteable  SMELSMOCKE,  or  mutton- 
mungar,  a  cunning  solicitor  of  a  wenche. 

1624.  MASSINGER,  Renegado,  ii.  i. 
'Tis  but  procuring  a  SMOCK-EMPLOYMENT. 
Ibid.  (1632),  Maid  of  Honour,  ii.  2.  You 
are  not  the  man  ;  much  less  employ'd  by 
him  As  a  SMOCK-AGENT  to  me.  Ibid.  iii. 


i.  Peace,  thou  SMOCK-VERMIN  !  Ibid. 
(1637),  Guardian,  iii.  5.  Now  I  think  I 
had  ever  a  lucky  hand  in  such  SMOCK 

NIGHT-WORK. 

[  ?  1.  Cat.  of  Books  of  the  Newest 
Fashion  [Harl.  Misc.,  v.  287].  SMOCK- 
PECK'D  S . 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  167.  This 
theame  of  SMOCKE  is  very  large  and  wide 
.  .  .  But  I  thinke  best  a  speedy  end  to 
make,  Lest  for  a  SMELSMOCKE  some  should 
me  mistake. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  xi. 
And  some  of  the  .  .  .  women  would  give 
these  names,  my  Roger  .  .  .  SMELL-SMOCK 
.  .  .  lusty  live  sausage. 

1657.  MIDDLETON,  More  Dissem- 
blers, &>c.,  i.  4.  Jf  thou  dost  not  prove  as 
arrant  a  SMELL-SMOCK  as  any  the  town 
affords  in  a  term  time  I'll  lose  my  judge- 
ment. 

1663.  Unfortunate  Usurper  \W&K$&\. 
SMELL-SMOCK  Sardanapalus  would  have 
given  The  moiety  of  his  kingdom  to  be  his 
pupil. 

1680.  DRYDEN,  Spanish  Priar,  ii.  i. 
Plague  ...  on  his  SMOCK-LOYALTY. 
Ibid.  (1692),  Juvenal,  x.  491.  Young 
Endymion,  your  smooth  SMOCK-FAC'D  boy. 

d.ijo^.    BROWN,  Works,  ii.  123.     I  was 
a  smart  child,  and  a  SMOCK-FAC'D  youth. 

1706.  WARD,  Wooden  World,  69.  If 
ever  he's  troubled  with  Dreams  .  .  .  then 
truly  he  oft  fancies  himself  a  mauling  off 
the  Roast-meat  in  SMOCK-ALLEY.  Ibid. 
(1709),  Works,  i.  173.  Skilful  SMOCK- 
STERS  .  .  .  Tell  us  that  Love's  a  drowthy 
exercise. 

1746.  Poor  Robin.  A  whoremaster 
hath  a  SMELL-SMOCK  nose  which  for  the 
most  part  in  process  of  time  proves  bridge- 
fallen. 

1801.  STRUTT,  Sports  and  Pastimes, 
476.  SMOCK  RACES  are  commonly  per- 
formed by  the  young  country  wenches, 
and  so-called  because  the  prize  is  a  holland 
SMOCK,  or  shirt,  usually  decorated  with 
ribbands. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  136.  Pacheco  did  not  know  what 
to  make  of  so  SMOCK-FACED  a  young 
spark. 

1879.  LECKY,  English  in  i8th  Cent., 
iv.  Among  other  amusements  SMOCK- 
RACING  by  women  was  kept  up  there  [Pall 
Mall]  till  1733. 

S 


Smoke. 


270 


Smoke. 


SMOKE,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  chimney. 
Hence  (modern)  THE  SMOKE  = 
any  large  city :  spec.  London : 

also  THE  GREAT  SMOKE. 

<f.i687.  PETTY,  PoL  Surv.  of  Ireland, 
9.  Dublin  hath  Houses  of  more  than  one 
SMOAK. 

2.  (common). — A  cigar:    also 
the  act  of  smoking.    DRY-SMOKE 
=  an    unlighted    cigar    or    pipe 
between  the  lips. 

1860.  RUSSELL,  Diary  in  India, 
xxvii.  Soldiers  .  .  .  lounging  about, 
taking  an  early  morning  SMOKE. 

c.i88s[?].  JENNY  HILL,  "Arry.'  'Arry 
likes  a  twopenny  SMOKE. 

3.  (colloquial).  —  Idle      talk  ; 
vanity ;  anything  of  little  or  no 
value.    To  END  IN  SMOKE  =  to 
serve  or  come  to  no  useful  end. 

1594.  SHAKSPEARE,  Lucreece,  1027. 
This  helpless  SMOKE  of  words  doth  me  no 
right. 

1603-15.  Court  and  Times  ofjas.  /., 
291.  [A  project]  GOES  AWAY  IN  SMOKE. 

Verb.  (old). — I.  To  examine ;  to 
suspect ;  to  observe ;  to  discover ; 
to  understand ;  TO  TWIG  (q.v.): 
cf.  SMELL,  NOSE,  &c.  Whence 
SMOKY  =  (i)  suspicious,  inquisi- 
tive; and  (2)  =  jealous  (B.  E., 
GROSE,  BEE). 

1280.  Ancren  Riivle,  316.  Schrift 
get  schal  beon  naked  ;  thet  is  naked  liche 
imaked,  and  nout  bisaumpled  feire,  ne 
hendeliche  ISMOKED.  [Confession  must 
be  naked,  that  is  made  nakedly,  not  spe- 
ciously palliated,  nor  gently  touched  on.] 

1596.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  in  His 
Hum.,  iv.  8.  I'faith,  I  am  glad  I  have 
SMOKED  you  yet  at  last.  Ibid.  (1622), 
Masque  of  AugursjiWorks}(M.oxoK),  230. 
Sir,  we  do  come  from  among  the  brew- 
houses,  .  .  .  that's  true,  there  you  have 

SMOKED  US. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  Airs  Well,  Hi.  6. 
He  was  first  SMOKED  by  the  old  Lord 
Lafew — when  his  disguise  and  he  is  parted, 
tell  me  what  a  sprat  you  shall  find  him. 

1607.  DEKKER,  Jests,  &c.  [GROSART, 
Works,  ii.  329].  Kinchen,  the  coue  towres, 
which  is  as  much  as,  Fellow,  the  man 


SMOKES  or  suspects  you.  Ibid.  (1620), 
Lauthorne,  &c.  The  two  freebooters, 
seeing  themselves  SMOAK'D. 

1611.  MIDDLETON  and  DEKKER, 
Roaring  Girl  [Works]  (1873),  in.  220. 
Wee  are  SMOAKT  .  .  .  wee  are  boyld,  pox 
on  her  ! 

1614.  CHAPMAN,  Odysseys,  iv.  337. 
And  yet  through  all  this  difference,  I  alone 
SMOKED  his  true  person. 

1624.  MASSINGER,  Renegado,  iv.  i. 
All's  come  out,  sir.  We  are  SMOK'D  for 
being;  coney-catchers.  Ibid.  (1659),  City 
Madam,  iii.  i.  I'll  hang  you  both  .  .  . 
you  for  a  purse  you  cut  In  Paul's  at  a  ser- 
mon ;  I  have  SMOAKED  you,  ha  ! 

^.1650.  BRATHWAYTE,  Barnaby's  Jl. 
(1723),  21.  An  apt  one  .  .  .  Punk  unto  a 
Captain ;  I  embrac'd  .  .  .  But  Door 
creak'd  and  Captain  SMOAK'T  IT. 

1693.  CONGREVE,  Old  Bach.,  iii.  6. 
I  begin  to  SMOKE  ye  :  thou  art  some  for- 
saken Abigail.  Ibid.  (1694),  Double 
Dealer,  iii.  3.  Should  she  SMOKE  my 
design  upon  Cynthia  I  were  in  a  fine 
pickle. 

1705.  VANBRUGH,  Confederacy,  iii. 
I'm  thinking  — hum  — she'll  SMOKE  that 
though.  laid.  (1726),  VANBRUGH  and 
GIBBER,  Prov.  Husband,  ii.  He  seems  a 
little  SMOKY. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Pol.  Conv.  i.  Pray, 
madam,  SMOKE  miss  yonder,  biting  her 
lips,  and  playing  with  her  fan. 

1715.  ADDISON,  Drummer,  iii.  i. 
Thou  rt  very  smart,  my  dear.  But  see  ! 
SMOKE  the  doctor. 

1715-16.  ADDISON,  Freeholder  [Ency. }. 
I  began  to  SMOKE  that  they  were  a  parcel 
of  mummers. 

1733.  SWIFT,  Ans.  to  Sheridan's 
New  Simile.  With  which  he  made  a 
tearing  show  ;  And  Dido  quickly  SMOK'D 
the  beau. 

1753.  FOOTE,  Eng.  in  Paris,  i.  i. 
A  SMOAKY  fellow  this  classic.  Ibid.  (1762), 
The  Liar,  i.  i.  People  in  this  town  are 
more  SMOAKY  and  suspicious. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
75.  The  witch  of  Endor,  Soon  SMOK'D  th' 
affair,  and  like  a  prophet,  Got  up  and  told 
the  meaning  of  it. 

1774.  KELLY,  School  for  Wives,  iii. 
5.  Who  the  devil  could  think  that  he 
would  SMOKE  us  in  this  disguise. 

^.1859.  DE  QUINCEY,  Works,  xi.  86. 
The  orator  grew  urgent ;  wits  began  to 
SMOKE  the  case,  as  active  verbs — the  advo- 
cate to  smoke,  as  a  neuter  verb. 


Smoke. 


271 


Smotheration. 


1877.  Five  Years  Penal  Serv.,  iii. 
He  stayed  in  a  place  doing  the  grand,  and 
sucking  the  flats,  till  the  folks  began  to 
SMOKE  him  as  not  'all  there.' 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay, 
The  secret  reports  of  the  head  porter 
proved  that  no  one  could  SMOKE  OUT  the 
aristocratic  invalid. 

2.  (school). — To  blush. 

3.  (old).  —  To    ridicule  ;     TO 
QUIZ  (^.z;.).     Whence  SMOKER  = 
a    mocker,    a     practical    joker ; 
SMOKING  =  bantering. 

1698-1700.  WARD,  Land.  Spy,  ix. 
197.  We  SMOAK'D  the  Beaus  almost  as 
bad  as  unlucky  schoolboys  us'd  to  do  the 
coblers,  till  they  sneak'd  off  one  by  one. 

1700.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  World,  iii. 
15.  This  is  a  vile  dog  ;  I  see  that  already. 
No  offence !  ...  to  him,  Petulant,  SMOKE 
him. 

1782.  BURNEY,  Cecilia,  vi.  n.  You 
never  laugh  at  the  old  folks,  and  never  fly 
at  your  servants,  nor  SMOKE  people  before 
their  faces. 

1814.  COLMAN,  Poet  Vagaries,  150. 
These  quizzers,  queerers,  SMOKERS. 

d.  1840.  D'ARBLAY,  Diary  (1842),  ii.  69. 
What  a  SMOKING  did  Miss  Burney  give 
Mr.  Crutchley. 

4.  (B.    E.).  — 'To    affront    a 
Stranger  at  his  coming  in.' 

5.  (venery).  —  To     copulate 
(FLETCHER)  :  see  RIDE. 


6.  (old). — To  raise  a  dust  by 
beating :    cf.    TO    DUST    ONE'S 
JACKET. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  K.  John,  ii.  i, 
139.  I'll  SMOKE  your  skin-coat,  an  I  catch 
you  right. 

7.  (Australian). — To  decamp: 
see  ABSQUATULATE. 

1893.  Sydney  M.  Herald,  26  June, 
8,  8.  He  said  to  the  larrikins,  .  .  .  '  You 
have  killed  him.1  'What!'  said  one  of 
them,  '  do  not  say  we  were  here.  Let  us 


PHRASES.      LIKE    SMOKE  = 
rapidly  :  see  LIKE  ;  ALL  SMOKE, 

GAMMON,     AND     SPINACH  =  all 

nothing  ;  '  No  SMOKE,  but  there's 
fire  '  (or  '  Where  there's  SMOKE 
there's  fire  ')  '  of  a  thing  that  will 
out'  (B.  E.).  See  KNOCK; 
PIPE;  TAKE. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.)  in. 
105.  Taking  money  LIKE  SMOKE. 

SMOKER  (or  SMOKE-SHELL),  subs. 
(common).  I.  A  chamber-pot: 
see  IT. 

2.  (B.    E.).  —  'A    Vessel    to 
Blind  the  Enemies,  to  make  way 
for  the  Machine  to  play. 

3.  (colloquial).  —  A  smoking- 
carriage  :  see  SMOKE  3.     Also  4. 
(old)  =  a  tobacconist  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE). 

5.  (old).     6"<?<?quot. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Arch.  Words,  s.v. 
SMOKER.  At  Preston,  before  the  passing 
of  the  Reform  Bill  in  1832,  every  person 
who  had  a  cottage  with  a  chimney  and 
used  the  latter,  had  a  vote,  and  was  called 
a  SMOKER. 

SMOKE-STACK,  subs.  phr.  (nauti- 
cal). —  A  steam-boat. 

1902.  Athenceum,  8  Feb.,  177,  i. 
The  author  shows  the  proper  sailor-man's 
contempt  for  SMOKE-STACKS,  and  to  this 
day  would  sooner  travel  in  a  "  wind- 
jammer "  than  a  P.  &  O.  boat  —  or  one  of 
his  readers  is  mistaken. 

SMOOTH,  subs.  (American).  —  A 
meadow  ;  a  grass-plot  ;  a  lawn. 

1870.     JUDD,    Margaret,    i.    2.     Get 
and    dandelion 


some    plantain 
SMOOTH  for  greens. 


on    the 


SMOOTHER,  subs.  (old).  —  See  quot. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  in.  iii. 
My  claw-backs,  my  SMOOTHERS,  my  para- 
sites. 

SMOTHERATION,  subs.  (American). 
—  i.  Suffocation. 


Smouch. 


272 


Smug. 


2.  (American).  —  A  dish  (pork 
or  beef)  smothered  with  potatoes 
\cf.  SMOTHER,  an  old  cookery 
term  —  *  rabbits  SMOTHERED  in 
onions  ']. 

SMOUCH,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A  low- 
crowned  hat  (HALLIWELL). 

2.  See  SMOUS. 

Verb,  (old).—  I.  To  kiss  :  as 
subs,  (or  SMOUCHER)  =  a  kiss. 

1578.  WHETSTONE,  Promos  and 
Cassandra,  47.  Come,  smack  me  ;  I  long 
for  a  SMOUCH. 

1583.  STUBBES,  Anat.  Abuses,  114. 
What  bussing,  what  SMOUCHING,  and 
slabbering  one  of  another. 

1600.  Weakest  to  Wall,  i.  3.  You 
will  love  me,  SMOUCH  me,  be  my  secret 
vriend. 

1600.  HEYWOOD,  /  Ed.  IV.  [PEAR- 
SON, Works  (1874),  i.  40].  I  had  rather 
than  a  bend  of  leather,  Shee  and  I  might 
SMOUCH  together. 

1606.  Ret.  from  Parnassus.  Why 
how  now  pedant  Phoebus,  are  you 
SMOUTCHING  Thalia  on  her  tender  lips  ? 

2.  (old).  —  To  chouse  ;  to 
trick;  to  take  an  unfair  advan- 
tage. 

SMOUS  (or  SMOUCH),  subs.  (old).  — 
A  Jew  (GROSE).  Also  (2)  a 
sharper. 

1705.  B  o  s  M  A  N,  Description  of 
Guinea,  Letter  XL  As  impertenant  and 
noisy  as  the  SMOUSE  or  German  Jews  at 
their  synagogue  at  Amsterdam. 

1760.  JOHNSTON,  Chrysal,  \.  228.  I 
saw  them  roast  some  poor  SMOUCHES  at 
Lisbon  because  they  would  not  eat  pork. 

1764.  C.  MACKLIN,  Man  of  the 
World,  ii.  i.  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  ...  I  honour 
the  SMOUSE. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg:,  '  Mer. 
of  Venice.'  You  find  fault  mit  ma  par- 
gains,  and  say  I'm  a  SMOUCH. 


SNOUTING,  subs,  (old  printers').  — 
See  quot:  now  GRASSING  (q.v.). 


1688.  R.  HOLME,  Academy,  &>c. 
Workmen,  when  they  are  out  of  constant 
work,  sometimes  accept  of  a  day  or  two's 
work  or  a  week's  work  at  another  printing 
house  ;  this  by-work  they  call  SMOUTING. 

SMOUZE,  verb.  (American). — 'To 
demolish ;  as  with  a  blow'  (BART- 
LETT). 

SMUG,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  black- 
smith (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

1611.  ROWLAND,  Knave  of  Clubs.  A 
SMUG  of  Vulcan's  forging  trade. 

1629.  DEKKER,  Londons  Tempe.  I 
must  now  A  golden  handle  make  for  my 
wife's  fann,  Worke,  my  fine  SMUGGES. 

1709.  WARD,  Works,  i.  133.  You're 
an  impudent  slut,  cries  the  SMUG  at  his 
bellows. 

2.  (common).  —  An  affectedly 
proper    or    self-satisfied    person. 
Hence  as  adj.  (B.  E.  and  GROSE  : 
now      accepted)  =  '  Neat      and 
spruce.' 

3.  (school  and  university).  — See 
quot.     As  verb.  =to  work  hard. 

1888.  GOSCHEN,  Speech  at  Aberdeen, 
3t   Jan.     The  heinous    offence    of   being 
absorbed  in  it  [work].    Schools  and  Colleges 
.  .  .  have     invented  .  .  .  phrases,    semi- 
classical,   or    wholly  vernacular,   such  as 
'  sap,' '  SMUG,'  '  swot,' '  bloke,'  '  amugster.' 

1889.  Lancet,  n.  471.    Students  .  .  . 
continually  at    study  .  .  .  absent-minded 
.  .  .  often  offended  at  .  .  .  a  joke.     They 
become  labelled  SMUGS  and  are  avoided  by 
their  class-mates. 

Verb,  (common). — I.  To  pilfer; 
to  snatch  :  in  quot.  1633  =  to 
sneak  into  favour.  Hence  SMUG- 
GINGS  (see  quot.  1847).  SMUG- 
LAY  (old  thieves'),  see  quots. 
c.  1696  and  1785:  also  SMUGGLER. 

£.1633.  FLETCHER  [HALLIWELL].  Thou 
mayst  succeed  Ganymede  in  his  place,  And 
unsuspected  SMUG  the  Thund'rers  face.  O 
happy  she  shall  climbe  thy  tender  bed,  And 
make  thee  man  first  for  a  maidenhead. 

£.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SMUG-LAV.  Those  that  Cheat  the  King  of 
his  Customs  by  private  Imports  and  Ex- 
ports. 


Smuggle. 


273 


Snabble. 


1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SMUG-LAY.  Persons  who  pretend  to  be 
smugglers  of  lace  and  valuable  articles  ; 
these  men  borrow  money  of  publicans  by 
depositing  these  goods  in  their  hands  ;  they 
shortly  afterwards  decamp,  and  the  publi- 
can discovers  too  late  that  he  has  been 
duped,  and  on  opening  the  pretended 
treasure  he  finds  trifling  articles  of  no 
value. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Arch.  Words,  s.v. 
SMUGGING.  Games  had  .  .  .  times  or 
seasons  .  .  .  when  any  game  was  out,  as 
it  was  termed,  it  was  lawful  to  steal  the 
thing  played  with  .  .  .  '  Tops  are  in,  spin 
'em  again ;  Tops  are  out,  SMUGGING'S 
about.' 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  n. 
508.  I  shouldn't  mind  his  licking  me  ;  I'd 
SMUG  his  money,  and  get  his  halfpence,  or 
somethink.  Ibid.  After  that  he  used  to 
go  SMUGGLING,  running  away  with  other 
people's  things. 

2.  (thieves').— To  hush  up  ;  (3) 
to  steal ;  and  (4)  to  apprehend. 

1857.  M.  Ckron.,3  Oct.  She  wanted 
a  guarantee  the  case  should  be  SMUGGED, 
or  in  other  words  compromised. 

1877.  HORSLEY,  Jotttng-s  from  Jail. 
Then  two  or  three  more  coppers  came  up, 
and  we  got  SMUGGED,  and  got  a  sixer  each. 

SMUGGLE,  verb,  (old  colloquial).— 
i.  To  cuddle ;  to  fondle  :  cf. 
SNUGGLE. 

1698.  FARQUHAR,  Love  and  a  Bottle, 
i.  i.  Oh,  the  little  lips  !  and  'tis  the  best- 
natured  little  dear  [SMUGGLES  and  kisses 
it]. 

1709.  WARD,  Works,  i.  68.  You  may 
SMUGGLE  and  grope  .  .  .  But  must  pay 
for  the  ultimate  favour. 

2.  (schools').  —  To  sharpen  a 
pencil  at  both  ends.  Hence  SMUG- 
GLER =  a  pencil  thus  sharpened. 

SMUGGLING-KEN,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  bawdy  house  (GROSE). 

SMULKIN,  subs.  (old). — A  brass 
farthing  (Irish) :  temp.  Eliz. 

SMUSA,  verb.  (GROSE).  —  *  To 
snatch  or  seize  suddenly.' 


SMUT,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  Ob- 
scenity ;  ribaldry.  Hence  SMUT- 
TY  =  lewd,  obscene,  NUTTY  (q.v.); 
SMUTTINESS  =  bawdry  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE). 

1698.  COLLIER,  Eng.  Stage,  6. 
SMUTTINESS  is  a  fault  in  behaviour  as  well 
as  in  religion.  Ibid.,  24.  There  are  no 
SMUTTY  songs  in  their  plays,  in  which  the 
English  are  extremely  scandalous. 

a?.  1704.  BROWN,  Works,  i.  237.  The 
Judge  gravely  tells  them,  Look  ye,  Ladies 
we  have  a  SMUTTY  Tryal  coming  on  ... 
yet  the  Devil  a  Lady  will  flinch. 

1709.  WARD,  London  Terrafilius,  2. 
12  [Works  (1709),  i.]  She  ...  has  as 
many  SMUTTY  stories  at  her  tongue's  end 
as  an  old  parish  clerk. 

d.ijig.  ADDISON,  The  Lover,  39.  He 
.  _.  .  will  talk  SMUT,  though  a  priest  and 
his  mother  be  in  the  room. 

1722.  STEELE,  Conscious  Lovers, 
Prol.  Another  SMUTS  his  scene. 

1734.  POPE,  Satires,  Prol.  Spite, 
or  SMUT,  or  rhymes,  or  blasphemies. 

1746.  SMOLLETT,  Advice,  172.  The 
SMUTTY  joke,  ridiculously  lewd. 

1857.  Punch,  31  Jan.,  '  The  Stone 
Tug.'  A  goney  ...  As  ain't  up  to  our 
lurks,  our  flash  patter  and  SMUT. 

2.  (various').  —  (a)  A  copper 
boiler  (GROSE,  VAUX,  and  HOT- 
TEN)  ;  (b)  =  a  grate  (GROSE  ;  in 
VAUX  =  a  furnace) ;  (<r)  =  old  iron 
(GROSE). 

See  BROTHER  SMUT. 

SNABBLE.  verb.  (old). — i.  Generic 
for  force  :  e.g.  to  rifle  or  plunder, 
to  arrest,  to  kill ;  to  eat  greedily 
(GROSE). 

1724.  HARPER  [Harlequin  Sheppard, 
'  Frisky  Moll's  Song  '].  But  fileing  of  a 
rumbo  ken,  My  Boman  is  SNABBLED  again. 

1752.  SMOLLETT,  Faithful  Narra- 
tive, Wks.  (1901,  xii.  184).  The  very  cull 
who  hath  a  warrant  against  me  for  SNAB- 
BLING  his  peeter  and  queer  Joseph. 

2.  (venery).  —  To  copulate  : 
see  RIDE. 


Snabby. 


274 


Snag. 


SNABBY  (or  SNAB),  adj.  (Ameri- 
can). —  Stylish  ;  tasteful ;  good- 
looking  [BARTLETT  :  '  a  college 
word ']. 

SNACK,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  A 
share  ;  a  portion  :  TO  GO  SNACKS 
(or  TO  SNACK)  =  to  share  ;  to 
divide  (B.  E.,  GROSE  and  BEE). 

1675.  WYCHERLEY,  Country  Wife, 
Hi.  2.  Who  is  that  that  is  to  be  bubbled  ? 
Faith,  let  me  SNACK  ;  I  ha'n't  met  with  a 
bubble  since  Christmas. 

1701.  FARQUHAR,  Sir  Harry  Wild- 
air,  iv.  2.  Well,  Monsieur,  'tis  about  a 
thousand  pounds  ;  we  GO  SNACKS. 

^.1704.  LESTRANGE,  Works  [Century], 
If  the  master  gets  the  better  on't,  they 
come  in  for  their  SNACK. 

d.ryo*.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  108.  The 
Cardinal  d'Estree  being  passionately  in 
love  with  the  marchioness  de  Coeuvres 
who  was  supposed  to  have  granted  the 
duke  de  Sceaux  the  liberty  of  rifling  her 
placket,  was  resolved  to  put  in  for  his 

SNACK. 

1719.  SMITH,  Highwaymen,  i.  85. 
He  and  his  comiades  coming  to  an  inn  to 
SNACK  their  booty. 

1734.  POPE,  Satires,  Prol.  All  my 
demurs  but  double  his  attacks  ;  At  last  he 
whispers,  '  Do,  and  we  GO  SNACKS.' 

1789.  PARKER,  Life's  Painter,  149. 
SNACK  the  bit. 

c.i  790.  Ireland  Sixty  Years  Ago, 
1  Kilmainham  Minit,'  87.  He  merrily 
melted  de  winners,  To  SNACK  wi'  de  boys 
of  de  pad. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  378.  You  shall  GO  SNACKS  in  all 
that  we  can  squeeze  out  of  the  old  fellow. 

2.  (colloquial). — A  hasty  meal ; 
a  BITE  (q.v.). — BEE. 

1763.  FOOTE,  Mayor  of  Garratt,  i. 
Come,  son  Bruin,  we  are  all  seated  at 
table,  man  ;  we  have  but  just  time  for  a 
SNACK. 

1818.  SCOTT,  Midlothian,  xxxviii. 
The  cloth  is  laid  ...  it  is  past  three 
o'clock  ...  I  have  been  waiting  this  hour 
for  you,  and  I  have  had  a  SNACK  myself. 

3.  (common). — An  innuendo  ; 
a   jibe :    e.g.   '  That's    a   NASTY 
SNACK  for  you.'    As  verb.  —  to 
QUIZ;     TO     ROAST     (q.V.).       Cf. 
SNAG. 


1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  112.  It 
gives  no  ground  for  spiteful  SNACKS. 

4.  (Winchester  College).— A 
racket  ball. 

SNAFFLE,  subs.  (old). — Talk  :  spec, 
conversation  uninteresting  or  un- 
intelligible to  those  present:  d. 
SHOP. 

Verb.  (old).  —  i.  To  steal. 
Whence  SNAFFLE  (or  SNAFFLER) 
=  a  thief  :  spec,  a  highwayman  ; 
SNAFFLING-LAY  =  highway  rob- 
bery ;  SNAFFLED  =  arrested. 

1724.  HARPER,  '  Frisky  Moll's  Song ' 
[Harlequin  Jack  Shep]f>ard\.  From 
priggs  that  SNAFFLE  the  prancers  strong. 

1751.  FIELDING,  Amelia,  i.  3.  I 
thought  by  your  look  you  had  been  a 
clever  fellow,  and  upon  the  SNAFFLING 
LAY  at  least ;  but  ...  I  find  you  are 
some  sneaking-budge  rascal. 

2.  (thieves'). — To  arrest  ;  TO 
PULL  UP  (q.v.\ 

SNAG,  subs,  (common).  —  i.  A 
tooth :  spec,  a  long,  irregular 
tooth  (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  :  also 
SNAGGLER  :  see  GRINDERS. 
Whence  SNAG  -  CATCHER  =  a 
dentist. 
1717.  PRIOR,  Alma,  ii.  148.  In 

China  none  hold   women  sweet,   Except 

their  SNAGS  are  black  as  jet. 

2.  (common). — An  unsuspected 
hindrance    or    set-back.      [Orig. 
American  =  a  half  sunken  tree  im- 
peding river  navigation.]   Hence, 
as    verb.  —  to    embarrass.       To 
CATCH  A   SNAG  =  to   get  a  re- 
buff, to  get  snubbed  :  cf.  SNACK. 

1881.  W.  PHILLIPS,  Speeches,  38. 
Stagnant  times  have  been  when  a  great 
mind,  anchored  in  error,  might  SNAG  the 
slow  moving  current  of  society. 

1901.  Free  Lance,  30  Nov.,  220,  i. 
The  nasty  little  SNAGS  the  average  man  of 
business  is  apt  to  encounter  daily. 

3.  (old).— A  snail  (B    E.  and 
GROSE). 


Snaggle. 


275 


Snam. 


To  SNAG  ON,  verb.  phr. 
(American). — To  attach  oneself 
to  another. 

SNAGGLE,  verb,  (common). — To 
angle  for  poultry. 

SNAIL,  subs,  (colloquial). — A  drone : 
cf.  SLUG.  Hence  as  verb,  (or  TO 
GO  AT  A  SNAIL'S  PACE  or  GALLOP) 
=  to  move  very  slowly. 

1582.  STANYHURST,  AZneid,  iv.  689. 
This  sayd  shee  trots  on  SNAYLING,  lyk  a 
toothshaken  old  hagge. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Comedy  of 
Errors,  ii.  2,  196.  Thou  drone,  thou 
SNAIL,  thou  slug,  thou  sot. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  \.  73.  I 
see  what  Haste  you  make,  you  are  never 
the  forwarder,  you  go  A  SNAIL'S  GALLOP. 

1748.  RICHARDSON,  Clarissa,  iv. 
124.  SNAIL  ON  in  a  track  we  are  ac- 
quainted with. 

1821.  COOMBE,  Dr.  Syntax,  in.  iii. 
He,  by  degrees,  would  seldom  fail  T'adopt 

THE  GALLOP  OF  A  SNAIL. 

SNAKE,  subs.  (old). — i.  *A  term 
of  contempt ;  2  (colloquial)  =  a 
secret  plotter,  a  hidden  foe  :  e.g., 
'  a  SNAKE  in  the  grass.' 

1600.  SHAKSPEARE,  As  You  Like  It, 
iv.  3.  Well,  go  your  way  to  her,  for  I  see 
love  hath  made  thee  a  tame  SNAKE. 

1612-3.  FLETCHER,  Captain,  i.  3. 
Admit  'em  ;  but  no  SNAKES  to  poison  us 
With  poverty. 

e.i62o.  HEALY,  Disc.  New  World, 
114.  The  poor  SNAKES  dare  not  so  much 
as  wipe  their  mouthes  unless  their  wives 
bidde  them. 

1636.  Clitus's  Whimzies,  67.  For 
those  poore  SNAKES  who  feed  on  rever- 
sions, a  glimpse  through  the  keyhole,  or  a 
light  through  the  grate,  must  be  all  their 
prospect. 

1638.  RANDOLPH,  Muses'  Looking 
Glass  [DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  ix. 
228].  But  I  have  found  him  a  poor  baffled 

SNAKE. 

1677.  COLES,  Eng.-Lat.  Diet.  A 
poore  SNAKE,  Iries. 

3.  (tailors').— A  skein  of  silk. 


Verb,  (thieves').— I.  To  steal 
warily :  cf.  SNEAK. 

2.  (American). — To  beat ;  to 
thrash. 

i8[?].  LEADSTREET,  SoutJtern 
Sketches,  120.  Any  gal  like  me  ...  ought 
to  be  able  to  SNAKE  any  man  of  her  heft. 

PHRASES. — To  SNAKE  OUT 
(ALONG  or  up)  =  to  drag  or  worm 
out ;  TO  SNAKE  IN  =  to  steal  in, 
to  draw  in ;  TO  GIVE  ONE  A 

SNAKE  =  to  vex  ;   TO  SNAKE  THE 

POOL  =  to  take  the  pool  (bil- 
liards') ;  A  CAUTION  TO  SNAKES 
=  a  matter  of  surprise,  something 
singular,  a  REVELATION  (g.v.); 
SNAKES  IN  THE  BOOTS  =  delirium 
tremens :  also  TO  SEE  SNAKES  ; 
'As  sure  as  there's  SNAKES  in 
Virginny '  =  as  sure  as  may  be. 

1848.  LOWELL,  Big  low  Papers. 
Pomp  he  SNAKED  UP  behind,  And  creeping 
gradually  close  to  ...  Jest  grabbed  my 
leg. 

1877.  Boston  Bulletin,  Feb.  Al- 
though they  could  not  open  the  doors  of 
the  Church  to  him,  perhaps  he  might  be 
SNAKED  IN  under  the  canvas. 

1883.  Phil.  Press,   2810,   4.     Unless 
some  legal  loophole  can  be  found  through 
which    an    evasion    or    extension   can   be 
successfully  SNAKED. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huck.  Finn.    Well, 
it  beats  me,  and  SNAKED  a  lot  of  letters 
OUT  of  his  pocket. 

1893.  .Sci-  Amer.-i  N.  S.,  Ixix.  265. 
After  mining  the  log  is  easily  SNAKED  OUT 
of  the  swamp. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  '  Her  Sun- 
day Clothes,'  105.  Her  Sunday  best  was 
her  week-day  worst,  'Twas  simply  A 

CAUTION   TO   SNAKES. 

SNAKE-IN-THE-GRASS,  suds.  phr. 
(rhyming). — A  glass. 

See  SNAKE. 
SNAKESMAN.    See  SNEAK. 

SNAM,  verb,  (thieves').— To  steal : 
spec,  to  snatch  from  the  person  : 

also  ON   THE  SNAM. 


Snap. 


276 


Snap. 


1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Good  Night. 
Likewise  you  copper's  narks  and  dubs 
What  pinched  me  when  UPON  THE  SNAM. 

SNAP,  subs,  (old).— i.  A  sharper ; 
a  pilferer ;  a  cheat  :  spec,  a  thief 
claiming  a  share  of  booty  (in  quot. 
1 731  =a.  sharking  lawyer).  Also 
SNAPPER  and  SNAPPER-UP.  As 
verb.  —  to  claim  a  share  ;  TO  NAP 
THE  REGULARS  (q.V.)  ;  ON  THE 

SNAP  =  (i)  waiting  a  chance  of 
robbery  ;  and  2  (modern)  looking 
out  for  odd  jobs. 

1604.  SHAKSPEARE,  Winter's  Tale, 
iv.  3,  26.  A  SNAPPER-UP  of  unconsidered 

1611.  MIDDLETON,  Roaring  Girl 
[Old  Plays,  vi.  113].  Then  there's  a 
cloyer,  or  SNAP,  that  dogs  any  new  brother 
in  that  trade,  and  SNAPS— will  have  half  in 
any  booty. 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Spanish  Curate, 
li.  i.  Take  heed  of  a  SNAP,  sir;  h'as  a 
cozening  countenance. 

1653.  WILSON,  James  I.  Butler, 
being  a  subtle  SNAP,  wrought  so  with  his 
companion,  with  promises  of  a  share,  that 
he  got  the  possession  of  it. 

^.1704.  LESTRANGE,  Works  [Ency. 
Diet.  ].  He  had  no  sooner  said  out  his  say 
but  up  rises  a  cunning  SNAP  then  at  the 
board 

^.1731.  WARD,  Honesty  in  Distress. 
Brother  SNAP  .  .  .  here's  a  welcome  guest. 

2.  (old). — A  scrap;  a  portion  ; 
a  share :    cf.   SNACK.     Hence  a 
small  standard  of  value  :  e.g.,  NOT 
A  SNAP  =  nothing  ;  NOT  WORTH 
A  SNAP  =  worthless. 

1561.  AWDELEY,  Frat.  Vacabondes, 
4.  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,\.^is.  A  man 
gets  a  share  or  SNAP  unto  himself ;  hence 
comes  TO  GO  SNACKS,  with  the  usual  inter- 
change of  c  and  />]. 

1648-58.  FULLER,  Holy  and  Prof. 
States,  v.  xiv.  i.  Alms  of  learning,  here 
a  SNAP,  there  a  piece  of  knowledge. 

3.  (common).— A    project;    a 
business— any  happening  :    e.g., 
A   COLD  SNAP  =  a   sudden  spell 
of  cold  weather ;  A  SOFT  SNAP  = 
a  pleasant  time,  a  profitable  affair; 


TO   GIVE    THE    SNAP    AWAY  =  to 

discover.     Also  SNAP  (theatrical) 
=  a  short  engagement. 

1886.  Field,  9  Jan.     If  we  are  to  be 
interned    for    a    cold   SNAP    it  will  be  a 
pleasure  to  think  of  this  Tuesday's  sport. 

1887.  FRANCIS,  Saddle  and  Mocas- 
sin.    I  want  fifty  dollars  for  an  hour  or  two 
.  .  .  I've  got  a  SOFT  SNAP  on,  can't  miss  it. 

i8[?].  FREUND,  Music  and  Drama, 
xiv.  xvi.  3.  Actors  and  actresses  who 
have  just  come  in  from  summer  SNAPS,  to 
prepare  for  the  work  of  the  coming  season. 

4.  (common). — A  hasty  meal ; 
a  SNACK  (q.v.\. 

*£i88o.  ELIOT,  Janet's  Repentance,  i. 
Two  hearty  meals  that  might  have  been 
mistaken  for  dinners  if  he  had  not  declared 
them  to  be  SNAPS. 

5.  (American).  —  Knowledge ; 
energy,    GO    (q.v.) ;    SNAPPY  = 
lively,  amusing. 

i8[?].  Book  of  Shorts  [Century],  118. 
[Lacrosse]  ...  a  game  well  suited  to  the 
American  taste,  being  short,  SNAPPY  and 
vivacious,  from  beginning  to  end. 

1885.  G.  S.  MERRIAM,  S.  Bowles,  ir. 
375.  The  vigorous  vernacular  .  .  .  gave 
zest  and  SNAP  to  many  a  paragraph. 

1888.  LESTER  WALLACK  \Scribner 's 
Mag-.,  iv.  722].     That  act  went  with  the 
most  perfect  SNAP. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  90.  I 
thought  you  had  more  business  SNAP. 

Adj.  (colloquial). — On  the  spur 
of  the  moment ;  without  prepara- 
tion :  as  subs.  =  a  chance  (or 
SCRATCH)  comer,  player,  crew, 
team,  &c.).  Thus,  a  SNAP-DIVI- 
SION =  an  unexpected  vote  ;  SNAP- 
JUDGMENT  =  a  verdict  hastily 
got  or  given  ;  SNAP-SHOT  =  (i) 
a  shot  fired  without  deliberate 
aim,  and  (2)  a  photograph  taken 
unawares.  As  verb.  =  to  take 
an  instantaneous  photograph  with 
a  hand  camera  :  also  TO  SNAP- 
SHOT. 

1860.  RUSSELL,  Diary  in  India,  \. 
346.  Our  appearance  attracted  SHOTS 
from  all  quarters.  Fellows  took  SNAPS  at 
us  from  balconies,  from  doors,  on  the 
roofs  of  houses. 


Snapped. 


277 


Snatch-blotch* 


1888.  Nineteenth  Century,  xxiii. 
252.  The  previous  assent  of  the  Chair  to 
the  motion  for  closure  would  prevent 
SNAP-DIVISIONS. 

1889-90.  St.  Nicholas,  xvii.  1054.  A 
painter  .  .  .  hit  upon  the  plan  of  using  a 
hand  camera  with  which  he  followed  the 
babies  about  SNAPPING  them  in  their  best 
positions. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  130. 
My  .  .  .  friend  had  brought  him  along  as 
a  SNAP  ...  I  supposed  of  course  that  he 
was  all  right,  or  his  friend  would  not  have 
invited  him  in  the  game. 

PHRASES.  —  To  SNAP  THE 
GLAZE  =  ' to  smash  shop  windows' 
(GROSE)  ;  TO  SNAP  THE  EYE  =  to 
wink  ;  ON  THE  SNAP  =  on  the 
look  out,  on  the  MOUCH  (q.v."). 

SNAPPED,  adj.  (American).  —  i. 
Drunk :  see  SCREWED. 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship,  102. 
He  got  SNAPT  on  egg-nog. 

2.  (old).  —  '  Taken,  caught ' 
(B.  E.). 

SNAPPER,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  pistol 
(GROSE).     Also  (2)  =  a  castanet ; 
and  (3)  =  a  cracker  bonbon. 
1587.     HARRISON,  Desc.  of  England 

[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.   2.    Amongst 

the  new  substantives  are  SNAPPER  (pistol) 

butt-end  .  .  .]. 

1615.  SANDYS,  Travels,  172.  Their 
musicke  is  answerable  ;  the  instruments  no 
other  than  SNAPPERS,  gingles,  and  round 
bottomed  drums. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Infolds.  Leg., 
'Wedding-day.'  And  nasty  French 
lucifer  SNAPPERS  with  mottoes. 

4.    (American). — A   braggart  : 

also  SNAPPERHEAD. 

THE  SNAPPERS,  subs.  phr. 
(military). — The  East  Yorkshire 
Regiment,  formerly  The  I5th 
Foot.  Also  "  The  Poona 
Guards." 

SNAPPISH, adj.  (B.  E.).— 'Peevish, 
quarrelsome  (a  Man)  ;  apt  to  Bite 
(a  Dog).' 


SNAP-SHOT.    See  SNAP. 

SNARLER,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
dog. 

SNATCH,  sttbs.  (old).— i.  A 
shuffling  answer  ;  an  evasive 
reply. 

1603.  SHAKSPEARE,  Meas.  for 
Meas.,  iv.  2,  6.  Come,  sir,  leave  me  your 
SNATCHES,  and  yield  me  a  direct  answer. 

2.  (old). — A    hasty   meal  ;    a 
SNACK  (q.V.}  :   also  SNATCH   AND 
AWAY. 

1573.  TUSSER,  Husbandrie,  168.  A 
SNATCH  and  to  worke,  fellowes  tarrie  not 
here. 

1585.  Nomenclator.  Prandium  sta- 
tarium  .  .  .  Manger  debout  pu  en  pied. 
A  standing  dinner,  which  is  eaten  in 
haste  ;  a  SNATCH  AND  AWAY. 

1623.  MASSINGER,  Duke  of  Milan, 
Hi.  2.  I  fear  you'll  have  cold  entertain- 
ment .  .  .  'twere  discretion  to  take  a 
SNATCH  by  the  way. 

3.  (venery). — A  hasty  act   of 
kind ;  a  FLYER  (q.v. ). 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  of  Melan., 
III.  ii.  v.  3.  They  had  rather  go  to  the 
stews,  or  have  now  and  then  a  SNATCH  as 
they  can  come  by  it,  borrow  of  their  neigh- 
bours, than  have  wives  of  their  own.  Ibid. 
I  could  not  abide  marriage,  but  as  a 
rambler  I  took  a  SNATCH  when  I  could 
get  it. 

IN  (or  BY)  SNATCHES,  phr. 
(colloquial). — By  fits  and  starts; 
spasmodically :  also  SNATCHY. 

1573-9.  HARVEY,  Letters  (Camden 
Soc.),  178.  I  purpose  to  heare  M.  Doctor 
Bing  and  "  get "  gleane  as  mutch  as  I  can 

BI  SNATCHES. 

1865.  DICKENS,  Mutual  Friend,  ii. 
4.  Transactions  of  business  ...  at  un- 
timely hours  .  .  .  and  in  rushes  and 

SNATCHES. 

1883.  Cambridge  Sketches,  16.  The 
modern  style  seems  short  and  SNATCHY  ;  it 
has  not  the  long  majestic  sweep  of  former 
days. 

SNATCH-B LATCH,  subs.  phr.  (ve- 
nery).— The  female  pudendum: 
see  MONOSYLLABLE. 


Snatcher. 


278 


Sneaking. 


SNATCH ER,  subs.  (old). — A  thief: 
spec,  a  camp-follower.  SNATCH- 
CLY  =  a  pickpocket  (GROSE). 

1599.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hen.  V.,  i.  2. 
We  do  not  mean  the  coursing  SNATCH  ERS 
only. 

1820.  SCOTT,  Monastery,  \.  They 
would  have  fallen  a  speedy  prey  to  some  of 
the  SNATCHERS  in  the  neighbourhood. 

See  BODYSNATCHER. 

SNATCH-PASTRY,  subs.  phr.  (HAL- 
LI  WELL). — A  greedy  fellow. 

SNAVEL,  verb,  (old).— To  steal : 
spec,  by  snatching  or  PICKING 
(q.v.) :  cf.  SNABBLE  (BEE)  and 
see  RUNNING  SNAVEL. 

SNEAK,  subs,  (common). — A  petty 
thief :  also  SNEAK-THIEF,  SNEAK- 
ING-BUDGE, and  SNEAKSMAN  : 
see  quot.  1819,  AREA-SNEAK,  and 
cf.  RAMP  and  RUSH.  Hence 

MORNING  -  SNEAK  =  an  EARLY 
BIRD  (f.V.)  ;  EVENING-SNEAK  = 

a  night  thief;  UPRIGHT  SNEAK  = 
a  thief  preying  on  potboy s(B.  E., 
GROSE  and  VAUX).  As  verb.  = 
to  pilfer,  to  steal :  spec.  '  to  walk 
about  undefinedly,  to  see  what 
may  be  picked  up '  (BEE)  ; 

SNEAKING  ON  THE   LURK  (or  ON 

THE  SNEAK)  =  prowling  for  booty. 

1744.  FIELDING,  Jonathan  Wild. 
Wild  .  .  .  looked  upon  borrowing  ...  as 
.  .  .  the  genteelest  kind  of  SNEAKING- 
BUDGE,  laid.  (1751),  Amelia,  i.  3.  I  find 
you  are  some  SNEAKING-BUDGE  rascal. 

1819.  VAUX,  Memoirs,  s.v.  SNEAK. 
The  SNEAK  is  the  practice  of  robbing 
houses  or  shops,  by  slipping  in  unper- 
ceived,  and  taking  whatever  may  lay  most 
convenient ;  this  is  commonly  the  first 
branch  of  thieving,  in  which  young  boys 
are  initiated,  who,  from  their  size  and 
activity,  appear  well  adapted  for  it.  To 
SNEAK  a  place,  is  to  rob  it  UPON  THE 
SNEAK.  A  SNEAK  is  a  robbery  effected  in 
the  above  manner.  One  or  more  prisoners 
having  escaped  from  their  confinement  by 
stealth,  without  using  any  violence,  or 
alarming  their  keepers,  are  said  to  have 
SNEAK'D  'EM,  or  given  it  to  'em  UPON  THE 
SNEAK. 


1829.  Life  and  Death  of  James 
Wilson.  That  awful  monster,  William 
Burke,  Like  Reynard  SNEAKING  ON  THE 
LURK. 

1834.      AlNSWORTH,   RooklVOod,  III.  V. 

Until  at  last  there  was  none  so  knowing, 
No  such  SNEAKSMAN  or  buz-gloak  going. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  31.  My 
'Arry  SNEAKS  my  cady  on  the  sly.  Ibid. , 
32.  The  elder  of  the  twain  Had  .  .  . 
SNEAKED  a  quid.  Ibid.,  107.  Strictly 
speaking,  it  was  SNEAKING  (He  preferred 
the  term  '  convey  ')• 

T  899.  WHITEING,  John  St. ,  v.  They 
ain't  no  class  .  .  .  Fancies  theirselves 
burglars — Nothin*  o'  the  sort — SNEAK 
THIEVES. 

1902.  LYNCH,  High  Stakes,  xx.  I 
believe  it  will  be  best  ...  to  keep  to  the 
SNEAK-THIEF  theory. 

2.  (thieves'). — See  quot. 

1873.  GREENWOOD,  In  Strange  Com- 
pany. SNEAKS  .  .  .  are  shoes  with  can- 
vas tops  and  india-rubber  soles. 

3.  (cricketers'). — A  ground  ball 
having    no    pitch    whatever  ;    A 

DAISY-TRIMMER  (or  CUTTER)  ; 
GRUB  ;  Or  UNDERGROUNDER 
(q.V.\ 

SNEAKBILL.    See  SNEAKSBY. 

SNEAK-CUP,  subs.  phr.  (old). — One 
who  shies  his  drink  :  hence,  a 
paltry  fellow  :  also  SNEAK-UP. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  /  Hen.  IV.,  iii. 
3.  How  ?  The  prince  is  a  Jack,  a  SNEAK- 
CUP. 

SNEAKER, subs.  (old). — i.  A  small 
bowl  (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  :  e.g.,  a 

SNEAKER  Of  punch. 

2.    (cricketers').  —  A    SNEAK, 
sttbs.  sense  3. 

SNEAKING,  adj.  (colloquial). — Un- 
avowed ;  undemonstrative:  e.g., 
a  '  SNEAKING  kindness '  ('  liking,' 
or  '  preference '). 

1753.  RICHARDSON,  Grandison,  i. 
290.  You,  my  dear,  shall  reveal  to  me 
your  SNEAKING  passion,  if  you  have  one, 
and  I  will  discover  mine. 


Sneaksby. 


279 


Sneeze. 


1812.  COOMBE,  Dr.  Syntax,  i.  vii. 
For  they  possess'd,  with  all  their  pother, 
A  SNEAKING  kindness  for  each  other. 

SNEAKSBY  (SNEAKBILL,  or 
SNEAKSBILL),  subs.  (old). — A 
sneak :  cf.  IDLESBY,  SURESBY, 
RUDESBY,  LEWDSBY,  WIGSBY, 
&c.  (GROSE).  Also  SNEAKING 
(B.  E.)  =  'sheepish  or  mean 
spirited ' ;  SNEAKBILL  (&dj. )  = 
sneaking. 

1577.  KENDALL,  Floures  of  Epi- 
grammes.  Perchaunce  thou  deemst  me  in 
thy  minde  Therefore  a  SNEEKBILL  snudge 
unkinde. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.  [HALLIWELL]. 
A  checheface,  mecher,  SNEAKEBILL, 
wretched  fellow,  one  out  of  whose  nose 
hunger  drops.  Ibid.  A  meacocke,  milke- 
sop,  SNEAKSBIE,  worthlesse  fellow. 

1651.  CARTWRIGHT,  Ordinary.  A 
base  thin-jaw'd  SNEAKSBILL,  Thus  to  work 
gallants  out  of  all. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  \.  xxv. 
Scurvy  SNEAKSBIES,  fondling  fops,  base 
loons. 

1685.  BARROW,  Sermons,  in.  xxxiv. 
A  demure  SNEAKSBY,  a  clownish  singu- 
larist. 

SNECK-DRAWER, subs.phr.  (Scots'). 
— A  latchlifter ;  a  slyboots. 
SNECK-DRAWING= crafty,  cheat- 
ing. 

c.1401.  Political  Poems,  ii.  98.  [On- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  192.  Among  the 
nouns  SNECK-DRAWER  ;  used  by  Scott.] 

^.1796.  BURNS,  Address  to  the  Deil. 
And  you,  ye  auld  SNECK-DRAWING  dog, 
Ye  came  to  Paradise  incog. 

1817.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  xxxviii. 
Sydall  is  an  auld  SNECK-DRAWER. 

SNECK  UP  !  intj.  (old).— Go  hang ! 

Also  SNICK  UP. 

1599.  Two  Angry  Women  of  Abing- 
don  [N  ARES].  If  they  be  not,  let  them  GO 
SNICK  UP. 

1602.  SHAKSPEARE,  Twelfth  Night, 
ii.  3,  101.  We  did  keep  time,  sir,  in  our 
catches.  SNECK  UP  ! 

1610.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER, 
Knight  of  Burning  Pestle,  iii.  i.  Let  him 
go  SNICK  UP  ! 


1611;  CHAPMAN,  Mayday,  iv.  But 
for  a  paltry  disguise  she  shall  go  SNICK  UP. 

^.1620.  HEALEY,  Disc.  New  World, 
106.  I  am  in  great  perplexitie,  least  my 
country-women  should  have  any  under- 
standing of  this  state  ;  for  if  they  have, 
wee  may  go  SNIC  UP  for  any  female  that 
will  bide  among  us. 

1630.  HEYWOOD,  Fair  Maid  of  West 
[PEARSON,  Works  (1874),  n-.  268J-  She 
shall  not  rise,  sir,  goe,  let  your  Master 
SNICK-UP  ! 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Praise  of  Hempseed. 
A  Tiburne  hempen-candell  will  e'en  cure 
you  :  It  can  cure  traitors,  but  I  hold  it  fit 
T'  apply  't  ere  they  the  treason  do  commit. 
Wherefore  in  Sparta  it  ycleped  was  SNICK- 
UP,  which  is  in  English  gallow-grass. 

1638.  FORD,  Lady's  Trial,  iii.  2. 
Dost  want  a  master  ?  If  thou  dost,  I'm  for 
thee ;  Else  choose,  and  SNECK  UP  ! 

1666.  Wily,,,  Beguil'd  [HAWKINS, 
Orig.  Drama,  iii.  342].  If  my  mistress 
would  be  ruled  by  him,  Sophos  might  GO 

SNICK   UP. 

SNEE.    See  SNICK-AND-SNEE. 

SNEERG,  subs,  (back  slang). — 
Greens. 

SNEERING,  adj.  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 
— 'Jeering,  flickering,  laughing 
in  scorn.' 

SNEEZE,  subs.  (old). — i.  Snuff: 
also  SNISH. 

2.  (common).— The  nose:  see 
SNEEZER. 

To  SNEEZE  AT,  verb.  phr. 
(common).  —  To  despise  ;  to 
scorn  :  usually  in  phrase  '  not  to 
be  SNEEZED  AT '=  worth  having 
or  considering. 

1820.  COOMBE,  Syntax,  ii.  5.  A  ... 
dame  .  .  .  who  wish'd  ...  to  change  her 
name,  And  .  .  .  would  NOT  perhaps  HAVE 
SNEEZED  AT  mine. 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  SNEEZE. 
A  handsome  girl  with  a  few  thousands 
tacked  to  her  arse  is  NOT  TO  BE  SNEEZED 
AT. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.,  '  The 
Coronation.,  If  any  bould  traitour  or  in- 
farior  craythur  SNEEZES  AT  THAT,  I'd  like 
to  see  the  man. 


Sneeze-lurker. 


280 


Snick-fadge. 


1855.  HALIBURTON,  Human  Nature, 
173.  My  knowledge  of  horse-flesh  AIN'T 

TO  BE  SNEEZED  AT. 

1857.  A-  H.  ELTON,  Below  the  Sur- 
face, xxvii.  My  professional  reputation  is 

NOT  TO   BE  SNEEZED  AT. 

SNEEZE-    (or    SNUFF-)    LURKER, 

subs.  phr.  (thieves'). — A  thief 
working  with  snuff,  pepper,  and 
the  like.  To  GIVE  ON  THE 

SNEEZE  (or  SNUFF)  RACKET='tO 

dose  a  man  in  the  eyes,  and  then 
rob  him'  (GROSE). 

SNEEZER,  subs,  (common).  —  i. 
Severe  weather  :  as  a  hard  frost 
or  a  violent  gale.  Whence  (2)  = 
anything  'exceptional  —  a  stiff 
glass,  a  knock-out  blow  :  see 
WHOPPER.  Also  (army)  =  a 
martinet. 

£.1812.  MAHER,  The  Ni%ht  Before 
Larry  was  Stretched.  He'd  fence  all  the 
duds  that  he  had,  To  help  the  poor  dog  to 
a  SNEEZER. 

1855.  HALIBURTON,  Human  Nature 
[BARTLETT].  It's  awful  to  hear  a  minister 
swear  ;  and  the  only  match  I  know  for  it 
is  to  hear  a  regular  SNEEZER  of  a  sinner 
quote  Scripture. 

1878.  Century  Mag.,  Dec.,  602. 
Caught  in  a  north-west  SNEEZER. 

1902.  DOWLING,  Tempest  Driven, 
xxiv.  '  It  will  be  a  SNEEZER,'  said  the 
boatman. 

2.  (common). — The  nose :  also 
SNEEZE  :  see  CONK.  Whence  (3) 
=  a  pocket-handkerchief;  and 
(4)= a  snuff-box:  also  SNEEZING 
COFFER  (GROSE  and  VAUX.) 

1 834.  A  i  N  s  w  o  R  T  H,  Rookwood. 
Fogies  and  fawnies  soon  went  their  way 
To  the  spout  with  the  SNEEZERS  in  grand 
array. 

1838.  DICKENS,  Oliver  Twist,  xliii. 
To  think  of  ...  the  Artful  Dodger  going 
abroad  for  a  common  twopenny-halfpenny 

SNEEZE-BOX. 

1861.  H.  KINGSLEY,  Ravenshoe,  xxxv. 
'  What  is  cly-faking,'  said  Charles.  '  Why, 
a  prigging  of  wipes,  and  SNEEZE-BOXES 
.  .  .  and  such.' 


SNEEZY,  subs,  (old).— The  second 
month  [Brumaire  —  foggy]  of  the 
French  Republican  Calendar. 

S  N  ELL,  subs,  (hawkers').  —  A 
needle.  Hence  SNELL-FENCER 
=  a  needle-hawker.  \_Cf.  (Scots') 
SNELL  =  sharp.] 

1891.  CAREW,  Auto.  Gipsy,  415.  A 
chiv,  blink  and  SNELL-FENCER. 

SNIB,  subs.  (Scots'). — A  PRIG,  q.v. 
(GROSE). 

Verb,  (venery). — To  copulate  : 
see  RIDE. 

SNICKER,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  drink- 
ing CUp  ;  HORN-SNICKER  =  a 
drinking-horn  (HoTTEN). 

2.  (old). — A   glandered   horse 
(GROSE).     See  also  SNIGGER. 

SNICKERSNEE,  subs,  (nautical). — i. 
A  knife  ;  and  (2)  a  combat  with 
knives  :  also  SNICK- AND-SNEE. 

£.1617.  HOWELL,  Letters,  i.  i.  41. 
None  must  carry  a  pointed  knife  about 
him  [in  Genoa]  ;  which  makes  the  Hol- 
lander, who  is  used  to  SNIK  AND  SNEE,  to 
leave  his  Horn-sheath  and  knife  a  ship- 
board when  he  comes  ashore. 

1673.  Norfolk  Drollery,  64.  But 
they'l  ere  long  come  to  themselves  you'l 
see,  When  we  in  earnest  are  at  SNICK  A 

SNEE. 

1698.  Fatal  Friendship.  What  hand 
that  can  design  a  history  Wou'd  copy  low- 
land boors  at  SNICK  A  SNEE. 

^.1701.  DRYDEN,  Parallel  of  Poetry 
and  Painting.  The  brutal  sport  of  SNICK- 
OR-SNEE,  and  a  thousand  other  things  of 
this  mean  invention. 

1707.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.  By  their 
sides  knives  for  SNICK-A-SNEE. 

1869.  THACKERAY,  Little  Billee. 
1  Make  haste,  make  haste,'  says  Guzzling 
Jimmy,  While  Jack  pulled  out  his 

SNICKERSNEE. 

SNICK-FADGE,  subs.  phr.  (thieves'). 
— A  petty  thief. 


Snickle. 


281 


Snip. 


SNICKLE,  verb,  (thieves'). — To  in- 
form ;  to  PEACH  (g.v.). 

1859.  MATSELL,  Vocabulum.  If  the 
cove  should  be  caught  in  the  hock  [im- 
prisoned] he  won't  SNICKLE. 

SNICKTOG,  verb,  (thieves'). — Togo 
shares. 

SNIDE  (or Sttio),su6s.  (Scots'). — i. 
Sixpence :  see  RHINO. 

2.  (common). — Anything  mean 
or  spurious  :  as  a  contemptible 
wretch,  counterfeit  coin,  &c.  As 
adj.  (also  SNIDDY  or  SNIDEY)  = 
bad,  wretched,  contemptible,  or 
(army)  dirty.  SNIDE-PITCHING 
(see  quot.  1868). 

1868.  Temple  Bar,  xxxiv.  538. 
SNYDE-PITCHING  is  passing  bad  money, 
and  it  is  a  capital  racket. 

1876.  A.  MURSELL,  Shady  Pastorals. 
Sometimes  the  police  will  help  the  thieves 
by  getting  SNIDE  witnesses  .  .  .  who  will 
swear  anything  according  to  instructions. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Straight 
Tip.  Or  PITCH  A  SNIDE,  or  knap  a  yack. 

1887.  FRANCIS,  Saddle  and  Mocassin. 
These  "ere  men  don't  want  none  of  your 
SNIDE  outfits,  but  just  good  bronchos  and 
a  waggon,  and  strong  harness. 

1891.  CAREW,  Auto,  of  a  Gipsey, 
416.  When  I  put  the  hacid.  on  it  hevery 
bloomin'  bounce  was  SNIDE.  Ibid.,  418. 
Nat  said,  '  S'trewth  when  Griffin  seen  the 
plate  turn  up  agen,  like  a  SNIDE  midgie, 
his  face  were  a  picter.' 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  50.  The 
SNIDE  "uns  in  the  race  of  life  don't  always 
canter  in.  Ibid.,  89.  His  pockets  she 
tried,  Which  is  wifely,  though  SNIDE. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  277.  "Utica," 
he  said,  "  if  you  intend  gettin'  your 
breakfast  there  in  the  morning,  is  a  sort  of 
a  SNIDE  place  this  time  of  the  year." 

SNIFFY,  adj.  (American). — Disdain- 
ful. 

SNIFTER,   subs,    (common). — i.  A 
long-drawn  breath. 

2.  (common). — A  dram  ;  a  GO 


3.  (American). — A  blizzard. 

SNIFTY,  adj.  (American). — Pleasant 
smelling. 

SNIGGER  (or  SNICKER),  verb.(B.  E. 
and  GROSE).  —  '  To  laugh  pri- 
vately or  in  one's  sleeve ' ;  'ill 
suppressed  laughter '  (BEE). 

SNILCH  [«V.],  verb.  (Old  Cant).— 
To  see  ;  to  watch  closely  (B.  E. 
and  GROSE). 

SNIP,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  share  ;  a 
piece;  a  SNACK  (q.v.).  To  GO 
SNIPS  =  to  share.  Hence  2, 
(racing)  =  a  good  tip.  Also 
SNIPPET  =  a  small  piece  ;  SNIPPY 
(or  SNIPPETY)  =  fragmentary, 
absurdly  small. 
1621.  SYLVESTER,  Du  Bartas,  ii. 

Her  lips  two  SNIPS  of  crimson  Sattin  are. 

£.1640.  BUTLER,  Nye's  Beard.  For 
some  have  doubted  if  [the  beard]  'twere 
made  of  SNIPS  Of  sables,  glew'd  and  fitted 
to  the  lips. 

1668.  DRYDEN,  Ev  Love,  v.  Pray, 
sir,  let  me  GO  SNIP  with  }  u  in  this  lye. 

^.1704.  LESTRANGE,  W^-ks\Century\. 
The  SNIP  that  he  ...  expected  on  the 
dividend. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  n.  5.  The 
Gamester  .  .  .  promises  I  shall  GO  SNIPS 
with  him  in  what  he  shall  win. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  (1812),  vn. 
xii.  Let  me  know  what  is  the  business, 
and  I  promise  you  shall  get  some  SNIPS  out 
of  the  minister. 

1880.  Ch.  Times,  9  Ap.  Variety  is 
pleasant,  SNIPPETINESS  is  not. 

1884.  Sat.  Rev.,  12  Jan.,  62.  If  the 
editor  had  confined  himself  to  one  period 
he  might  have  made  a  useful  book  ...  he 
has  produced  a  collection  of  SNIPPETS. 

1886-96.  MARSHALL,  'Pomes' ["The 
Age  of  Love  '],  26.  He's  the  winner  right 
enough  !  It's  the  one  sole  SNIP  of  a  life- 
time— simply  the  cop  of  one's  puff. 

3.  (common). — A  tailor  :    also 

SNIPPER,      SNIP  -  CABBAGE,      and 

SNIPLOUSE    (BEE).      Cf.    SNIP- 

PERADO,    quot.     1605,     SNIPES = 

scissors  (VAUX).     See  TRADES. 


Snipe. 


282 


Snitch. 


1600.  Weakest  to  Wall,  i.  3.  Beest 
thou  a  snyder  ?  SNIP,  snap,  mette  shears. 

1605.  CHAPMAN  [B.  DOBELL,  on 
Newly  Discovered  Documents  of  the 
Elizabethan  and  Jacobean  Periods 
(Athen&um,  13  Ap.,  1901,  466,  i)].  Tay- 
lors and  Shoo-makers,  and  such  SNIPPER- 
ADOS. 

1643.  RANDOLPH,  Muses'  Looking 
Glass.  Lup,  Where's  my  wife?  Co  lax. 
Shee's  gone  with  a  young  SNIP,  and  an  old 
bawd.  Ibid.,  iv.  3.  Sir,  here's  SNIP  the 
taylor  charg'd  with  a  riot. 

^.1701.  DRYDEN,  Hist,  of  League, 
Postscr.  Our  SNIPPERS  go  over  once  a 
year  into  France,  to  bring  back  the  newest 
mode. 

1709.  WARD  Terrcefilius  {Works,  \. 
5,  35].  Poor  Crespin  was  laugh'd  at  thro' 
the  whole  parish,  .  .  .  and  the  Gentleman 
and  yonder  SNIP-CABBAGE  his  Taylor, 
commended  for  their  Ingenuity. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
529.  He  swears  .  .  .  (Like  SNIP  the 
tailor  with  his  suit)  He'll  find  some  way  to 
piece  it  out. 

1849.  KINGSLEY,  Alton  Locke,  xiii. 
Alton,  you  fool,  why  did  you  let  out  that 
you  were  a  SNIP? 

1852.  BRISTED,  Eng.  Univ.,  292, 
Note.  A  fashionable  SNIP  .  .  .  '  breeches- 
maker  to  H.R.H.  Prince  Albert.1 

1898.  Pink  'Un  and  Pelican,  153. 
Mr.  Commissioner  Kerr  .  .  .  once  in- 
formed a  SNIP  .  .  .  that  there  was  no  such 
thing  as  taking  credit. 

SNIPE,    subs.    (old). — I.    A    thin 
thing,  male  or  female  :  in  America 
=  a   small    child.     2    (old)  =  a 
simpleton;  SNIPE-KNAVE  (COT- 
GRAVE)  :  '  So  called  because  two 
of  them  are  worth  but  one  SNIPE.' 
1602.     SHAKSPEARE,  Othello,  i.  3.     I 
mine  own  gained  knowledge  should  pro- 
fane, If  I  would  time  expend  with  such  a 
SNIPE. 

1859.  KINGSLEY,  GeoJ.  Hamlyn, 
xxxi.  I  sat  there  like  a  great  SNIPE. 

j.  (old). — A  lawyer:  hence  (4) 
>ng  bill. 

5.  (thieves').  —  In     pi.  =  the 
fingers. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  in.  v. 
No  slour'd  hoxter  my  SNIPES  could  stay. 


fo: 


6.  (Old       Cant).  —  Scissors 
(GROSE). 

7.  (American  street). — A  half- 
smoked  cigar. 

8.  (American  S.  Exchange). — 
A  curbstone  broker  ;  a  GUTTER- 
SNIPE (q.v.~). 

1870.  MEDBERY,  Wall  St.,  131.  Solid 
brokers  .  .  .  scoffingly  declare  its  [the 
Open  Board]  members  .  .  .  are  simply 
SNIPES  and  lame  ducks. 

Verb,  (military). — To  fire  at 
random  into  a  camp. 

SNIPPER-SNAPPER,  subs,  (com- 
mon).— An  insignificant  person  ; 

a  WHIPPER-SNAPPER   (q.V .). 

1677.  Poor  Robin's  Visions,  12.  This 
seeming  gentile  WHIPPER-SNAPPER  vanisht 
.  .  .  and  I  was  left  alone.  . 

SNIPPY  (SNIPENNY,  SNIPTIOUS, 
or  SNIPPISH),  adj.  (American).— 
Vain  ;  conceited  ;  pert. 

SNIP-SNAP,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
— A  neat  verbal  effect.  As  adj. 
=quick,  sharp,  SMART  (q.v.). 

1594.  SHAKSPEARE,  Love's  Lab. 
Lost,  v.  i.  A  sweet  touch,  a  quick  venue 
of  wit !  SNIP  SNAP,  quick  and  home !  it 
rejoiceth  my  intellect. 

1597.  HARVEY,  Works  [GROSART,  in. 
72].  If  heer  I  have  been  too  prodigall  in 
SNIP-SNAPS,  tell  me  of  it. 

1728.  POPE,  Dunciad,  ii.  240.  SNIP- 
SNAP  short,  and  interruption  smart. 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  iii.  I  recol- 
lect .  .  overhearing  ...  a  sort  of  grave 
SNIP-SNAP  about  Napoleon's  return  from 
Egypt  .  .  .  and  what  not. 

SNIRP,  subs.  (old). — An  undersized, 
contemptible  wretch. 

SNITCH,  subs,  (thieves'). — i. 
=  handcuffs  :  also  SNITCHERS. 

2.  (old).— 'A  Filip  on  the 
Nose  '  :  also  SNITCHEL  (B.  E.)  ; 
also  the  nose. 


Snitched. 


283 


Snob. 


Verb,    (thieves').— i.    To    in- 
form.     Hence    SNITCHER  =  an 
informer.     Also  (2)  =  TO  NARK 
(y.z/.).—  GROSE  and  BEE. 
£.1812.      JOHN    JACKSON    [quoted    by 
BYRON  in  Don  Juan,  xi.  19.]    Then  your 
blowing  will  wax  gallows  haughty,  When 
she  hears   of   your   scaly  mistake,    She'll 
surely  turn  SNITCH  for  the  forty,  That  her 
Jack  may  be  regular  weight. 

1819.  VAUX,  Memoirs,  s.v.  SNITCH  ; 
to  impeach,  or  betray  your  accomplices  is 
termed  SNITCHING  UPON  them.     A  person 
who  becomes  King's  evidence  on  such  an 
occasion  is  said  to  have  turned  SNITCH  ;  an 
informer,   or    tale-bearer,    in    general,    is 
called  a  SNITCH,  or  a  SNITCHING-RASCAL,  in 
which  case  SNITCHING  is  synonymous  with 
nosing  or  coming  it. 

1820.  The  Lag's  Lament  [Vidocq's 
Mem.,  iii.  169].      SNITCH   on   the    gang, 
that'll  be  the  best  vay  To  save  your  scrag. 

SNITCHED,  adj.  (horsedealers5). — 
See  quot. 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jack  ...  A 
horsedealer  .  .  .  was  showing  a  farmer  a 
horse  that  was  SNITCHED,  that  is 
glandered. 

SNITE,  verb.  (Old  Cant).— To  wipe  : 

TO    SNITE    A   CANDLE  =  to   Snuff 

it ;  '  SNITE  his  Snitch  =  Wipe  his 
Nose  or  give  him  a  good  Flap  on 
the  Face'  (B.  E.). 

14  [?1.  Babees  Book  [E.  E.  T.  S.],  13. 
Fro  spettyng  &  SNETYNG  kepe  the  also. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  vi.  i.  104.  He 
.  .  .  wrings  and  SNITES,  and  weeps  and 
wipes  again. 

1701.  GREW,  Cosmo  Sacra,  i.  y. 
Nor  would  anyone  be  able  to  SNITE  his 
nose,  or  to  sneeze. 

SNIV,  verb.  (Old  Cant).  —  i.  To 
hold  one's  tongue  :  e.g.  SNIV 
THAT  !  (GROSE).  Also  2  (VAUX) 
=  BENDER  !  (q.v.) 

SNIVEL,  subs,  (colloquial). — Hypo- 
crisy ;  CANT  (q.v.~)  :  as  verl>.=to 
complain  ;  to  BLEAT  (q.v.}. 
Hence  SNIVELLER  (or  SNIVEL- 
ARD)  =  a  whining  malcontent ; 
SNIVELLING  =  hypocritical  re- 
pentance (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 


1440.  Promp.  Parv,,  461.  SNYVE- 
LARD,  or  he  that  spekythe  yn  the  nose. 

£.1520.  Coventry  Myst.,  'Assumption,' 
396  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  397.  There 
is  SNEVELER  used  in  scorn.] 

1767.  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy, 
ix.  12.  '  That  SNIVELLING  virtue  of  meek- 
ness,' as  my  father  would  always  call  it. 

1771.  SMOLLETT,  Humphrey  Clinker, 
Lett.  v.  I  have  received  a  SNIVELLING 
letter  from  Griffin. 

1780.  SHERIDAN,  The  Camp,  i.  i. 
Come  forward,  you  SNIVELLING,  sneaking 
sot,  you. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  224.  Indeed  am  I  punished  for 
having  preposterously  lowered  myself  to 
the  level  of  a  dirty  SNIVELLING  adven- 
turer. 

1886.  St.  James's  Gaz.,  9  Feb.  The 
cant  and  SNIVEL  of  which  we  have  seen  so 
much  of  late. 

1886.  BESANT,  World  Went  Very 
Well  Then,  ii.  Would'st  not  surely  choose 
to  be  a  sneakin'  SNIVELLING  quill-driver  in 
a  merchant's  office  ? 

1888.  WHIPPLE,  Essays  and  Reviews, 
n.  117. .  He  SNIVELS  in  the  cradle,  at  the 
school,  at  the  altar  ...  on  the  death-bed. 

1898.  GOULD,  Landed  at  Last,  xyiii. 
You  SNIVELLING  coward. 

SNIVEL-NOSE,  subs.phr.  (old). — A 
niggard  (HALLIWELL). 

SNOACH,  verb.  (old). — To  speak 
through  the  nose  ;  to  snuffle 
(GROSE). 

SNOB,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A  shoe- 
maker (GROSE)  ;  spec,  a  journey- 
man cobbler  (HALLIWELL). 

1808.  J.  MAYNE,  Siller  Gun,  in. 
133.  Counter  to  a  mandate  clear,  Ane  of 
ihe  SNOBS  Vain  as  a  peacock,  strutted  here, 
In  crimson  robes. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ing.  Leg.,  11.  220, 
note.  The  Shoemaker,  born  a  SNOB. 

2.  (old  Univ.  :  then  general). — 
An  inferior  :  see  quots. 

1822.  DE  QUINCEY,  Con/.  (1862), 
120.  Base  SNOBS  who  would  put  up  with 
a  vile  Brummagen  substitute.  Ibid.  (1849), 
Eng.  Mail  Coach  (Wks.,  1854,  iv.  293).  If 


Snob. 


284 


Snob. 


our  dress  and  bearing  sheltered  us,  gene- 
rally, from  the  suspicion  of  being  "raff" 
(the  name  at  that  period  for  SNOBS),  we 
really  were  such  constructively,  by  the 
place  we  assumed.  [Note. — SNOBS,  and 
Us  antithesis,  'nobs'  arose  amongst  the 
internal  factions  of  shoemakers,  perhaps 
ten  years  later  [i.e.,  apparently,  £.1815]. 
Possibly  enough,  the  terms  may  have 
existed  much  earlier,  but  they  were  then 
first  made  known,  picturesquely  and  effec- 
tively, by  a  trial  at  some  assizes  which  hap- 
pened to  fix  the  public  attention.] 

1824.  Gradus  ad  Cantab. ,  s.v. 
SNOBS.  A  term  applied  indiscriminately  to 
all  who  have  not  the  honour  of  being  mem- 
bers of  the  university  ;  but  in  a  more  par- 
ticular manner  to  the  profanum  vulgus, 
the  tag-rag  and  bob-tail,  who  vegetate  on 
the  sedgy  banks  of  Camus. 

1837.  DISRAELI,  Henrietta  Temple, 
vi.  xviii.  Of  all  the  great  distinctions  in 
life  none  perhaps  is  more  important  than 
that  which  divides  mankind  into  the  two 
great  sections  of  Nobs  and  SNOBS  .  .  . 
Captain  Armine  was  a  Nob,  and  the  poor 
tradesman  a  SNOB. 

1840.  DICKENS,  Old  Curiosity  Shop, 
xxxviii.  "Pull  up,  SNOBBY,"  cried  Mr. 
Chuckster,  addressing  Kit,  "You're 
wanted  inside  here."  ..."  Ask  no  ques- 
tions, SNOBBY." 

c.i  845.  HOOD,  Tale  of  a  Trumpet, 
xxxviii.  Whether  she  listened  to  Hob  or 
Bob,  Nob  or  SNOB. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Newcomes,  n. 
177.  An  English  SNOB  with  a  coat  of 
arms  bought  yesterday. 

1863.  READE,  Hard  Cash,  i.  228. 
Once  more  ...  a  motley  crew  of  peers 
and  printers  ...  of  nobs  and  SNOBS, 
fought  and  scrambled  ...  to  get  rich  in  a 
day. 

1870.  Figaro,  18  July.  Is  it  more 
cruel  for  a  SNOB  to  shoot  a  sea-bird  in  the 
breeding  season  than  it  is  for  a  nob  to 
shoot  pigeons  in  the  breeding  season, 
thereby  starving  all  their  young  ? 

1878.  Masque  of  Poets,  183.  The 
SNOB  Made  haste  to  join  the  fashionable 
mob. 

3.  (colloquial). — A  toadying  or 
blatant  vulgarian  :  see  quots.  1843 
and  1 86 1.  Also  as  adj.  with 
numerous  derivatives :  e.g. ,  SNOB- 
BERY, SNOBBISHNESS,  and  SNOB- 

BISM ;       SNOBBESS  ;       SNOBBISH, 


SNOBBISHLY,  and  SNOBBY  ;  SNOB- 
LING  ;  SNOBOCRACY  ;  SNOBO- 
GRAPHER  ;  and  SNOBOGRAPHY. 

1843.  THACKERAY,    Irish   Sk.    Bk. 
(Wks.,   1879,  xviii),  iii.     A  vulgar  man  in 
England  .  .  .  displays    his    character    of 
SNOB  by  assuming  as  much  as  he  can  for 
himself,  swaggering  and  showing  off  in  his 
coarse  dull  stupid  way.     Ibid.  (1848),  Bk. 
of  Snobs,   ii.     He  who  meanly  admires 
mean  things  is  a  SNOB  —  perhaps  that  is  a 
safe  definition  of  the  character. 

1844.  DICKENS,  Martin  Chuzz.  ,  xxvi. 
These  lions'  heads  was  made  for  men  of 
taste  :  not  SNOBS. 

1859.  SMILES,  Self  Help,  xiii.  (1860), 
352.  He  who  bullies  those  who  are  not  in 
a  position  to  resist,  may  be  a  SNOB  but  can- 
not be  a  gentleman. 

1861.  LEVER,  One  of  Them,  xxxix. 
Ain't  a  SNOB  a  fellow  as  wants  to  be  taken 
for  better  bred,  or  richer,  or  cleverer,  or 
more  influential  than  he  really  is? 

1863.  BR  ADDON,  /.  Marchmonfs 
Leg.,  i.  ii.  42.  "What  a  SNOB  I  am,"  he 
thought,  "  always  bragging  of  home.  ' 

1871.  J.  LEIGHTON,  Paris  under 
Commune,  Ixviii.  245.  Is  it  nothing  .  .  . 
to  be  no  longer  subjected  to  the  oppression 
of  SNOBS,  reactionnaires  and  traitors  ? 

1866.  CARLYLE,  Remin.  (1881),  n. 
189.  What  of  SNOB  ambition  there  might 
be  in  me,  which  I  hope  was  not  very  much. 

1883.  Congregationalist,   May,   377. 
The  SNOB  nature  comes    out  in   strange 
ways. 

1884.  Pall  Matt  G.,  i   Mar.,  4,  2. 
Admiral     Maxse's     French     guest     was 
strongly  impressed  with  the  healthy  hatred 
in  which  three  things  —  the  "quack,  "the 
"  humbug,"  and  the  SNOB  —  are  held  by  the 
Englishmen  with  whom  he  associated  in 
England.     On   being  asked   here   what  a 
SNOB  is  he  said,  "  an  individual  who  would 
enjoy  living  in  a  dirty  hole  provided  it  had 
a  fine  frontage,  and  who  is  absolutely  in- 
capable of  valuing  moral  or  mental  great- 
ness   unless  it   is    first    admired    by    big 
people." 

3.  (workmen's).  —  A    BLACK- 
LEG,     KNOBSTICK,      RAT,      SCAB 


4.  (provincial).  —  Mucus  ;  SNOT 
(q.v.)  —  HALLIWELL. 

Verb,  (tailors').  —  To     sloven 
one's  work  :  cf.  SNOBBERY. 


Snobbery. 


285 


Snork. 


SNOBBERY,  subs,  (tailors'). — Bad 
work  ;  slack  trade,  &c.  Cf.  SNOB, 
sense  3  and  verb.  To  HIDE  THE 
SNOBBERY  =  to  conceal  imperfec- 
tions or  cover  up  inferior  work. 

SNOB'S- BOOT,  subs.  phr.  (tailors'). 
—Sixpence  :  see  RHINO. 

SNOB'S-CAT.— In  phr.  (BEE)  Mike 
a  SNOB'S-CAT,  full  of  piss  and 
tantrums.'  Cf.  BARBER'S  CAT. 

SNOB'S-DUCK,  subs. phr.  (common). 
— A  leg  of  mutton,  stuffed  with 
sage  and  onions. 

SNOBSTICK,  subs,  (workmen's). — A 
black-leg  ;  RAT,  KNOBSTICK 
(g.v.)  :  also  SNOB. 

SNOCK,  verb.  (American).  —  To 
'  land '  a  blow  :  e.g.  TO  SNOCK 
ON  THE  GOB  =  to  punch  one  in 
the  mouth. 

SNODDY,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
soldier. 

SNOOK,  subs,  (common). — In//.  = 
the  imaginary  name  of  a  practical 
joker  ;  also  a  derisive  retort  on  an 
idle  question— SNOOKS  ! 

Verb,  (common). — To  pry  ;  to 
watch;  TO  DOG  (q.v.) :  also 
SNOOP  :  which  also  =  (American) 
TO  PICK  (q.v.).  Hence  SNOOK 

(SNOOP,   SNOOKER,    or   SNOOPER) 

=  a  spy  ;  a  sneak ;  a  PAUL  PRY 
(q.v.). 

1653.  BROME,  New  Acad.,  ii.  i.  I 
must  not  lose  my  harmlesse  recreations 
Abroad,  to  SNOOK  over  my  wife  at  home. 

To  CUT  (or  COCK)  SNOOKS, 
verb.  phr.  (common).  —  See 
SIGHT. 

SNOOKER,  subs.  (Royal  Military 
Academy). — A  cadet-student  of 
the  fourth  class  ;  a  freshman. 


SNOOZE,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  I. 
Sleep :  spec,  a  NAP  (q.v.}  :  also 
SNOOZEM  ;  also  (2)  =  a  bed  :  see 
KIP.  As  verb,  (or  SNOOZLE)  = 
to  nestle  ;  SNOOZER  =  (i)  a 
sleepy-head,  and  (2)  a  domiciled 
boarding-house  or  hotel  thief 
(American) ;  SNOOZING  =  sleep  ; 

SNOOZE-KEN  (or  SNOOZING-KEN) 

=  (i)  a  bed,  (2)  a  bed-room,  (3) 
a  lodging-house,  (4)  a  brothel; 
SNOOZE -CASE  =  a  pillow  -  slip 
(GROSE,  BEE,  VAUX).  SNOOZY 
(Old  Cant)  =  a  night  watchman 
or  constable  (GROSE). 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  28.  What 
with  SNOOZING,  high-grubbing  and  guzzling 
like  Chloe. 

1838.     BECKETT,  Paradise  Lost,  39. 

For  when went  to  SNOOZEM  Their  din 

incessant  sure  must  rouse  him. 

1847.  BRONTE,  W-uthering  Heights, 
Hi.  A  dog  SNOOZLED  its  nose  over- 
forwardly  into  her  face. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Neivcomes,  xlix. 
SNOOZE  gently  in  thy  arm-chair,  thou  easy 
baldhead. 

1862.  BROWNE,  Artemus  Ward,  His 
Book  [Works  (^99),  41.  I  spose  I'd  been 
SNOOZIN  half  an  hour  when  I  was  woke  up 
by  a  noise  at  the  door. 

1874.  Siliad,  61.  Kamdux  had 
SNOOZED,  but  now  his  fat  sides  shook. 

i8[?].  STEVENSON,  Treas.  of  Fran- 
chard.  The  same  SNOOZING  countrified 
existence. 

1880.  BRET  HARTE,  A  Quiet  Ride. 
Bully  place  for  a  nice  quiet  SNOOZE — 
empty  stage,  sir  ! 

1886.  E.  Telegraph,  i  Dec.  The 
last  surreptitious  SNOOZE  in  which  he  was 
wont  to  revel. 

SNOPSY  (SNOPS  or  SNAPS),  su&s. 
(American). — Gin  [i.e.,  Schnaps]. 

SNORK,  verb.  (Shrewsbury  School). 
— To  excel ;  to  surpass:  e.g.,  to 
do  the  whole  of  an  examination 
paper,  or  to  cap  another  in  argu- 
ment or  repartee. 

T 


Snort. 


286 


Snow. 


SNORT,  verb,  (colloquial). — To 
laugh  in  derision. 

1835.  HALIBURTON,  Clockmaker,  \. 
xix.  I  thought  I  should  have  SNORTED 
right  out  two  or  three  times  ...  to  hear 
the  critter  let  her  clapper  run  that  fashion. 

1865.  Major  Downing 's  Letters,  15. 
We  all  SNORTED  and  snickered. 

1885.  Century  Mag. ,  xli.  340.  'Such 
airs  ! '  he  SNORTED. 

SNORTER,  subs.  (American).  —  i. 
Anything  large  or  exceptional  : 
spec,  a  gale  of  wind,  a  heavy 
snow-storm :  cf.  SNEEZER  :  see 
WHOPPER. 

1 8  [?].  Cape  Ann  Fisherman  [BART- 
LETT].  The  skipper  said  ...  we  must 
make  all  snug,  fur  we're  going  to  have  a 

SNORTER. 

1870.  THORPE,  Backwoods,  183. 
'  I'm  a  roaring  earthquake  in  a  fight,'  sung 
out  one  of  the  .  .  .  fellows,  'a  real 
SNORTER  of  the  universe.' 

1891.  MARRIOTT-WATSON,  Web  of 
Spider,  xv.  '  What's  to  become  of  me, 
then  ? '  asked  Ida.  '  Well,'  he  said,  '  that's 
rather  a  SNORTER.  I  dunno*  where  we 
could  put  you.' 

1897.  KENNARD,  Girl  in  Brown 
Habit,  i.  Some  of  these  fences  are  regular 
downright  SNORTERS. 

2.  (common). — The  nose  :  see 
CONK. 

SNOT,  subs,  (vulgar).  —  i.  Nasal 
mucus.  Hence  2  (common)  =  a 
contemptible  wretch :  also  (2) 
SNOTTER  and  SNOTTIE  =  (naval)  a 
midshipman.  Whence  as  verb.  = 

(1)  to  blow  the  nose,  and  (2)  to 
act  scurvily  ;  SNOTTERY  =  filth  ; 
SNOTTY  =  running   at  the  nose, 
mean,   dirty  ;    SNOTTY-NOSED  = 
contemptible,  filthy  ;  SNOT-GALL 
(or  SNOTTER) = the  nose;  SNOT- 
RAG  (SNOTTINGER,  or  SNOTTER) 
=  (i)  a  pocket-handkerchief;  and 

(2)  the    nose    (also    SNOT-  and 

SNOTTLE-BOX)  :  SNOTTER  also  = 

a  handkerchief  thief  ;  SNOTTER- 
HAULING  =  sneaking  of  WIPES 
(q.v.)  ;  SNOTTED  =  reprimanded  : 
Fr.  mouckt. 


1598.  MARSTON,  Scourge  ofVillanie, 
ii.  To  purge  the  SNOTTERY  of  our  slimy 
time. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  v.  i.  Teach 
thy  incubus  to  poetize,  And  throw  abroad 
thy  spurious  SNOTTERIES. 

d.  1633.  G.  HERBERT,  Jacula  Pruden- 
tum.  Better  a  SNOTTY  child  than  his  nose 
wiped  off. 

1685.  Poor  Robin's  Alman.  Three 
kisses,  four  Busses,  and  five  licks  under 
the  SNOT-GALL. 

1692.  WOOD,  Athence  Oxon,  ii.  The 
continual  importunities  of  his  covetous  and 
SNOTTY  wife. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  n.  32. 
Linen  rags  .  .  .  retaining  still  the  Marks 
of  the  SNOT. 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  WIPE— 
a  pocket-handkerchief  .  .  .  When  this 
kind  of  article  is  in  the  last  stages  of  con- 
sumption they  scoff  at  it,  as  a  SNOTTER. 

SNOUT,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  The 
nose  :  in  contempt.  2.  =  the 
face  :  also  SNOUT-PIECE  (GROSE); 
SNOUT-FAIR  =  pretty,  comely 
(HARMAN  and  GROSE). 

c.  1610.  Masgue  of  Twelve  Months. 
Lady  Pigswiggin  the  only  SNOUT-FAIRE  of 
the  fairies. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  Ill- 
ill.  iv.  2.  A  modest  Virgin,  well-condi- 
tioned, to  such  a  fair  SNOUT-PIECE,  is 
much  to  be  preferred.  Ibid.,  III.  in.  i.  2. 
He  that  marries  a  wife  that  is  SNOWY  FAIR 
[?  SNOUT  FAIR]  alone,  let  him  .  .  . 

1653.  BROME,  Court  Beggar,  ii.  i 
Shee  be  SNOUT-FAIRE,  and  has  some  wit.  ' 

1663.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  i.  iii.  357. 
Her  subtle  SNOUT  Did  quickly  wind  his 
meaning  out. 

2.  (prison).  —  Tobacco  :  see 
WRIGHT  and  TRAFFICKING  ;  also 
(itinerants')  a  cigar. 


SNOW,  subs.  (Old  Cant). — Linen  : 

r.    linen     hung   out  to   dry  : 
SNOWY.      Hence     SNOW- 
GATHERER     (or     DROPPER)  =  a 
hedge-thief :     also    SNOW-DROP- 
PING (GROSE  and  VAUX). 


Snowball. 


287 


Snuff. 


1877.  HORSLEV,  Jottings  from  Jail. 
We  used  to  go  and  smug  SNOWY  that  was 
hung  out  to  dry. 

SNOWBALL,  subs,  (venery). — I.  A 
seminal  globule  :  see  CREAM  and 
LETCHWATER. 

<£i68o.    ROCHESTER  [Works (1718),  87]. 
Priapus,  squeez'd,  one  SNOWBALL  did  emit. 

2.  (old). — A    negro    (GROSE). 
Fr.  boule  de  neige. 

SNOW-BROTH,  subs. phr.  (B.  E.). — 
'  Snow-water.'  Also  (modem)  = 
cold  LAP  (q.v.}. 

1603.  SHAKSPEARE,  Meas.  for  Meas., 
i.  458.  A  man  whose  blood  Is  very  SNOW- 
BROTH. 

d.  1 796.      BURNS,    Brigs   of  Ayr.      In 
mony  a  torrent  doun  his  SNA-BROO  rowes. 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  \.  6.  'This 
is  none  of  your  SNOW-BROTH,  Peggy,'  said 
the  mother  ;  '  it's  warming.' 

SNUB,  verb.  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). — 
To  check,  to  rebuke. 

See  SNOB. 

SNUB-DEVIL,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
parson. 

SNUB-NOSE,  subs.  phr.  (GROSE). — 
'  A  short  nose  turned  up  at  the 
end.' 

SMUDGE,  subs.  (old). — I.  A  miser; 
a  curmudgeon.  Hence  as  adj. 

(SNUDGE-LIKE,  or  SNUDGING)  = 
miserly,  mean,  crabby ;  as  verb. 

=  to  grasp,  to  screw;  SNUDGERY 

=  meanness. 

1531-47.  COPLAND,  Hyeivay  to  Spitel 
Hous.  Scrapynge  and  SNUDGYNGE  with- 
out ony  cease. 

1544.  ASCHAM,  Toxophilus,  i.  Your 
husbandry  ...  is  more  like  the  life  of  a 
covetous  SNUDGE  that  ofte  very  evill 
proves. 

1553.  SIR  T.  WILSON,  Rhetorike. 
SNUDGYNGE  wittely  rebuked  .  .  .  she 
beeyng  greved  charged  hym  .  .  .  that  he 
should  saie  she  was  such  a  pinchpeny  as 
would  sell  her  olde  showes  for  mony. 


1562.  LEWICK,  Titus  and  Gisippus. 
What  man  wold  judge  Titus  to  have  been 
such  a  SNUDGE. 

1577.  KENDALL,  Floures  of  Epig. 
Thou  deemst  me  in  thy  minde  ...  a 
sneekbill  SNUDGE  unkinde. 

1579.  NORTH,  Plut.,  135.  This  brib- 
ing wretch  was  forced  for  to  holde  A 
tippling  boothe,  most  like  a  clowne  or 
SNUCHE. 

1581.  HAKLUYT,  Voyages,  i.  240. 
They  may  not  say,  as  some  SNUDGES  in 
England  say,  I  would  find  the  Queene  a 
man  to  serue  in  my  place. 

1587.  HOLINSHED,  Descr.  Ireland, 
in.  SNUDGING  peniefathers  would  take 
him  vp  verie  roughlie. 

1597.  GERARD,  Herbal,  Verses  pre- 
fixed. Of  his  faire  flowring  brats  she 
[Mother  Earth]  is  no  SNUDGE. 

1599.  NASHE,  Lenten  Stuffe  [Harl. 
Mis.,  vi.  147].    Their  miserable  SNUDGERY. 

1600.  DEKKER,      Old     Fortunatus 
[Anc.  Drama  (1814),  iii.  124].     SNUDGES 
may  well  be  called  jailers. 

1602.  HEYWOOD,  How  a  Man  -may 
Choose  a  Good  Wife  from  a  Bad.  My 
master  ...  is  such  an  old  SNUDGE,  he'll 
not  lose  the  droppings  of  his  nose. 

1694.  MOTTEUX,  Rabelais,  v.  xvi. 
We  find  that  the  filthy  SNUDGE  is  yet  more 
mischievous  and  ignorant  than  these 
ignorant  wretches  here. 

2.  (old).  — A  thief  concealing 
himself  under  a  bed  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE). 

SMUDGE-SNOUT,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
A  dirty  fellow. 

1606.  Wily  Beguild [HAWKINS,  Eng. 
Dr.,  iii.  303].  That  puck-fist,  that  SNUDGE- 
SNOUT,  that  coal-carrierly  clown. 

SNUFF,  subs.  (old). — The  drainings 
of  a  glass  ;  HEEL-TAPS  (q.v.). 

1641.  BRAITHWAITE,  Penitent  Pil- 
grim. Those  very  SNUFFS  which  your 
excess  procured,  would  have  been  sweet 
drops  to  many  .  .  .  who  for  want  of  drink 
have  fainted. 

Verb.  —  To  be  testy,  easily 
offended  :  also  TO  TAKE  SNUFF, 
or  TO  SNUFF  PEPPER  :  see 
PEPPER.  Whence  IN  SNUFF  = 


Snuff. 


288 


Snug. 


in  dudgeon  ;  TO  GIVE  SNUFF  = 
to  reprimand,  to  rebuke,  to  scold; 
SNUFFY  =  (i)  offended,  and  (2) 
=  drunk  (BEE)  ;  as  subs.  SNUFF 
=  a  PET  (q.v.). — (GROSE). 

1584.  ROBINSON,  Pleasant  Delights 
[ARBER],  35.  Huffing  and  SNUFFING  de- 
serveth  blame. 

1593.  HOLLVBAND,  Diet.  To  spite, 
to  anger,  to  take  a  matter  IN  SNUFFE. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  /  Hen.  IV.,  \.  3, 
41.  Who  therewith  angry,  when  it  next 
came  there,  Took  it  IN  SNUFF. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  ii.  i.  I 
take  it  highly  IN  SNUFF  to  learn  how  to 
entertain  gentlefolks  of  you,  at  these  years, 
i'  faith.  Ibid.  (1609),  Silent  Woman,  iv. 
2.  He  went  away  IN  SNUFF. 

1611.  Bible,  Authorised  Ver.,  Mai.  i. 
13.  Ye  said,  what  a  weariness  is  it,  and 
ye  have  SNUFFED  at  it. 

1625.  HALL,  Thanksgiving  Sermon, 
29  Jan.  Do  the  enemies  of  the  church 
rage,  and  SNUFF,  and  breathe  nothing  but 
threats  and  death  ? 

16  [?].  Rex.  Ballads  [B.  M.,  €20,  f.  8, 
407],  '  The  Scolding  Wife.'  They  was  not 
so  soon  out  of  the  Quire,  ee'r  She  began 
TO  SNUFF. 

£.1630.  TAYLOR,  Laugh  and  be  Fat, 
69.  No  man's  lines  but  mine  you  TAKE  IN 

SNUFF. 

1688.  Cap  of  Gray  Hairs,  &>c.,  113. 
If  IN  SNUFF  and  distaste  you  may  fling 
away  from  such  re  infecta,  a  little  patience 
and  good  words  may  do  your  business. 

^.1704.  L'EsTRANGE,  Works  [Century}. 
Jupiter  TOOK  SNUFF  at  the  contempt,  and 
punished  him. 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer,  30.  He  rather 
GAVE  ME  SNUFF  about  my  extravagance, 
but  I  was  prepared  for  that. 

PHRASES. — UP  TO   SNUFF  = 
not  to  be  deceived,  WIDEAWAKE 

(?.?*)»       KNOWING      (q.V.}\     TO 

SNUFF  OUT  =  to  silence,  settle, 
annihilate  ;  TO  SNUFF  IT  =  to 
die:  see  ALOFT.  See  SNEEZE- 
LURK. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v.  UP 
TO  SNUFF.  Synonymous  with  the  above 
phrase  ['Up  to  slum '] ;  and  is  often 
rendered  more  emphatic  by  such  adjuncts 
as  'Up  TO  SNUFF  and  twopenny,'  'Up 
TO  SNUFF,  and  a  pinch  above  it,' 


i8it.  POOLE,  Hamlet  Travestie.  He 
knew  well  enough  The  game  we're  after  : 
zooks,  he's  UP  TO  SNUFF. 

1823.  BYRON,  Don  Juan,  xi.  60.  'Tis 
strange  the  mind,  that  fiery  particle, 
Should  let  itself  be  SNUFF'D  OUT  by  an 
article. 

1830.  MONCRIEFF,  The  Heart  of 
London,  ii.  i.  I  nose  :  UP  TO  SNUFF. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.,  i. 
295.  Lady  A. ,  who  is  now  what  some  call 
UP  TO  SNUFF. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick.     He  was 
one  too  many  for  you  warn't  he  ?    UP  TO 
SNUFF,  and  a  pinch  or  two  over. 

1838.  BECKETT,  Paradise  Lost,  39. 
And  being  UP  TO  SNUFF  in  this,  He  turns 
his  bottom,  and  says  "kiss." 

1876.  HINDLEY,  Cheap  Jack.  Having 
travelled  all  my  lifetime,  was  better  UP  TO 
SNUFF  than  an  ordinary  man  would  be  at 
fifty. 

1885.  SIMS,  Rogues  and  Vagabonds. 
Josh  Heckett  isn't  going  to  SNUFF  IT  just 
for  a  crack  on  the  head. 

1887.  D.  Teleg.,  15  Feb.  They  will 
be  SNUFFED  OUT  ;  nobody  will  listen  to 
them  before  seven,  or  after  nine. 

1891.  NEWMAN,  Scamping  Trickz, 
120.  Now  it  is  only  fair  to  say  the  assis- 
tant knew  his  book,  and  was  UP  TO  SNUFF. 

SNUFFLE,  subs.  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 
— In  pi.  =  a  cold  in  the  head  :  as 
verb.  =  to  speak  gruffly  or  through 
the  nose. 

1789.  D'ARBLAY,  Diary,  iii.  180. 
First  the  Queen  deserts  us  ;  then  Princess 
Royal  begins  coughing ;  then  Princess 
Augusta  gets  THE  SNUFFLES. 

SNUFFLER,  subs,  (common). — A 
preacher.  Hence  SNUFFLING  = 
canting. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom.  Brown  at 
Oxford,  xliv.  You  know  I  never  was  a 
SNUFFLER  \  but  this  sort  of  life  makes  one 
serious,  if  one  has  any  reverence  at  all  in 
one. 

SNUFFY,  adj.  (common). — Tipsy  : 
see  SCREWED  (GROSE). 

SNUG,  verb,  (venery). — To  copu- 
late :  see  RIDE. 


Snuggery. 


289 


Soak. 


Adj.  (common). — Drunk  :  see 
SCREWED. 

ALL  SNUG,  phr.  (GROSE). — 
All's  quiet. 

See  BUG. 

SNUGGERY,  subs,  (common). — A 
comfortable  privacy  :  as  a 
woman's  boudoir,  a  man's  smoking 
den,  a  bar-parlour. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  xlv.  '  Vere 
are  they  ? '  said  Sam  .  .  .  '  In  the  SNUG- 
GERY,' rejoined  Mr.  Weller. 

1872.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch,  xvii. 
Knowing  .  .  .  Mr.  Farebrother  was  a 
bachelor  he  had  thought  of  being  ushered 
into  a  SNUGGERY,  where  the  chief  furniture 
would  probably  be  books. 

1886.  Field,  13  Feb.  We  in  Meath 
had  a  pleasant  time  in  Miss  Murphy's 

SNUGGERY. 

1898.  Pink  \Un  and  Pelican.  Give 
me  the  old-fashioned  waiter  .  .  .  who 
becomes  a  part  and  parcel  of  the  house. 
Simpson's,  and  that  older  SNUGGERY,  the 
"  Cheshire  Cheese,"  have  had  many  such. 

SNYDER  (or  SNIDER),  subs.  (old). — 

A  tailor  :  see  TRADES. 

£.1600.     Weakest  to  Wall,  i.  3.     Beest 
thou  a  SNYDER  ?  snip,  snap,  mette  sheers. 

So,  adv.  (colloquial). — I.  Drunk  : 
see  SCREWED.  Also  so-so. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  50.  We  drank  hard,  and  returned 
to  our  employers  in  a  pretty  pickle,  that  is 
to  say  so-so  in  the  upper  story. 

2.  (conventional :  women's). — 
Pregnant ;  LUMPY  (q.v.). 

3.  (Ibid.}. — In  courses,  UNDER 
REPAIR  (q.v.). 

Intj.  (colloquial). — A  question- 
ing reply  to  a  positive  statement  : 
e.g.)  'The  King  returns  to  town 
to-day'  'So?' 

SO-AND-SO,  subs,  (colloquial). 
— i.  Somebody  or  something  in- 
definite ;  and  (2)  in  place ^  of  a 
thing  forgotten,  or  which  it  is  not 
desired  to  mention :  e.g.t  Mr. 
SO-AND-SO. 


So  LONG,  intj.  (common). — 
Good  bye  ! 

1902.  LYNCH,  High  Stakes,  xxxii. 
I'm  off  for  change  of  air  ...  Sow  LONG. 
I'll  see  ye  later. 

So-so,  adj.  and  adv.  (collo- 
quial). —  Ordinary ;  mediocre  ; 
nothing  to  speak  of. 

1530.  PALSGRAVE,  Lang.  Francoyse, 
445.  Telletnent  quellement,  je  me  porte, 
so  so. 

£.1537.  A  Pore  Helpe  [HAZLITT, 
Early  Pop.  Poet.,  iii.  263],  300.  A  noble 
teacher,  And  so-so  a  preacher. 

1595.  SHAKSPEARE,  Two  Gent.,  i.  2. 
'  What  thinkest  thou  of  the  rich  Mercatio?' 
1  Well  of  his  wealth  ;  but  of  himself,  so-so.' 
Ibid.  (1600),  As  You  Like  It,  v.  i.  29.  So 
So  is  good,  very  good,  very  excellent 
good  ;  and  yet  it  it  is  not ;  it  is  but  so-so. 

^.1703.  PEPYS,  Diary.  She  is  a 
mighty  proper  maid,  and  pretty  comely, 
but  so-so  ;  but  hath  a  most  pleasing  tone 
of  voice,  and  speaks  handsomely. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  i.  173-4.  Their 
outsides  wondrous  fine,  their  Pockets  lined 
within  but  so-so. 

^.1784.  DR.  S.  PARR  \.N.  and  Q.,  78., 
x.  274].  Dr.  Taylor  read  the  service  but 
so-so. 

1797.  LAMB,  Correspondence,  'Cole- 
ridge,' xix.  The  remainder  is  only  so-so. 

1810.  RHODES,  Bombastes  Furioso. 
Only  so-so.  O,  monstrous  doleful  thing  ! 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends, 
I.  73.  That  illustrious  lady,  who,  after 
leading  but  a  so-so  life,  had  died  in  the 
odour  of  sanctity. 

1857.  F.  LOCKER,  Reply  to  a.  Letter. 
I  trembled  once  beneath  her  spell  Whose 
spelling  was  extremely  so-so. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Squatter  s 
Dream,  vi.  He  had  .  .  .  agreed  ...  to 
sell  this  year's  clip  in  the  colony,  as  the 
washing  and  getting  up  were  only  so-so, 
and  wool  was  high. 

SOAK,  subs,  (common).  —  i.  A 
drinking  bout ;  (2)  a  hard  drinker : 
also  SOAKER.  As  verb.  =  to 


Soaker. 


290         Soap-and-bullion. 


steep  oneself  in  drink  ;  TO  BOOZE 
(g.v.).  Whence  SOAKING  =  hard 
drinking  ;  SOAKED  =  drunk  :  see 
SCREWED  :  TO  SET  SOAKING  = 
to  ply  the  pot  (B.  E.,  BAILEY, 
and  GROSE). 

1700.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  the  World, 
iv.  10.  The  Sun's  a  good  Pimple,  an 
honest  SOAKER  ;  he  has  a  Cellar  at  your 
Antipodes. 

^.1704.  LOCKE,  Works  [Ency.  Diet.]. 
The  tickling  of  his  palate  with  a  glass  of 
wine,  or  the  idle  chat  of  a  SOAKING  club. 

1709.  ^DAMPIER,  Voyages,  i.  419. 
Scarce  a  ship  goes  to  China  but  the  Men 
come  home  fat  with  SOAKING  this  Liquor 
[Arrack]. 

d".iji6.  SOUTH,  Sermons,  vi.  iii.  By  a 
good  natur'd  man  is  usually  meant  neither 
more  nor  less  than  a  good  fellow;  a 
painful,  able,  and  laborious  SOAKER. 

1766.  GOLDSMITH,  Vicar  of  Wake- 
field,  xxi.  You  do  nothing  but  SOAK  with 
the  guests  all  day  long. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
58.  On  this  th'  old  SOAKER  said  no  more. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingold.  Leg.,  'Milk- 
maid's Story.'  That  particular  day,  As 
I've  heard  people  say,  Mr.  David  Pryce 
had  been  SOAKING  his  clay. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Van.  Fair,  Ixvi. 
Her  voice  is  as  cracked  as  thine,  O  thou 
beer-soAKiNG  Renowner. 

1855.  PARSONS,  Inside  View  of 
Slavery  [BARTLETT],  When  a  Southron 
intends  to  have  a  SOAK,  he  takes  the  bottle 
to  his  bedside,  goes  to  bed,  and  lies  there 
till  he  gets  drunk. 

Verb,  (common). — i.  To  pawn : 
also  TO  PUT  IN  SOAK. 

2.  (anglers'). — To  be  lavish  of 
bait. 

3.  (common). — To    sit    lazily 
over  the  fire  (HALLIWELL). 

SOAKER,    subs,     (colloquial).  —  A 
heavy  rain.     See  SOAK. 

1851-61.  MaYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  i. 
314.  Well,  sir,  suppose  it's  a  SOAKER  in 
the  morning  .  .  .  then,  maybe,  after  all, 
it  comes  out  a  fine  day. 

1883.  GREENWOOD,  Tag,  Rag  &  Co. 
That  countryman  was  right  when  he  prog- 
nosticated a  SOAKER. 


SOAP,  subs,  (common).— i.  Flat- 
tery :  also  SOFT-SOAP  :  cf.  SOFT- 
SAWDER.  As  verb.  =  to  flatter ; 

TO     CARNEY     (q.V.)  ;       SOAPY  = 

smooth-tongued. 

1840.  Widow  Bedott  Papers,  308. 
You  don't  catch  me  a  slanderin'  folks 
behind  their  backs,  and  then  SOFT  SOAPIN' 
them  to  their  faces. 

1843.  WALSH,  Speech  [BARTLETT]. 
I  am  tired  of  this  system  of  placemen 
SOFT-SOAPING  the  people. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green. 
The  tailor  and  robemaker  .  .  .  visibly 
SOAPED  our  hero  in  what  is  understood  to 
be  the  shop  sense  of  the  word. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown  at  Ox- 
ford, xxxiii.  He  and  I  are  great  chums, 
and  a  little  SOFT-SOAP  will  go  a  long  way 
with  him. 

1865.  DICKENS,  Dr.  Marigold  .  .  . 
These  Dear  Jacks  SOAP  the  people  shame- 
ful, but  we  Cheap  Jacks  don't. 

1876.  DIPROSE,  Laugh  and  Learn. 
Flattery  is  the  confectionery  of  the  world. 
In  polite  society  it  goes  by  the  name  of 
SOAP,  and  in  general  is  designated  soft- 
sawder. 

1902.  DELANNOY,  £19,000,  xxxix. 
'  Mrs.  Depew,  you're  the  most  sensible 
woman  I've  ever  met.'  '  None  of  your 
SOFT-SOAP,  now.' 

2.  (old).  —  Money  :    generic  : 
spec,  secret  service  money.     As 
verb.  —  to  bribe. 

1834.  MARRYATT,  Peter  Simple,  iv. 
Well,  Reefer,  how  are  you  off  for  SOAP  ? 

1884.  Boston  [Mass.]  Globe,  7  Oct. 
'  Sinews  of  war,'  and  '  living  issues,' 
SOAP,  and  other  synonyms  for  campaign 
boodle  are  familiar. 

18  [?].  Mag.  Amer.  Hist.  [Century}. 
SOAP — Originally  used  by  the  Republican 
managers  during  the  campaign  of  1880,  as 
the  cipher  for  money  in  their  telegraphic 
despatches.  In  1884  it  was  revived  as  a 
derisive  war  cry  aimed  at  the  Republicans 
by  their  opponents. 

3.  (Royal  Military  Academy). 
—Cheese. 


SOAP-AND-BULLION,    subs.     phr. 
(nautical). — See  quot. 


Soap-crawler. 


291 


Sock. 


1883.  CLARK  RUSSELL,  Sailors 
Language,  xii.  I  have  known  many  a 
strong  stomach,  made  food-proof  by  years 
of  pork  eaten  with  molasses,  and  biscuit 
alive  with  worms,  to  be  utterly  capsized, 
by  the  mere  smell  of  soup-and-bouilli. 
Jack  calls  it  'SOAP-AND-BULLION,  one 
onion  to  a  gallon  of  water,'  and  this  fairly 
expresses  the  character  of  the  nauseous 
compound. 

SOAP-CRAWLER,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  toady. 

SOAP-LOCK  (or  CURL),  subs.  phr. 
(American). — A  soaped  lock  of 
hair  on  the  temple. 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship 
[BARTLETT].  The  way  my  last  letter  has 
cradled  off  the  SOAPLOCKS,  and  imperials, 
and  goatlocks  ...  is  truly  alarming. 

2.     (American).  —  A      rowdy 
(BARTLETT). 

SoAP-suos,.w3.y./)&r.  (old). — 'Gin 
and  water,  hot,  with  lemon  and 
lump  sugar '  (BEE). 

SOAP-TRICK,  sub.  phr.  (American 
thieves'). — A  variety  of  the  well- 
known  purse  swindle.  A  cake  of 
soap  is  sold  for  a  dollar  to  a  gull 
who  thinks  he  has  that  one  he 
has  wrapped  a  five-dollar  bill  in, 
and  marked  himself.  Hence 
SOAPER  =  a  soap-trick  swindler. 

SOARY,  adj.  and  adv.  (American). 
— Inclined  to  *  draw  the  long 
bow' ;  HIGH-FALUTIN'  (g.v.). 

SOBERSIDES,  subs,  (colloquial). — A 
sedate  person. 

1852.  BRONTE,  Villette,  xxviii.  You 
deemed  yourself  a  melancholy  SOBER- 
SIDES enough  !  Miss  Fanshawe  there 
regards  you  as  a  second  Diogenes  in  his 
tub. 


SOBER-WATER,    sub.    phr.    (com- 
mon). — Soda-water. 


Soc,  subs,  (printers').— 'Society' : 
non-Soc-man  =  a  RAT  (q.v.),  a 
blackleg,  a  non-Union-man. 

Socius,  subs.  (Winchester).  —  A 
chum ;  a  companion.  As  verb.  = 
to  accompany.  [The  School  pre- 
cept is  Sociati  omnes  incedunto.  ] 

SOCK,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— t.  A 
pocket :  '  Not  a  rag  in  my  sock  ' 
=  penniless  (B.  E.). 

2.  (Eton  College).— Edibles  of 
any  kind:   spec,  dainties,  TUCK 
(q.v.).      As  verb.  =  (i)    to    eat 
outside  regular  meals  ;    (2)  =  TO 
TREAT   (q.v.)',    whence  (3)  =  to 
give. 

c.isso.  MACHVN,  Diary  [Camden 
Soc.]  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  534.  The 
substantive  SUCKETT  appears  for  dainty 
.  .  .  hence,  perhaps,  the  SOCK  so  dear  to 
Etonians.] 

1 88 1.  PASCOE,  Every-day  Life,  &>c. 
The  consumption  of  SOCK,  too,  in  school 
was  considerable,  and  on  occasion  very 
conspicuous. 

1883.  BRINSLEY  RICHARDS,  Seven 
Years  at  Eton.  We  Eton  fellows,  great 
and  small  SOCKED  prodigiously. 

1889.  BUCKLAND,  Eton  Fifty  Years 
Ago  [Macm.  Mag.,  Nov.].  My  governor 
has  SOCKED  me  a  book  ...  A  boy  has 
also  been  heard  to  ask  another  TO  SOCK 
him  a  construe  of  his  lesson. 

3.  (common).  —  Credit ;  JAW- 
BONE (q.v.)  :  also  as  verb.  =  (i) 
to  get  credit,  and  2  (American) 
=  to  pay  :  also  TO  SOCK  DOWN. 

4.  (common). — An   overgrown 
baby  \Rnty.  Diet.}. 

5.  (old). — A    comedy.     [The 
SOCK,     an     ancient     ensign    of 
Comedy;  the  BUSKIN  =  Tragedy.] 
Whence  SOCK-AND-BUSKIN  =  (I) 

THE  PROFESSION  (q.V.). 

1590.  SPENSER,  Tears  of  the  Muses, 
176.  Where  be  the  sweete  delights  of 
learnings  treasure,  That  wont  with  Comick 
SOCK  to  beautefie  The  painted  Theaters. 

1637.  MILTON,  L' Allegro,  132.  Then 
to  the  well-trod  stage  anon,  If  Jonson's 
learned  SOCK  be  on. 


Sockdologer. 


292 


Socket. 


1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  107.  The  gentlemen  of  THE 
SOCK  AND  BUSKIN  are  not  on  the  best 
possible  terms  with  the  church.  Ibid.) 
190.  My  kindred  of  THE  SOCK  AND 
BUSKIN.  Ibid.,  249.  I  knew  perfectly 
that  my  sister  of  THE  SOCK  AND  BUSKIN 
had  entrapped  this  nobleman. 

1817.  BYRON,  Beppo,  xxxi.  He  was 
a  critic  upon  operas,  too,  And  knew  all 
niceties  of  THE  SOCK  AND  BUSKIN. 

Verb,  (old).— i.  To  beat;  to 
drub  (B.  E.);  to  press  hardly: 
also  as  subs. :  e.g.,  '  SOCK  IT  him  ' 
or  '  Give  him  SOCK  (or  SOCKS)  '  = 
'  Pitch  into  him,  dress  him  down.' 
Whence  SOCKER  =  a  heavy  blow. 
Also  2  (American)  =  to  smash  a 
hat  over  head  and  ears,  TO 
BONNET  (q.v.).  [C/.  (provincial) 
SOCK  =  to  strike  hard.]  . 

1890.     KIPLING,     The    Oont     {Scots 
Observer],    We  SOCKS  him  with  a  stretcher- 
pole,   and   'eads  him  off  in  front.     Ibid., 
C.B."    Drunk  and  resistin'  the  guard; 
'Strewth  1  but  I  SOCKED  at  'em  'ard. 

1897.  MARSHALL,    Pomes,    87.    He 
SOCK'D  her  in  the  eye  at  times,  and  stars 
she'd  often  view. 

1898.  Illust.    Bits,   Xmas   No.,   50. 
Then  Maudie  .  .  .  jumps  across  the  floor, 
And  ketches  me  a  ...  rousin'  SOCKER  on 
the  jore. 

1903.  D.  Tel.,  19  Jan.  '  Police  Re- 
port.' Then,  said  the  witness,  occurred  the 
most  dreadful  SOCKING  he  had  ever  seen  in 
the  course  of  a  long  experience  of  street 
rows.  It  was  literally  a  case  of  '  fur  and 
feathers  flying* — the  hair  was  torn  ...  in 
handfuls  from  the  scalp. 

2.  (Winchester). — To  hit  hard  : 
spec,  at  cricket.     Also  to  defeat. 

3.  (old). — To  sew  up. 

1584.  R.  SCOT,  Disc,  of  Witchcraft 
{N.  andQ.,  6  S.,  xi.  268].  Needels  where- 
with dead  bodies  are  sowne  or  SOCKT  into 
their  sheets. 

1604.  MIDDLETON,  Witch,  i.  2.  The 
same  needles  thrust  into  their  pillows  That 
sews  and  SOCKS  up  dead  men  in  their 
sheets. 

SOCKDOLOGER  (SOCDOLOGER, 
STOCKDOLOGER,  SLOGDOLOGER, 
or  SOGDOLOGER),  subs.  (Ameri- 


can).— i.  Anything  overwhelm- 
ing or  exceptional  :  from  a  re- 
partee to  an  earthquake  :  generic. 
Also  as  verb.  \Cf.  SOCK.] 

18  [?].  CROCKETT,  Bear  Hunt  [BART- 
LETT].  ...  I  gave  the  fellow  a  SOCDOLAGER 
over  his  head  with  the  barrel  of  my  gun. 

1862.  Punchy  Aug.,  'Jonathan's  Ap- 
peal to  Sambo.'  Up,  niggers  !  slash, 
smash,  sack,  and  smite,  SLOGDOLLAGIZE, 
and  slay  'em. 

1883.  LOWELL,  To  Mr.  John  Bart- 
lett  [who  had  sent  a  7-lb.  trout].     Fit  for 
an  Abbot  Theleme  ...  He  lies  there,  the 

SOGDOLOGER ! 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huck.  Finn.     The 
thunder  would  go  rumbling  and  grumbling 
away,    and    quit  —  and    then    rip    comes 
another  flash  and  another  SOCKDOLOGER. 

SOCKER,  subs,  (common).  —  i.  A 
fool,  sloven,  or  lout :  a  general 
term  of  contempt.  Also  SOCKIE 
and  SOCKHEAD. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer,  4. 
The  rabble  then  began  to  swear,  What  the 
old  SOCKER  said  was  fair. 

2.    (originally    Harrow  :    now 
general). — Association   Football : 

cf.    RUGGER.      Also  SOCCER. 

1896.  Tonbridgian,  339.  Hartley  has 
been  playing  very  well  this  season,  and 
has    also    become    a    great    half-back   at 
SOCKER. 

1897.  Felstedian,     Nov.     194.       In 
SOCCER,  with  old  Blues  up,  we  ought  to  be 
very  strong. 

1902.  Pali I  Mall  Gaz.,  2  Jan.,  9,  2. 
The  article,  which  deals  with  both  forms  of 
the  English  game — SOCCER  and  rugger — 
proves  to  the  hilt,  &c. 

SOCKET,  subs,  (venery). — The  fe- 
male pudendum :  see  MONOSYL- 
LABLE. See  SOCKET-MONEY. 

1621.  JONSON,  Masque  of  Gypsies 
[GiFFORD,  Works,  iii.  144].  And  sounding 
the  SOCKETS  Of  simper-the-cockets. 

£.1650.  BRATHWAYTE,  Barnaby's  Jo. 
(1723),  93.  Her  I  caught  by  you  know 
what-a,  Having  boldly  thus  adventur'd, 
And  my  Sara's  SOCKET  entered. 

BURNT  TO  THE  SOCKET,  phr. 
(old).— Dying  (RAY). 


Socket-money. 


293 


Soft-ball. 


SOCKET- MONEY,  subs.phr.  (old). — 
'  Demanded  and  spent  upon  Mar- 
riage '  (B.  E.);  2  (GROSE)  = 
'money  paid  by  a  married  man 
caught  in  an  intrigue '  ;  3  (old)  = 
*  a  whore's  fee  '  (GROSE).  Hence 
socKETER  =  a  blackmailer. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
127.  We'll  take  her,  be  she  wife  or  whore  ; 
But  we  must  likewise  come  upon  ye,  By 
way  of  costs,  for  SOCKET-MONEY. 

SOD,  subs,  (common).  —  I.  A 
sodomist ;  hence  (2)  a  violent 
term  of  abuse. 

SODGER.      See  SOGER. 

SODOM,  subs.  (Oxford  Univ.).— 
I.  Wadham  College. 

2.  (old). — London  :  cf.  BABY- 
LON. 

SOFT,  subs,  (thieves'). — Bank  notes 
(GROSE)  :  generic  :  also  SOFT- 
FLIMSY.  To  DO  SOFT = to  utter 
counterfeit  notes. 

Adj.  (old).— (i)  Foolish;  easy- 
going (B.  E.  and  BEE)  ;  and  (2) 
choice,  exquisite  (see  quot.  1596): 
originally  effeminate.  As  subs. 
(SOFTY,  or  SOFT-HORN)  =  a  sim- 
pleton ;  as  adj.  (SOFTISH,  or 
SOFT-HEADED)  =  weak  -  minded, 
silly  (BAILEY). 

a?.  1 536.  TVNDALE,  Wtrks,  ii.  258. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  428.  An  Em- 
peror who  gave  in  to  the  Pope  is  called  a 
SOFT  man.] 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hamlet,  v.  2, 
no.  Laertes  .  .  .  an  absolute  gentleman, 
full  of  most  excellent  differences,  of  very 
SOFT  SOCIETY  and  great  showing. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  209. 
What  cannot  such  scoffers  do,  especially 
if  they  find  a  SOFT  creature  on  whom  they 
may  work.  Ibid.,  149.  He  made  .  .  . 
SOFT  fellows  stark  noddies. 


1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  13.  You  are  young,  and  seem  a 
little  SOFT. 

1828.  BEE,  Liv.  Pict.  Land.,  45.  If 
you  appear  tolerably  SOFT,  and  will  '  stand 
it,'  he  perhaps  refuses  these  also,  after 
having  rung  the  changes  once  more.  This 
is  called  a  double  do. 

1859.  ELIOT,  Adam  Bede,  ix.  If 
you've  got  a  SOFT  to  drive  you,  he'll  soon 
turn  over  into  the  ditch. 

1863.  MRS.      GASKELL,      Sylvia's 
Lovers,    xv.     Nancy  .   .    .    were   but    a 
SOFTY  after  all. 

1864.  BRADDON,  Aurora  Floyd,  xvii. 
1  I've  mashed    the  tea  for  'ee,'  said  the 

SOFTY. 

1888.  MRS.  H.  WARD,  Robert  Els- 
mere,  iii.  He  is  a  kind  of  SOFTIE— all 
alive  on  one  side  of  his  brain,  and  a  noodle 
on  the  other. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  73.  Called 
the  beak  'a  balmy  kipper,'  dubbeM  him 
'SOFT  about  the  shell.' 

1902.  LYNCH,  High  Stakes,  xxxii.  I 
.  .  .  heard  them  calling  me  SOFTY,  and 
other  .  .  .  names,  before  I  had  fairly 
turned  my  back  on  them. 

PHRASES.  SOFT-HEARTED  = 
yielding,  piteous,  tender ;  '  HARD 
(ARSE)  OR  SOFT  ? '  =  '  Third  class 
or  first  ? ' ;  SOFT  FOOD  =  pap  ; 
SOFT  =  hash  ;  SOFT  is  YOUR 
HORN  =  '  You  make  a  mistake ' 
(BEE);  A  SOFT  THING  =  (i)  an 
easy  or  pleasant  task,  and  (2)  a 
facile  simpleton ;  A  BIT  OF  HARD 
FOR  A  BIT  OF  SOFT  (venery)  = 
copulation  ;  SOFT  DOWN  ON  =  in 
love  with.  See  HARD-SHELL; 
HARD-TACK  ;  SAWDER  (adding 
quot.  1844  infra) ;  SNAP  ;  SOAP  ; 
SPOTS  ;  TACK. 

1844.  HALIBURTON,  Attache,  19.  I 
don't  like  to  be  left  alone  with  a  gall ;  it's 
plaguy  apt  to  set  me  a  SOFT-SAWDERIN', 
and  a  courtin'.  Ibid.  (1855),  Human  Na- 
ture, 311.  Sam  Slick  said  he  trusted  to 
SOFT  SAWDER  to  get  his  wooden  clocks 
into  a  bouse. 

SOFT-BALL,  subs.  phr.  (Royal  Mili- 
tary Academy). — Tennis. 


Soft-horn. 


294 


Soger. 


SOFT- HORN,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
— An  ass,  whether  quadruped  or 
biped. 

So  FT- HORSE,  subs.  phr.  (racing). — 
A  horse  lacking  stamina. 

SOFTLING,  subs.  (old). — A  volup- 
tuary. 

1576.  WOOLTON,  Christ.  Manual. 
Effeminate  and  SOFTLINGS  cause  the  stoute 
man  to  waxe  tender. 

SOFT-SOAP.    See  SOAP. 

SOFT-SHELL,  subs.  phr.  (obsolete 
American  political). — See  quots. 
and  HARD-SHELL.  Also  SOFTS 
and  SOFT-SHELL  Democrats. 

1858.  Report  of  Meeting  Co.  of 
Orleans,  Sept. ,  Resolved.  That  the  terms 
Hunker,  Barnburner,  SOFT-SHELL,  and 
Hardshell  have  become  obsolete,  and  here- 
after we  will  be  known  only  by  the  term 
Democrat. 

1899.  Century  Diet.,  s.v.  SOFT.  II.  2. 
In  U.  S.  Politics :  (a)  A  member  or  an 
adherent  of  that  one  of  the  two  factions 
into  which  in  1852  and  succeeding  years 
the  Democratic  psifty  jn  the  State  of  New 
York  was  divided  which  was  less  favour- 
able to  the  extension  of  slavery.  (8)  A 
member  of  the  pro-slavery  wing  of  the 
Democratic  party  in  Missouri  about  1850. 

SOFT-TACK  (or  -TOMMY),  subs. phr. 
(nautical).  —  Bread  :  as  distin- 
guished from  biscuit,  which  is 
*  Ship's  bread.' 

1878.  GILBERT,  H.M.S.  Pinafore. 
I've  treacle  and  toffee,  and  excellent  coffee, 
SOFT  TOMMY,  and  succulent  chops. 

1883.  GREENWOOD,  Odd  People.  The 
SOFT-TACK  and  the  green  vegetables  the 
bumboat  people  bring  alongside  ships  that 
have  been  long  absent  on  sea  service. 

SOG,SU&S.  (school). — i.  Asovereign; 

20/-. 

2.    (American).  —  A    swoon  ; 
lethargy. 

1 86s.  S.  O.  JEWETT  \Scribner 's 
Mag.,  ii.  738.  Old  Ezra  Barnet  .  .  . 
waved  a  limp  hand  warningly  toward  the 
bedroom  door,  'She's  layin  in  a  SOG,'  he 
said,  hopelessly. 


SOGER  (SOJER,  or  SODGER),  subs. 
(colloquial). — I.  A  soldier.  [Cf. 
sawgeoure  (miles}  Townley  Myst. 
(<M40i),  p.  310]. 

[  ?  ].  Chronicon,  Mirab.,  109.  A 
SOGER  of  the  arme. 

d.  1796.  BURNS,  Jolly  Beggars,  'Soldier 
Laddie,'  iii.  He  ventur'd  the  soul,  and  I 
risked  the  body,  'Twas  then  I  prov'd  false 
to  my  SODGER  laddie. 

1864.  BROWNE,  Works  (1870),  257. 
We  certainly  don't  lack  brave  SOJERS— but 
there's  one  thing  I  wish  we  did  lack,  and 
that  is,  our  present  Congress. 

^.1868.  LOVER,  The  Bould  Soger  Boy 
[Title]. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  217. 
Won't  it  be  fine  to  see  the  SOJERS  on  'orse- 
back?  I  hope  its  the  Reds. 

2.  (nautical). — See  quots. 

1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  25.  All 
hands  are  engaged  upon  it  [reefing],  and  after 
the  halyards  are  let  go,  there  is  no  time  to 
be  lost — no  SOGERING,  or  hanging  back. 
Ibid.,  117,  Note.  SOGER  (soldier)  is  the 
worst  term  of  reproach  that  can  be  applied 
to  a  sailor.  It  signifies  a  skulk,  a  sherk — 
one  who  is  always  trying  to  get  clear  of 
work,  and  is  out  of  the  way,  or  hanging 
back,  when  duty  is  to  be  done.  "  Marine" 
is  applied  more  particularly  to  a  man 
ignorant  and  clumsy  about  seaman's  work 
— a  green-horn— a  land-lubber.  To  make 
a  sailor  shoulder  a  handspike,  and  walk 
fore  and  aft  the  deck,  like  a  sentry,  is  the 
most  ignominious  punishment  that  could 
be  put  on  him  ;  inflicted  upon  an  able  sea- 
man in  a  vessel  of  war,  would  break  his 
spirit  down  more  than  a  flogging. 

1881.  WARNER,  Winter  on  the  Nile, 
248.  The  two  long  lines  of  men  attached 
to  the  ropes  .  .  .  stretch  out  ...  so  far 
that  it  needs  an  opera-glass  to  discover 
whether  the  leaders  are  pulling  or  only 

SOLDIERING. 

1883.  CLARK  RUSSELL,  Sailors  Lan~ 
guage,  xiii.  Many  an  old  prejudice  sur- 
vives in  sea-language  .  .  .  SOGER  ...  is 
as  strong  a  term  of  contempt  as  one  sailor 
can  fling  at  another,  whilst  SOGERING 
means  to  loaf,  to  skulk  ...  as  if  ... 
characteristic  of  a  soldier. 

3.  (Winchester).  —  See    quot. 
and  PERCHER. 


Soiled-dove. 


295 


Solomon. 


1880.  Music  q/  a  Merry  Heart,  55. 
The  books  went  up  and  in  due  time  were 
returned  to  us  after  examination,  with  the 
most  startling  faults  indicated  by  a  good 
big  cross  in  the  margin,  which  crosses  for 
some  reason,  were  known  as  SODGERS. 

So  I  LED- DOVE,  stibs.  phr.  (obso- 
lete).—A  prostitute  :  see  TART. 

SOLACE,  subs,  (old  printers'). — A 
penalty  ;  a  fine  (MoxoN,  1683). 

SOLO.    See  SELL. 

SOLDIER,  subs,  (common). — i.  A 
red  herring  ;  and  (2)  a  boiled 
lobster  (GROSE  and  BEE). 

Verb.  (Australian).  —  I.  *  To 
make  temporary  use  of  (another 
man's  horse).  Thus  a  man  want- 
ing a  mount  catches  the  first  horse 
he  can,  rides  it  to  his  destination, 
and  then  lets  it  go '  (Century], 

2.  (old). — To  bully  ;  to  hector 
(HALLIWELL). 

3.  (military).  =  To  do  routine 
work,  as  cleaning  accoutrements, 
fatigue  duty,  anything  irksome  in 
a  soldier's  life. 

PHRASES  and  COMBINATIONS. 
— SOLDIER'S-BOTTLE  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE)  =  a  large  bottle  ;  SOL- 
DIER'S-MAWND  =  (I)  'a  counter- 
feit Sore  or  Wound  in  the  left 
Arm'  (B.  E.),  and  (2)  'a  pre- 
tended soldier,  begging  with  a 
counterfeit  wound,  which  he  pre- 
tends to  have  received  at  some 
famous  siege  or  battle '  (GROSE)  ; 
SOLDIER'S  JOY  =  masturbation  ; 
SOLDIER'S  POMATUM  =  a  piece  of 
tallow  (GROSE)  ;  SOLDIER'S 
THIGH  =  an  empty  pocket;  A 
SOLDIER'S  WIND  =  a  fair  wind 
either  way,  consequently  (C. 
RUSSELL)  '  a  beam  wind ' ;  OLD 
SOLDIER  =  (i)  an  empty  bottle  : 
cf.  MARINE,  and  (2)  see  OLD 
SOLDIER.  See  COME  and  FRESH- 
WATER SOLDIER. 


1853.  KINGSLEY,  Westward  Ho ,  xix. 
The  breeze  blowing  dead  off  the  land  was 
'a  SOLDIER'S  WIND  there  and  back  again,' 
for  either  ship. 

SOLEMNCHOLY.  subs,  (common). — 
Seriousness ;  gravity  :  cf.  '  melan- 
choly.' 

SOLE-SLOGGER,  subs,  (common). — 
A  shoemaker. 


SOL-FA, su&s.  (old).- 
(GROSE). 


-A  parish  clerk 


SOLID,  adj.  (Century.  Am.  polit. 
slang).  —  United  ;  unanimous. 
Thus,  a  SOLID  vote  =  a  unanimous 
vote  ;  THE  SOLID  SOUTH  (Ameri- 
can) =  the  Southern  States  during 
reconstruction  :  from  their  uni- 
form support  of  the  Democratic 
party  ;  A  SOLID  PARTY  =  a  united 
party  ;  TO  MAKE  ONESELF  SOLID 
WITH  =  to  come  to  an  agreement 
with,  &c. 

1884.  Century  Mag,,  xxxvii.  30. 
We  thus  succeeded  in  making  ourselves 
SOLID  with  the  administration  before  we 
had  been  in  a  town  or  village  forty-eight 
hours. 

1888.  HOWELLS,  Annie  Kilburn, 
xviii.  I'm  SOLID  FOR  Mr.  Peck  every 
time. 

1898.  WALSH,  Lit.  Curios.,  1019. 
SOLID  SOUTH  .  .  .  The  first  occurrence  of 
the  phrase  in  the  modern  sense  may  be 
traced  back  to  circa  1868  .  .  .  The 
persistent  solidarity  of  action  of  the 
Southern  States  .  .  .  found  expression  in 
it  as  a  term  of  reproach. 

SOLITARY,  subs,  (prison).  —  Solitary 
confinement. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  156. 
We  done  a  bit  o'  SOLITARY  once  or  twice. 

SOLO,  subs.  (Winchester).  —  A  soli- 
tary walk,  without  a  socius 


SOLOMON   (or   SOLLOMON).     See 

SALMON. 


Solution  of  Continuity.    296 


Son. 


SOLUTION  OF  CONTINUITY,  subs, 
phr.  (venery).  —  The  female 
pudendum  :  see  MONOSYLLABLE 
(URQUHART). 

SOME,  subs,  and  adv.  (American). 
— Somewhat ;  a  certain  amount ; 
a  great  deal :  cf.  FEW  and  see 
PUMPKIN. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.,  v. 
5.  Bate  me  SOME,  and  I  will  pay  you 

SOME. 

1847.  RUXTON,  Far  West,  54. 
When  a  boy,  our  trapper  was  'SOME*  .  .  . 
with  the  rifle,  and  always  had  a  hanicering 
for  the  West. 

1849.  New  York  Tribune,  15  May. 
Admitted  by  the  oldest  inhabitant  to  be 
'SOME*  in  the  way  of  cold  winters. 

1856.  Knickerbocker  Mag.,  Mar. 
He  was  SOME  on  horses  .  .  .  immense  at 
ten -pins. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  178. 
I  used  to  play  cards  SOME  before  I  was 
married. 


SOMETHING.  See  DAMP  and 
SHORT. 

SOMEWHERES,  adv.  (vulgar). — 
Somewhere ;  about :  e.g.,  '  SOME- 
WHERES along  of  fifty  quid.' 

SON.  In  combination,  thus — SON 
OF  APOLLO  =  a  scholar  (B.  E.) ; 

SON    OF  A   BITCH  (SOW,  WHORE, 

&c. )  =  a  term  of  violent  abuse  ; 
SON  OF  A  BACHELOR  =  a  bastard  ; 

SON  OF  A  GUN   (or  SEA-COOK)  = 

(i)  a  soldier's  bastard,  and  (2)  a 
term  of  contempt  (see  quot.  1867) ; 
SON  OF  MARS  =  a  soldier  (B.  E.); 
SON  OF  MERCURY  =  a  wit  (B.  E. ) ; 
SON  OF  PARCHMENT  =  a  lawyer 

(B.   E.)  ;    SON   OF   PRATTLEMENT 

=  an  advocate  (GROSE)  ;  SON 
OF  WAX  =  a  cobbler  ;  EVERY 
MOTHER'S  SON  =  everybody ;  A 
FAVOURITE  SON  (see  quot.  1888); 
SON  OF  VENUS  =  a  wencher. 


c.i  330.  Auchinleck  MS.  [HoRST- 
MANN,  Altenglische  Legenden,  253]. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  18.  There  is 
the  new  phrase  mani  a  moder  child ; 
whence  comes  EVERY  MOTHER'S  SON.] 

1592.  SHAKSPEARE,  Mid.  Night's 
Dream,  \.  2,  80.  That  would  hang  us, 
EVERY  MOTHER'S  SON. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May  Day,  ii.  2. 
The  SON  OF  A  SOW-GELDER  that  came  to 
town  ...  in  a  tattered  russet  coat  .  .  . 
must  needs  rise  a  gentleman. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  i.  121.  Get 
thee  gone  from  my  Door,  Like  a  SON  OF 
A  WHORE.  Ibid.,  in.  41.  Certain  SONS 
OF  PARCHMENT  called  Sollicitors  and  Bar- 
risters. 

1705.  VANBRUGH,  Confederacy,  iii.  2. 
Here's  a  SON  OF  A  w . 

1748.     SMOLLETT,    Random,    iii. 

Lookee,  you  lubberly  SON  OF  A  w E,  if 

you  can  athwart  me  .  .  .  ;  I'll  be  foul  of 

your    quarter,   d n   me.     Ibid.,   xxvii. 

Lazy  lubberly  SONS  OF  BITCHES  .  .  .  good 
for  nothing  on  board  but  to  eat  the  King's 
provision,  and  encourage  idleness  in  the 
skulkers. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
'  Publisher  to  the  Reader.'  They  called 
one  another  rogue,  rascal,  and  SON  OF  A 
BITCH  very  cordially. 

1850.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford,  x., 
'  Fighting  Attic's  Song.'  Pass  the  bingo — 
OF  A  GUN,  You  musky,  dusky,  husky  SON. 

1833.  MARRY  AT,  Peter  Simple  (1834), 
446.  You  are  the  SON  OF  A  BITCH.  Ibid. , 
xii.  Take  that — and  that — and  that  .  .  . 
you  damn'd  hay-making  SON  OF  A  SEA- 
COOK. 

1835.  DANA,  Two  Years  Before 
Mast,  xiv.  He  was  not  the  man  to  call  a 

sailor  a  SON  OF  A  B H,  and  knock  him 

down  with  a  handspike. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.  A 
stupid,  old  snuff-coloured  SON  OF  A  GUN. 

1867.  AD.  SMYTH,  Sailors'  Word 
Book,  s.v.  SON  OF  A  GUN.  An  epithet 
conveying  contempt  in  a  slight  degree,  and 
originally  applied  to  boys  born  afloat, 
when  women  were  permitted  to  accompany 
their  husbands  to  sea  ;  one  admiral 
declared  he  literally  was  thus  cradled, 
under  the  breast  of  a  gun-carriage. 

1888.  BRYCE,  American  Common- 
wealth, ir.  153.  A  FAVOURITE  SON  is  a 
politician  respected  or  admired  in  his  own 
State,  but  little  regarded  beyond  it. 


Song. 


297 


Sop. 


1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xvi. 
They  have  that  to  give  which  is  wanted  by 
EVERY  MOTHER'S  SON. 

SONG,  subs,  (common). — A  trifle  ; 
a  nominal  sum  or  price  :  also  an 
OLD  (or  MERE)  SONG. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  All's  Well,  iii* 
2,  8.  I  know  a  man  that  had  this  trick  o* 
melancholy  sold  a  goodly  manor  for  A 

SONG. 

^.1719.  ADDISON,  Works[Ency.  Diet.]. 
A  hopeful  youth,  newly  advanced  to  great 
honour,  was  forced  by  a  cobbler  to  resign 

for  AN  OLD  SONG. 

1888.  Globe,  2  Sep.  Evergreen,  who 
was  bought  for  A  MERE  SONG. 

1901.  St.  James's  Gaz.,  5  Mar.,  5,  i. 
Ships,  like  everything  else,  grow  old. 
Though  they  cost  a  round  million  to  build, 
they  are  sold  for  a  SONG  when  obsolete. 

To  CHANGE  ONE'S  SONG  (or 
SING  ANOTHER  SONG),  verb.  phr. 
(common). — To  tell  a  different 
tale  (GROSE)  :  see  SING.  Also 
'  His  morning  and  evening  SONG 
do  not  agree '  =  '  He  tells 
another  yarn  at  night  to  the  one 
in  the  morning.' 

SON  KEY,  subs,  (common). — A 
clumsy  fellow  ;  a  lout  ;  also  SONK, 
SONKY,  and  SONKIE. 

SONNIE     (SONNY     or     SONNIKIN), 

subs,  (common). — An  affectionate 
or  familiar  address  :  with  no 
necessary  reference  to  age  or 
relationship.  Also  (nautical) 

SONNIWAX   Or   SONNYWAX. 

1542.  UDAL,  Erasmus,  233.  This 
word  faidion,  SONNEKIN  .  .  .  tripped  a 
little  in  his  tongue. 

1896.  PATERSON,  Man  from  Snowy 
River,  10.  Weel,  weel,  don't  get  angry, 
my  SONNY. 

SOOL,  verb.  (Australian). — I.  To 
excite  a  dog  ;  to  set  him  on.  2. 
=  to  worry,  as  a  dog  a  cat. 


1896.  MRS.  PARKER,  Ans.  Leg. 
Tales,  90.  She  went  softly  towards  her 
camp,  calling  softly  ..."  SOOL  'EM,  SOOL 
'EM  "...  the  signal  for  the  dogs  to  come 
out. 


SOOT- BAG,  Subs.  phr.  (HOTTEN). — 

A  reticule. 

SOOTERKIN,  subs.  (old). — I.  See 
quot.  1755  (B.  E.).  Hence  (2) 
an  abortive  proposal  or  scheme. 

1673.  DRYDEN,  Remarks  on  Emp. 
of  Morocco.  He  has  all  the  pangs  and 
throes  of  a  fanciful  poet,  but  is  never 
delivered  of  any  more  perfect  issue  of  his 
phlegmatick  brain  than  a  dull  Dutch 
woman's  SOOTERKIN  is  of  her  body. 

1678.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  in.  ii.  146. 
For  knaves  and  fools  b'ing  near  of  kin,  As 
Dutch  boors  are  t'a  SOOTERKIN. 

1726.  POPE,  Dunciad,  i.  126.  All 
that  on  Folly  Frenzy  could  beget,  Fruits 
of  dull  heat,  and  SOOTERKINS  of  wit. 

I75S-  JOHNSON,  Eng.  Diet.,  s.v. 
SOOTERKIN.  A  kind  of  false  birth  fabled 
to  be  produced  by  Dutch  women  from 
sitting  over  their  stoves. 

SOP,  subs.  (old). — I.  A  bribe  ; 
e.g.,  a  SOP  TO  CERBERUS  =  a 
doorkeeper's  or  porter's  TIP  (q.v.). 

1513.  DOUGLAS,  ^Eneis,  vi.  60. 
Cerberus,  the  hiddus  hund  .  .  .  Quham 
til  the  prophetes  ...  A  SOP  stepit  intill 
hunny  .  .  .  gan  cast. 

1670.  HOWARD,  Committee,  iv.  i. 
You  unconscionable  Rascal  ...  do  you 
want  some  Fees?  I'll  perish  .  .  .  before 
throwing  SOPS  to  such  Curs. 

1695.  CONGREVE,  Love  for  Love,  i. 
4,  17.  If  I  can  GIVE  THAT  CERBERUS  A 
SOP,  I  shall  be  at  rest  for  one  day. 

1697.  DRYDEN,  JEneis,  Postscr. 
Even  Cerberus  when  he  had  received  the 
SOP,  permitted  ^Eneis  to  pass. 

^.1745.  SWIFT,  Works  [Century].  To 
Cerberus  they  give  a  SOP,  His  triple 
barking  mouth  to  stop. 

1773.  FOOTE,  Nabob,  i.  There  is 
but  one  way  of  managing  here :  I  must 
GIVE  THE  CERBERUS  A  SOP,  I  suppose. 

1825.  H.  SMITH,  Gaities  and  Grav. 
I  will  throw  down  a  napoleon  as  A  SOP  TO 
CERBERUS. 


Soph. 


298 


Sort. 


2.  (old). — A  small    piece  ;    a 
thing  or  matter  of  little  value. 

1362.  LANGLAND,  Piers  Plowman 
(B),  xiii.  124.  For  one  Piers  the  Plough- 
man hath  inpugned  vS  alle,  And  sette  alle 
sciences  at  a  SOPPE  saue  loue  one. 

3.  (common). — A  simpleton  ;  a 
'  milk-sop.' 

A  SOP  IN  THE  PAN,  subs.  phr. 
(colloquial). — I.  A  dainty  ;  and 
(2)  a  favour. 

1621.  FLETCHER,  Pilgrim,  iii.  7. 
Stir  no  more  abroad,  but  tend  your  busi- 
ness ;  You  shall  have  no  more  SOPS  i'  THE 
PAN  else. 

SOPH,  subs.  (Cambridge  Univ.). — 
A  sophister :  in  U.S.A.  sopho- 
more ;  '  a  student  beyond  his  first 
year'  (GROSE).  The  terms  are 
1st  year,  Freshman  ;  2nd  year, 
Junior  SOPH  ;  3rd  year,  Senior 
SOPH.  See  HARRY  SOPH. 

1710.  DURFEY,  Wit  and  Mirth.  I 
am  a  jolly  SOPH. 

1726.  POPE,  Dunciad,  ii.  379.  Three 
Cambridge  SOPHS  and  three  past  Templars 
came. 

1870.  GOODRICH  [WEBSTER  Un~ 
abridged,  s.v.  SOPHOMOSE].  This  word, 
generally  considered  an  American  bar- 
barism, was  probably  introduced  at  a  very 
early  period  from  the  Univ.  of  Cambridge, 
England.  Among  the  cant  terms  at  that 
University  as  given  in  the  'Gradus  ad 
Cantab'  [1803]  we  find  SOPHMOR.  It  is 
added  that  MoR=Gr.,  moria  introduced  at 
a  time  when  the  Enconium  Moritz,  the 
Praise  of  folly  by  Erasmus  was  so 
generally  used.  The  ordinary  derivation 
of  the  word  from  sophos  and  moros  would 
seem,  therefore,  to  be  incorrect  [Abridged}. 

SORE-FIST,  subs. phr.  (tailors'). — A 
bad  workman  :  cf.  TO  WRITE  A 
POOR  HAND  (ibid.)  =  to  sew  badly. 

SORE  LEG,  subs.  phr.  (military).— 
I.  German  sausage.  Also  2. 
(streets')  =  a  plum  -  pudding  ; 

SPOTTED-DOG   (q.V.). 

SORREL- PATE,  subs.  phr.  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE).  —  A  red-haired  man  ; 

CARROTS   (.V.). 


SORROWFUL  TALE,  subs.  phr. 
(rhyming). — Three  months  in  jail. 

SORRY,  adj.  (GROSE).  —  '  Vile, 
mean,  worthless  :  a  sorry  fellow 
or  hussy,  a  worthless  man  or 
woman.' 

Intj.  (colloquial). — { I  beg  your 
pardon.' 

SORT,  subs,  (colloquial).— SORT  (  = 
kind)  in  its  colloquial  usages 
is  frequently  elliptical.  Thus, 
'  THAT'S  YOUR  SORT  '  (of  method, 
fancy,  thing,  &c.);  *  AFTER  A 
SORT  '  (of  fashion — '  well  enough 
of  its  kind')  ;  A  GOOD  (or 
BAD)  SORT  (of  man,  fellow,  lot, 

&C.)-      OUT  OF  SORTS  =  (l)  SEEDY 

(q.v.) ;    (2)  =  cross,    depressed; 
and  (3)  =  old,  destitute.     SORTER 
(American)  =  sort  of. 
^.1536.    TYNDALE,  Works,  \.  274.  [OLi- 
PHANT,  New  Eng, ,  i.  433.    SORT  stands  for 
homo,  much  as  we  say  he  is  a  bad  lot.] 

1590.  E.  WEBBE,  Travels  (ARBER), 
34.  Now  to  ...  declare  vntp  you  in  what 
SORT  I  imploide  my  selfe  since  my  first 
entring  into  Englandel 

1595.  SHAKSPEARE,  3  Hen  VI.,  v.  5. 
Now  march  we  hence  ;  discharge  the 
COMMON  SORT  with  pay  and  thanks.  Ibid. 
(1609),  Tempest,  ii.  i,  102.  Is  not,  sir,  my 
doublet  as  'fresh  as  the  first  day  I  wore  it  ? 
I  mean,  IN  A  SORT. 

1603-15.  Court  and  Times  Chas.  I., 
i.  6.  The  Duke's  journey  to  France  is  laid 
down  :  and  yet  they  say  the  business  goeth 
on  IN  A  SORT. 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Prophetess,  iii.  i. 
Give  your  petitions  in  seemly  SORT,  and 
keep  your  hats  off  decently. 

1678.  RAY,  Proverbs,  304.  Many  a 
man  of  good  extraction  coming  home  from 
far  voyages,  may  chance  to  land  here,  and, 
being  OUT  OF  SORTS,  is  unable  for  the 
present  time  and  place  to  recruit  himself 
with  clothes. 

1680.  BETTERTON,  Revenge,  iv.  Why 
girl  .  .  .  you're  all  OUT  OF  SORTS  :  I 
thought  thjr  tongue  and  heels  could  never 
have  been  idle. 

1779.  D'ARBLAY,  Diary,  Jan.,  'To 
Mr.  Crisp.'  I  was  most  violently  OUT  OF 
SORTS,  and  really  had  not  spirits  to  answer 


So-so. 


299 


Soup. 


1782.  BURNEY,  Cecilia  (1778),  v.  308. 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii.  192.  Men  are 
described  as  being  OUT  OF  SORTS,  a  new 
phrase.  ] 

1792.  HOLCROFT,  Road  to  Ruin. 
Gold,  (passim).  THAT'S  YOUR  SORT  ! 

1817.  SCOTT,  Rob  Roy,  xxvi.  He 
has  a  kind  o'  Hieland  honesty — he's  honest 
AFTER  A  SORT,  as  they  say. 

1847.  PORTER,  Big  Bear,  126.  He 
was  breathin'  SORTER  hard. 

1851.  HAWTHORNE,  Seven  Gables^ 
viii.  No  wonder  you  are  OUT  OF  SORTS, 
my  little  cousin.  To  be  an  inmate  with 
such  a  guest  may  well  startle  an  innocent 
young  girl. 

1859.  THACKERAY,  Virginians,  xv. 
'  You  were  hurt  by  the  betting  just  now  ?  ' 
'  Well,'  replied  the  lad,  '  I  am  SORT  o' 
hurt.' 

So-so.    See  So. 

Soss,  SOSSLE,  &c.    See  SOZZLE. 

SOTWEED,    subs.    (old). — Tobacco 
(GROSE).        Hence      SOTWEED- 

DEALER  and  SOTWEED-PLANTER. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  I.  126.  When 
the  stew'd  SOTWEED  in  his  Mouth  has  lain 
So  long,  till  spitting  does  its  Virtues  drain. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud,  Rediv.,  i.  2,  22. 
I  scarce  had  fill'd  a  pipe  of  SOTWEED,  And 
by  the  Candle  made  it  Hotweed. 

1708.  COOK,  SOT-WEED  Factor, 
2.  These  SOTWEED  planters  crowd  the 
shoar.  Ibid.  (1730),  SOT- WEED  Re- 
divivus,  9.  When  aged  Roan  .  .  .  Left 
SOTWEED  Factor  in  the  Lurch. 

Sou,  NOT  A  Sou  (or  SOUSE),  subs. 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE). — Nothing. 

1761.  CHURCHILL,  Rosciad,  310. 
Next  came  the  treasurer  of  either  house, 
One  with  full  purse,  t'other  with  NOT  A 
SOUSE. 

1812.  COLMAN,  Poet.  Vag.,  30. 
That,  you  may  tell  me,  matters  NOT  A 


1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Legends. 
NOT  A  sou  had  he  got,  not  a  guinea  or 
note. 

SOUL.     SOUL  IN  SOAK,/^.  (nauti- 
cal). —  Drunk  :     see    SCREWED 

(GROSE). 


SOUL- CASE,  subs.  phr.  (GROSE).— 
The  body. 

SOUL-DRIVER,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
parson  (B.  E.). 

SOUND,  verb.  (GROSE  and  VAUX). 

— To  examine  ;    TO  TRY  (q.v. ) ; 

to    extract   information   artfully ; 

TO    PUMP    (q.V.}.      TO   SOUND  A 

CLY  =  to  '  try '  a  pocket. 

1597.  SHAKSPEARE.  Richard  III., 
iii.  i,  169.  Go,  gentle  Catesby,  And  as  it 
were,  far  off,  SOUND  thou  Lord  Hastings, 
How  he  doth  stand  affected  to  our  purpose. 
1626.  BACON,  Negotiating (1887).  It 
is  better  to  SOUND  a  person  with  whom 
one  deals,  afar  off,  than  to  fall  upon  the 
point  at  first,  except  you  mean  to  surprise 
him  by  some  short  question. 

1768.  GOLDSMITH,  Good  Natured 
Man,  ii.  I  have  SOUNDED  him  already  at 
a  distance,  and  find  all  his  answers  exactly 
to  our  wish. 

1885.  Ev.  Standard,  3  Oct.  His 
Holiness,  however,  on  being  SOUNDED  on 
the  subject,  by  the  Spanish  Ambassador  in 
Rome,  declined. 

SOUND  AS  A  ROACH  (TROUT, 
BELL,  &c.),phr.  (old).— Perfectly 
sound.  [Roche  =  rock]. 

1697.  VANBRUGH,  Provoked  Wife, 
iv.  6.  Lady  B.  I  hope  you  are  not 
wounded?  Sir  J.  SOUND  AS  A  ROACH, 
wife. 

See  GOOSE. 

SOUP,  subs,  (legal). — i.  A  brief  for 
the  defence  given  to  a  junior  in 
court  by  the  Clerk  of  the  Peace 
or  Arraigns. 

2.  (printers'). — Bad  ink. 

3.  (thieves').  —  Melted    plate  : 
also     WHITE     SOUP.       Whence 

SOUP-SHOP  =  A  FENCE  (q.V.)  ; 
melting-pots  are  kept  going,  no 
money  passing  from  fence  to  thief 
until  identification  is  impossible. 

IN  THE  SOUP,  adv.  phr.  (Ame- 
rican).— In  a  pickle,  or  difficulty; 
LEFT 


Souper. 


300 


Sow. 


SOUPER,  subs,  (common). — I.  A 
cadger  for  soup-tickets. 

2.  (thieves'). — A  SUPER  (g.v.). 

SOUR,  subs,  (thieves').  —  I.  Base 
silver  money.  To  PLANT  THE 
SOUR  =  to  'utter'  SNIDE  (q.v.) 
silver;  whence  SOUR-PLANTER. 
See  SHOVER. 

1883.  GREENWOOD,  Tag,  Rag,  and 
Co.  The  individual  mentioned  .  .  .  was 
a  smasher,  or  in  other  words,  a  dealer  in 
....  SOURS.  Ibid.,  34.  It  is  not  in 
paltry  pewter  SOURS  with  which  the  young 
woman  has  dealings,  but  in  dandys  which 
.  .  .  mean  imitation  gold  coin. 

2.  (American).  —  An  acid 
punch  :  thus  WHISKEY-SOUR  = 
whiskey  and  lemon. 

Adj.  (B.  E.).— '  Crabbed,  surly, 
ill-conditioned.' 

f  To  SOUR  ON,  verb.  phr.  (Ame- 
rican).— To  treat  unkindly. 

SOUR-ALE.  To  MEND  LIKE  SOUR- 
ALE  IN  SUMMER,  verb.  phr. 
(colloquial). — To  get  worse. 

SOUR-CUDGEL,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
severe  beating  ( WITHAL,  1608). 

SOUSE-CROWN,  subs.  phr.  (B.  E.). 
— A  fool :  see  BUFFLE. 

SOUTHERLY  BUSTER,  subs.  phr. 
(Australian).  —  A  sudden  gale 
from  the  southward  :  cf.  BRICK- 
FIELDER. 

1863.  F.  FOWLER  \_Athenceum,  21 
Feb.,  264,  i.]  The  brickfielder  is  the  cold 
wind  or  SOUTHERLY  BUSTER  which  .  .  . 
carries  a  thick  cloud  of  dust  across  the 
city. 

1878.  Australian,  i.  587.  SOUTH- 
ERLY BUSTERS  by  '  Ironbark' 
[Title]. 

1883.  Times,  27  Sep.,  9.  The  port  is 
exposed  to  sudden  gales  known  as  SOUTH- 
ERLY BUSTERS. 

1885.  FINCH-HATTON,  Advance  Aus- 
tralia. A  SOUTHERLY  BUSTER  Sweeps  Up 

from  the  ice-fields  of  the  Southern  Sea. 


1889.  ZILLMANN,  Australian  Life, 
40.  It  is  no  mere  pastime  to  be  caught  in 

a  SOUTHERLY  BUSTER. 

1893.  The  Australasian,  12  Aug., 
302,  i.  You  should  see  him  with  Commo- 
dore Jack  out  in  the  teeth  of  '  the  hard 
glad  weather,'  when  a  SOUTHERLY  BUSTER 
sweeps  up  the  harbour. 

1896.  H.  A.  HUNT,  Essay  on 
SO  UT HER  LEY  B  US  TERS  [Title]. 

SOUTH  JEOPARDY,  subs.  phr. 
(GROSE).  —  '  Terrors  of  insol- 
vency. Oxf.  Univ.  Cant.' 

Sov,  subs,  (common). — A  sovereign; 
2O/- :  see  RHINO. 

Sow,  subs,  (old).— I.  A  fat  woman; 
hence  (2)  =  a  general  term  of 
abuse :  cf.  BITCH.  SOW-CHILD 
=  a  girl  baby  (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  ; 
sow's  BABY  =  a  sucking  pig. 


1702.    WARD,  Works,  i. 
looks  .  .  .  like  a  sow  in  pett 


27.    She 
>ats. 


1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  '  Epithal. 
Petrus  ./Egidius. '  The  wife  [has  been  called] 
sow,  Fool,  Dirty  Drab. 

PHRASES  and  PROVERBS.    To 

GREASE  A  FAT  SOW  ON  THE  ARSE 

=  to  be  insensible  to  kindness ; 

TO  COME  SAILING  IN  A  SOW'S  EAR 

(RAY)  ;  TO  GET  THE  RIGHT  (or 
WRONG)  sow  BY  THE  EAR  =  to 
make  a  right  (or  wrong)  conclusion 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE)  ;  '  You  cannot 
make  a  silk-purse  of  a  sow's 
EAR  =  a  retort  on  the  impossible ' 
(RAY)  :  cf.  '  You  cannot  make  a 
horn  of  a  pig's  tail '  and  '  An  ass's 
tail  will  not  make  a  sieve.'  See 
DAVID'S  sow ;  HEMPSEED  ;  SAD- 
DLE; WILD  OATS. 

1596.  JONSON,  Ev.  Man  in  Humour, 
ii.  i.  He  has  THE  WRONG  sow  BY  THE 
EAR,  i'  faith ;  and  claps  his  dish  at  the 
wrong  man's  door. 

1605.  CHAPMAN  and  JONSON,  East- 
ward  Ho,  ii.  i.  You  HAVE  THE  sow  BY 

THE  RIGHT  EAR,   sir. 

1664.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  n.  iii.  580. 
You  have  a  WRONG  sow  BY  THE  EAR. 


Sow's-baby. 


301 


Spade. 


i.  WARD,  Marry  Observations, 
June.  Those  that  happen  to  HAVE  THK 
WRONG  sow  BY  THE  EAR  will  be  very  apt 
to  curse  the  shortness  of  the  Vacation. 

1771.  SMOLLETT,  Clinker  [SAINTS- 
BURY  (1900),  i.  81].  You  know,  my  dear 
friend,  how  natural  it  is  for  us  Irishmen  to 
blunder,  and  TO  TAKE  THE  WRONG  sow 

BY  THE  EAR. 

1834.  MARRYATT,  Peter  Simple,  xii. 
The  man  was  very  well,  but  having  been 
brought  up  in  a  collier,  he  could  not  be 
expected  to  be  very  refined  ;  in  fact  .  .  . 

'  it  was  IMPOSSIBLE  TO  MAKE  A  SILK-PURSE 
OUT  OF  A  SOW'S  EAR.' 

Sow's- BABY,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
Sixpence :  see  RHINO  and  cf. 

HOG  =  i/-. 

Sow- BELLY,  subs.  phr.  (military 
and  naval). — Salt-pork. 

Sow- DRUNK,  adj.  (common).  — 
Beastly  drunk:  see  DRUNK  AS 
DAVID'S-SOW. 

1857.  TENNYSON,  Northern  Cobbler. 
Soa  SOW-DROONK  that  tha  doesn  not  touch 
thy  'at  to  the  Squire. 

SOZZLE  (SOSSLE,  SOSS,  or  SOZZ), 
subs,  (colloquial). — Generic  for 
lumpishness.  Thus  (i)  =  a  lout  : 
also  SOSS-BELLY;  (2)  a  heavy 
fall ;  a  FLOP  DOWN  ;  (3)  a  muddle ; 
a  mess.  As  verb.  =  (i)  to  flop  ; 
(2)  to  toss  at  random ;  and  (3) 
to  slush  about.  As  adj.  (or  soss- 
BELLIED)  =  ponderously  fat ;  soss- 
BRANGLE  =  (i)  a  slattern,  and  (2) 
a  big  horse-godmotherly  whore ; 
SOSSLY  (or  SOZZLY)  =  wet,  sloppy : 
SOSSLED  =  drunk. 

1549.  BALE,  Diet,  of  Banner's  Arti- 
cles, 29.  Thou  SOS-BELY  swil-bol. 

1557.  TUSSER,  Husbandrie,  Ap.,  48, 
20.  Her  milke-pan  and  creame-pot  so 
slabbered  and  SOST. 

1566.  STILL,  Gammer  Gurton'i 
Needle,  v.  4.  [DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (HAZ- 
LITT),  iii.  183].  To  dig  and  delve,  in 
water,  mire,  and  clay,  SOSSING  and  possing 
in  the  dirt. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.  s.v.  A  great, 
unweldie,  long,  mishapen,  ill-favoured,  or 
ill-fashioned  man  or  woman ;  a  luske,  a 
slouche  ;  a  SOSSE. 


1710-11.  SWIFT,  Letter  to  Stella,  10 
Mar.  I  went  to-day  into  the  city,  but  in  a 
coach,  and  SOSSED  up  my  leg  on  the  seat. 
Ibid.  SOSSING  in  an  easy  chair. 

1767.  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy, 
HI.  xxiv.  She  fell  backward  soss  against 
the  bridge. 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  8.  She  sat 
down  and  SOZZLED  her  feet  in  the  foam. 

1873.  WHITNEY,  Other  Girls,  xiii. 
Folks  grow  helplesser  all  the  time,  and 
the  help  grows  SOZZLIER.  Ibid.,  Leslie 
Goldthwaite,  xii.  The  woman  .  .  .  had 
always  hated  .  .  .  anything  like  what  she 
called  a  SOZZLE  .  .  .  always  screwed-up 
and  sharp-set  to  hard  work. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  75.  She 
was  thick  in  the  clear,  Fairly  SOSSELLED 
on  beer. 

SPADE,  subs.  (old). — A  eunuch: 
also  SPADO  (q.v.).  Hence  zsverb. 
=  to  unsex. 

1612.  CHAPMAN,  Widow's  Tears,  v. 
5.  I'll  have  all  young  widows  SPADED  for 
marrying  again. 

TO  CALL  A  SPADE  A  SPADE, 
verb.  phr.  (old).  —  To  speak 
plainly ;  to  eschew  paraphrasis 
and  ambiguity. 

c.i  588.  Mar-Prelate's  Epitome,  2.  I 
am  plaine,  I  must  needs  CALL  A  SPADE  A 
SPADE,  a  pope  a  pope. 

1621.     BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  Pref. 

I    CALL    A    SPADE     A     SPADE  \      I     respect 

matter,  not  words. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works.  And  CALL  A 
SPADE  A  SPADEj  a  sicophant  A  flatt'ring 
knave.  Ibid.,  ii.  92.  I  think  it  good, 
plaine  English,  without  fraud,  To  CALL  A 
SPADE  A  SPADE,  a  bawd  a  bawd. 

1706.  WARD,  Hudibras  Redivivus. 
Hush,  says  my  friend,  mind  what  you  say 
.  .  .  We  must  not  CALL  A  SPADE  A  SPADE. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  'Philetymus 
and  Pseudochius. '  But  this  art  is  what 
we  dullards  call  theft,  who  CALL  a  fig  a 

fig,  and  A  SPADE  A  SPADE. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  147.  Don  Gonzales  .  .  .  could 
not  stomach  those  beauties  who  CALL  A 
SPADE  A  SPADE  .  .  .  ;  the  rites  of  Venus 
must  be  consummated  in  the  temple  of 
Vesta. 

U 


Spadge. 


302 


Spanish. 


1862.  THACKERAY,  Philip,  xxiii. 
Chesham  does  not  like  to  CALL  A  SPADE  A 
SPADE.  He  calls  it  a  horticultural  utensil. 

See  SHOVEL. 

SPADGE,  subs.  (Christ's  Hospital). 
— An  affected  walk.  Formerly 
merely  =  to  walk. 

SPADGER,  suds,  (provincial). — A 
sparrow. 

SPADO,  subs,  (old).— i.  A  sword : 
'that  is  (GROSE)  spadone.' 

1711.  CENTLIVRE,  Marplot,  i.  i.  By 
St.  Anthony  you  shall  feel  what  mettle  my 
SPADO  is  made  of. 

2.  (old). — An  eunuch.  Hence 
SPADONIC  =  eunuchistic  ;  and 
SPADONISM  =  eunuchry.  In  civil 
law  (modern)  =  an  impotent :  also 
(provincial)  =  a  gelding. 

SPAIN.  A  CASTLE  IN  SPAIN,  subs, 
phr.  (old). — A  day-dream  ;  idle 
fancies.  Thus  TO  BUILD  A 

CASTLE  IN  SPAIN  (IN  THE  AIR, 
THE  SKIES,  or  TO  BUILD  A 

CASTLE)  =  to  indulge  in  visionary 
projects  or  schemes  ;  to  romance. 
Fr.  ch&teau  en  Espagne,  en  Asie, 
en  Albanie,  &c.  See  AIR. 

£.1400.  Rom.  Rose,  2573.  Thou  shall 
make  CASTELS  thanne  IN  SPAYNE,  And 
dreme  of  joye,  alle  but  in  vayne. 

1475.  CAXTON,  Jason,  19.  He  began 
to  make  CASTELLIS  IN  SPAYGNE  as  louers 
doo. 

1586.  T.  B.,  La  PrimandFr.  Acad., 
ii.  182.  Some  .  .  .  have  their  wittes  a 
wool-gathering,  and  as  wee  use  commonly 
to  say,  are  building  of  CASTLES  IN  SPAINE. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Faire 
des  chasteaux  en  Espaigne,  TO  BUILD 

CASTLES  IN  THE  AIRE  (say  we). 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  (1812),  vn. 
x.  I  was  gradually  lulled  with  so  much 
wealth,  and  fell  asleep  in  the  very  act  of 
building  CASTLES  IN  SPAIN. 

1860.  MOTLEY,  Netherlands,  iv.  282. 
The  explosion  of  the  Gunpowder  Plot 
blowing  the  CASTLES  IN  SPAIN  into  the 
air. 


1871.  M.  COLLINS,  Marquis  and 
Merchant,  n.  vii.  203.  We  have  all  had 

OUr  CASTLES  IN  SPAIN. 

SPALPEEN,  subs.  (Irish).  —  A 
generic  term  of  contempt. 

1809-12.  EDGEWORTH,  Love  and 
Law,  i.  4.  The  SPALPEEN  !  turned  into  a 
buckeen  that  would  be  a  squireen,  but 
can't. 

^.1845.      HOOD,    Irish    Schoolmaster. 
How  many  pigs  be  born  to  each  SPALPEEN? 

1857.  KINGSLEY,  Two  Years  Ago, 
xix.  I've  brought  away  the  poor  SPAL- 
PEEN of  a  priest,  and  have  got  him  safe  in 
the  house. 

SPAN-  (SPANDY-,  or  SPANFIRE-) 
NEW.  See  SPICK-AND-SPAN. 

S RANGE,  adj.  andaofr.  (Royal Mili- 
tary Academy). — New  ;  dressy  ; 
SMART  (q.v.) :  e.g.  a  SPANGE  uni- 
form =  a  new  outfit ;  or  *  You  look 
SPANGE  enough.' 

SPANGLE,  subs,  (obsolete).  —A 
seven-shilling  piece  :  see  RHINO 
(GROSE  and  VAUX). 

SPANGLE-SHAKER  (or  -GUTS),  subs. 
phr.  (theatrical). — A  harlequin. 

SPANIEL,  subs,  (old).— A  parasite  : 
as  adj.  =  servile  :  as  verb.  —  to 
fawn,  to  be  obsequious. 

1601.  SHAKSPEARE,  Julius  C&sar, 
iii.  i,  43.  Low  crooked  court'sies,  and 

base  SPANIEL-FAWNING. 

1638.  FORD,  Fancies,  iii.  3.  He  un- 
happy man  !  whom  your  advancement 
Hath  ruin'd  by  being  SPANIEL  to  your 
fortunes,  Will  curse  he  train'd  me  hither. 

SPANISH.  SPANISH,  like  DUTCH 
(g.v.)t  IRISH  (q.v.),  &c.,  contri- 
butes to  colloquial  English. 
Thus  SPANISH  =  (i)  money,  spec, 
ready  money  :  in  America  silver 
only ;  and  (2)  '  fair  words  and 
compliments'  (B.  E.  and  GROSE); 
SPANISH  -  FAGOT  =  the  sun 
(GROSE)  ;  SPANISH  -  GOUT 


Spank. 


303 


Spanker. 


(NEEDLE,  or  POX)  =  syphilis  :  see 
FRENCH  -  GOUT  and  LADIES' - 
FEVER  ;  SPANISH-PADLOCK  =  'a 
kind  of  girdle  contrived  by  jealous 
husbands  of  that  nation  to  secure 
the  chastity  of  their  wives ' 
(GROSE);  SPANISH -PIKE  =  a 
needle  ;  SPANISH  -  PLAGUE  = 
building  (RAY)  ;  SPANISH-TRUM- 
PETER (or  KING  OF  SPAIN'S 
TRUMPETER,  i.e.,  DON  KEY)  =  a 
braying  ass  (GROSE) ;  TO  WALK 
SPANISH  =  to  be  seized  by  the 
scruff  and  the  seat,  and  thus 
forced  along  ;  hence,  to  act  under 
compulsion  ;  TO  RIDE  THE 
SPANISH  MARE  (nautical)  =  a 
punishment  in  which  the  offender 
was  set  astride  a  beam  with  the 
guys  loosed,  when  the  vessel  was 
in  a  sea-way. 
1656.  FORD,  Sun's  Darling,  ii.  i.  A 

French  gentleman,  that  trails  a  SPANISH 

PIKE  ;  a  tailor. 

1837.    BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.  Save 

its  synonyms  SPANISH,  blunt,  stumpy  and 

rowdy. 

SPANK,  subs,  (colloquial). — A 
sounding  thwack :  spec,  on  the 
buttocks  (GROSE)  :  also  SPANKER. 
As  verb.  =  to  strike.  Whence 
SPANKING  =  a  beating. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Honter, 
491.  But  Ajax  gave  him  two  such 
SPANKERS,  They  smarted  worse  than  nodes 
and  shankers. 

1857.  TENNYSON,  Northern  Cobbler. 
An'  'e  SPANKS  'is  'and  into  mine. 

1869.  L.  M.  ALCOTT,  Little  Women, 
xxxviii.  Meg  led  her  son  away,  feeling  a 
strong  desire  TO  SPANK  the  little  marplot. 

1883.  Century  Mag.,  xxxvii.  743. 
My  mother  lifted  me  cleverly,  planted  two 
SPANKS  behind,  and  passed  me  to  the 
hands  of  Madame. 

1885.  Queen,  28  Sept.  Suggested 
SPANKING  all  round  as  a  cure  for  the  evil. 

Verb.  (old).  —  i.  'To  run 
neatly  along  between  a  trot  and  a 
gallop '  (GROSE),  to  move  quickly 
and  briskly  :  usually  with  '  along.' 


SPANKING,  adj.  —  (i)  big,  jolly, 
sprightly  :  as  a  SPANKING  lass 
(BAILEY)  ;  (2)  large,  big  (BAILEY 
and  GROSE),  STUNNING  (g.v.), 
WHOPPING  (jj.v.}  ;  and  (3)  dash- 
ing, free-going.  Hence  SPANKER 
=  any  thing  of  exceptional  size, 
pace,  figure,  or  merit :  cf.  SKELP, 
'  He's  a  SPANKER  to  go.' 
SPANKY  =  showy,  SMART  (g.v.). 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Pereg.  Pickle, 
Ixxxvii.  His  desire  being  titillated  by  the 
contact  of  a  buxom  wench  ...  he  ... 
suddenly  broke  out  .  .  .  '  'Sblood,  I  be- 
lieve master  thinks  I  have  no  more  stuff  in 
my  body  than  a  dried  haddock,  to  turn  me 
adrift  in  the  dark  with  such  a  SPANKER." 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
501.  So  spread  a  table  .  .  .  Whereon  she 
placed  a  SPANKING  dish. 

1790.     DIBDIN,  Sea  Songs,  ' 

I've  a  SPANKING  wife  at  Portsmouth  gate, 
A  pigmy  at  Goree. 

1802.  COLMAN,  Poor  Gentleman,  iv. 
2.  There  are  four  SPANKING  greys  ready 
harnessed  .  .  .  that  shall  whisk  us  to 
town  in  a  minute. 

1840.  THACKERAY,  Shabby  Genteel 
Story,  v.  How  knowingly  did  he  SPANK 
the  horses  ALONG.  Ibid.  (1860),  Lovel  the 
Widower.  Here  a  Gentleman  in  a  natty 
gig,  with  a  high  trotting  horse,  came 
SPANKING  towards  us  over  the  common. 

1885.  CasselFs  Sat.  Jo.,  19  Sep.,  802. 
We  SPANKED  ALONG,  rapidly  accelerating 
our  pace. 

2.  (thieves').  —  To  break,  to 
smash  :  e.g.>  TO  SPANK  THE 
GLAZE  (see  quot.  1785)  ;  also  ON 

THE  SPANK. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SPANK  is,  to  break  a  pane  in  a  shop 
window  and  to  snatch  some  article,  having 
tied  the  shop  door  to  prevent  pursuit 
(Abridged). 

SPANKER,  subs.  (old). — i.  In//.  = 
money  :  generic  :  spec,  gold 
(GROSE). 

2.  (nautical). — A  fore-and-aft 
gaff  sail  on  the  mizzen  mast  of  a 
ship  or  barque  (CLARK  RUSSELL). 
Hence  SPANKING  =  sailing  swiftly 
along  with  the  wind  so  quartered 
as  to  keep  the  SPANKERS  full. 


Spark. 


304 


Spark. 


See  SPANK. 

SPARK,  subs,  (old).— I.  A  dandy  : 
masc.  or  fern.  :  also  SPARKLE  ;  (2) 
a  lover,  and  spec.  (American)  a 
sweetheart ;  and  (3)  a  man  or 
woman  of  pluck  and  parts.  As 
verb.  =  to  court,  to  gallant,  <?.£., 
to  SPARK  a  girl,  or  to  SPARK  a 
girl  home.  SPARKISH  =  (l) 
spirited  :  also  SPARKFUL  and 
SPARKY  ;  and  (2)=  showy,  dandi- 
fied, gay  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

1362.  LANGLAND,  Piers  Plowman 
[SKEAT],  C.  xxi.  12.  SPRAKLICHE  he 
lokede. 

[?].  Robin  Hood  [CHILD,  Ballads, 
v.  358].  Robbin  Hood  upon  him  set  With 
his  couragious  SPARKES. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  i.  i.  Thy 
son's  a  gallant  SPARK,  and  must  not  be  put 
out  of  a  sudden. 

1605.  CAMDEN,  Remains,  '  Lan- 
guages.' Hitherto  will  our  SPARKEFULL 
youth  laugh  at  their  great  grandfather's 
English. 

1612.  CHAPMAN,  Widow's  Tears,  i. 
I  will  wed  thee  To  my  great  widdowes 
daughter  and  sole  heire,  The  lovely 
SPARKE,  the  bright  Laodice. 

1632.  MASSINGER  [?],  City  Madam, 
iv.    2.      Shew  yourself  city-SPARKS,    and 
hang  up  money. 

1633.  M  A  R  M  i  o  N,    Antiquary,    i. 
What  pretty  SPARKLE  of  humanity  have 
we  here? 

^.1643.  CARTWRIGHT,  Ordinary,  iii.  5. 
Save  you,  boon  SPARKS!  Will't  please 
you  to  admit  me. 

[  1  ].  BISHOP,  Marrow  of  Astrology, 
55.  When  Venus  is  ill-placed  she  inclines 
men  to  be  ...  lustful,  followers  of 
wenches  ...  a  fantastic  SPARK  .  .  . 
coveting  unlawful  beds  .  .  .  ;  if  a  woman, 
very  impudent  in  all  her  ways. 

1654.  WEBSTER,  Appius  and  Vir- 
ginia [DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (HAZLITT), 
iv.  112].  But  stay:  behold  the  peerless 
SPARKS,  whereof  my  tongue  did  talk. 

1662.  PEPVS,  Diary,  7  Sep.  Here  I 
also  saw  Madame  Castlemaine,  and  .  .  . 
the  King's  bastard,  a  most  pretty  SPARKE. 

1675.  WYCHERLEY,  Country  Wife, 
iv.  2.  I  have  been  detained  by  a  SPARKISH 
coxcomb. 


1687.  BROWN,  Works,  i.  94,  '  The 
Saints  in  an  Uproar.'  Those  old-fashioned 
SPARKS  yonder. 

1692.  LESTRANGE,  dEsop  [Century], 
A  daw,  to  be  SPARKISH,  trick'd  himself  up 
with  all  the  gay  feathers  he  could  muster. 

1693.  DRYDEN,  Love  Triumph,  Prol. 
24.      No    double    entendres,    which    you 
SPARKS  allow,  To  make  the  ladies  look — 
they  know  not  how. 

1709.  WARD,  Works,  i.  v.  6.  Some 
Associate  who  .  .  .  will  very  readily 
swear  she  is  both  a  Whore  and  a  Pick- 
pocket, which  terrible  Accusation  soon 
frights  away  her  SPARK.  Ibid.  (1711),  Don 
Quixote,  10.  The  gay  Damsel  that  is 
taught,  By  some  loose  SPARK  to  know 
what's  what. 

1749.  FIELDING,  Hist.  Foundling, 
viii.  ii.  I'd  rather  have  the  soldiers  than 
officers  ;  for  nothing  is  ever  good  enough 
for  those  SPARKS. 

1773.  GOLDSMITH,  She  Stoops,  &>c., 
iii.  Fly  to  your  SPARK  ;  he'll  tell  you 
more  of  the  matter. 

1777.  SHERIDAN,  School  f«r  Scandal, 
\.  2.  Their  worthy  father  .  .  .  was  .  .  . 
nearly  as  wild  a  SPARK. 

1801.  DIBDIN,  //  Bondocani,  iii.  3. 
None  of  your  wishy-washy  SPARKS  that 
mince  their  steps. 

1820.  IRVING,  Sketch  Book,  432.  A 
sure  sign  that  his  master  was  courting,  or 
as  it  is  termed  SPARKING. 

1832.  L  o  N  G  s  T  R  E  E  T,  Southern 
Sketches,  120.  Some  think  I  ought  to  get 
married,  and  two  or  three  have  tried  TO 
SPARK  IT  with  me. 

1 840.  BAR  HAM  ,  Ingoldsby  Leg . ,  '  St. 
Gengulphus.'  A  spruce  young  SPARK  of  a 
Learned  Clerk  Had  called  on  his  Lady, 
and  stopped  to  tea. 

1844.  THACKERAY,  Barry  Lyndon, 
i.  The  company  of  ...  two  or  three 
other  young  SPARKS  of  the  town. 

1846.  KIRKLAND,  West.  Clearings, 
16.  That  was  the  way  young  men  cast 
sheep's  eyes  when  they  went  a  SPARKING. 

1888.  EGGLESTON,  Graysons,  xxxiii. 
The  boys  that  do  a  good  deal  of  SPARKING, 
and  the  girls  that  have  a  lot  of  beaux  don't 
always  get  married  first. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  48.  He 
found  her  at  supper  with  some  other 
SPARKS. 


Sparkler. 


305 


Spat. 


2.     (thieves'). — A    diamond: 

also  SPARKLE.      A  SPARK-PROP  = 

a  diamond  breast-pin. 

1879.  HORSLEY,  Auto,  of  Thief 
[Macmillan  Mag.,  xl.  506].  Pipe  his 
SPARK  PROP. 

Verb.    (Australian   thieves'). — 
To  watch  closely. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  113, 
All  you've  got  to  do  is  to  be  sure  o'  your 
John,  an'  learn  the  time  'e  comes  round, 
SPARK  him  well  away  and  do  yer  little  does 
in  the  blooming  hinterval. 

A     SPARK     IN     THE    THROAT, 

subs.  phr.  (old). — Chronic  thirst 

(GROSE). 

SPARKLER,  subs.  —  Anybody  or 
anything  brilliant,  gay,  or  lively : 
see  SPARK. 

1713.  ADDISON,  Guardian,  No.  120. 
What  would  you  say,  should  you  see  a 
SPARKLER  shaking  her  elbow  for  a  whole 
night  together. 

1879.  H.  W.  WARREN,  Astronomy, 
113.  [Mercury]  keeps  so  near  the  sun  .  .  . 
that  very  few  people  have  ever  seen  the 
brilliant  SPARKLER. 

SPARROW.  MUMBLING  A  SPAR- 
ROW, phr.  (old). — See  quot. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SPARROW.  A  cruel  sport  practised  at 
wakes  and  fairs  :  a  booby,  hands  tied  be- 
hind, has  the  wing  of  a  cock-sparrow  put 
into  his  mouth  ;  without  any  other  assis- 
tance than  the  motion  of  his  lips  he  is  to 
get  the  sparrow's  head  into  his  mouth  ;  the 
bird  defends  itself  surprisingly,  pecking 
the  mumbler  till  his  lips  are  covered  with 
blood  and  he  is  obliged  to  desist ;  to  pre- 
vent the  bird  getting  away  he  is  fastened 
to  the  booby's  coat. — [Abridged.] 

SPARROW-CATCHING,  subs.  phr. 
(venery). — Walking  the  streets  ; 
doing  a  FLUTTER  (q.v.). 

SPARROWGRASS  (or  SPARAGRAS), 

subs,  (old  colloquial). — Asparagus: 
polite  in  the  i8th  Century ;  now 
vulgar. 

1649.  BLYTHE,  Eng.  Improver  Impr. 
(1652),  237.  [The  Hop  plant]  comes  up 
with  several  sprouts  like  SPARROWGRASS. 


1667.  PEPYS,  Diary  (1879),  IV-  3°7- 
Brought  with  me  from  Fenchurch  Street, 
a  hundred  of  SPARROWGRASS. 

1706.  PHILLIPS,  Diet.,  s.v.  ASPARA- 
GUS, a  Plant  call'd  SPARROW-GRASS  by 
the  Common  People. 

1711.  GREENWOOD,  Eng.  Gram.,  190. 
Sperage,  which  the  vulgar  wrest  to  SPARO- 

GRASS,   Or  SPARROWGRASS. 

1763.  FOOTE,  Mayor  of  Garratt,  ii. 
i.  I  should  recommend  the  opening  of  a 
new  branch  of  trade,  SPARAGRASS,  gentle- 
men. 

1801.  SOUTHEY  [C.  SOUTHEY,  Life, 
n.  134].  SPARAGRASS  (it  ought  to  be  spelt 
so)  and  artichokes,  good  with  plain  butter. 

SPARROW-MOUTH,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— '  One  whose  mouth  cannot  be 
enlarged  without  removing  the 
ears ' ;  as  adj.  —  wide-mouthed  : 
*  such  persons  do  not  hold  their 
mouths  by  lease  but  have  it  from 
(y)ear  to  (y)ear'  (GROSE). 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  III. 
n.  v.  3.  She  ...  if  she  do  but  laugh  or 
smile,  makes  an  ugly  SPARROW-MOUTHED 
face. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus  (1877),  31. 
Can  you  fancy  that  black-a-top,  snub- 
nosed,  SPARROW-MOUTH,  paunch-bellied 
creature  ? 

SPARROW-TAIL,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  dress-coat  ;  a  SWAL- 
LOW-TAIL, CLAWHAMMER  (q.V.). 

1888.  EGGLESTON,  Graysons,  xxvi. 
The  lawyers  in  their  blue  SPARROW-TAIL 
coats,  with  brass  buttons,  which  constituted 
then  [^.1840]  a  kind  of  professional  uniform. 

SPAT,  subs.  (American).  —  i.  A 
slap  ;  a  light  blow  ;  and  (2)  =  a 
petty  quarrel ;  a  snarling-match. 
Also  as  verb.  =  (i)  to  slap ;  and 
(2)  to  dispute,  to  quarrel.  [WEB- 
STER :  '  A  low  word.'] 

1869.  STOWE,  Old  Town  Folks,  33. 
They  was  pretty  apt  to  have  SPATS. 

1870.  JUDD,   Margaret.     The  little 
Isabel  leaped  up  and  down  SPATTING  her 
hands. 

1887.  AMER.  CORRESPONDENT,  Notes 
and  Queries,  12  Mar.,  206.  A  SPAT  be- 
tween the  feminine  heads  of  two  families. 


Snatch-cock. 


306 


Spec. 


SPATCH-COCK,  subs.  phr.  (GROSE). 
— i.  'A  fowl  killed,  dressed,  and 
broiled  at  short  notice' ;  SUDDEN 
DEATH  (West  Indies). 

2.  (military).  —  To  insert 
hurriedly;  to  SANDWICH  (g.v.). 

1901.  SIR  R.  BULLER,  Speech\Times, 
ii  Oct.,  10, 2].  I  therefore  SPATCHCOCKED 
into  the  middle  of  that  telegram  a  sentence 
in  which  I  suggested  it  would  be  necessary 
to  surrender. 

SPEAK,  verb,  (old  thieves'). — To 
steal :  also  TO  SPEAK  WITH  :  see 
PRIG.  To  MAKE  A  GOOD  (or 
RUM)  SPEAK  =  to  make  a  good  (or 
bad)  haul  ;  SPOKEN  TO  =  robbed  : 
also  SPOKE  TO  ON  THE  SCREW, 
CRACK,  SNEAK,  HOIST,  BIG,  &C. 

(see  the  nouns).  —  GROSE  and 
VAUX. 

PHRASES.--SPOKEN  TO  (thieves') 
=  dying  (VAUX)  ;  TO  SPEAK  TO 
(colloquial)  =  to  admonish  ;  TO 

SPEAK  AT  THE  MOUTH  =  to  talk 

freely ;  to  say  one's  say ;  TO  SPEAK 
DAGGERS  (see  DAGGER);  'Ale 
that  would  make  a  cat  SPEAK  '  = 
strong  ale  ;  '  SPEAKS  the  parrot ' 
=a  taunting  reply  :cf.  SKELTON, 
Speke  Parrot ;  TO  SPEAK  (or 
TALK)  BIG  =  to  boast,  to  talk 
loudly  ;  TO  SPEAK  FAIR  =  to  use 
soft  words. 

1581.  J.  BELL,  H addon's  Answ. 
Osor.,  36o&  They  .  .  .  fashion  theyr 
voyces  BIGGE  like  olde  men. 

1591.  LYLY,  Endimion,  v.  3.  Cynth. 
SPEAKES  THE  PARROT?  ...  cut  off  her 
tongue,  nay,  her  head. 

1591.  SPENSER,  VirgiFs  Gnat.,  ii. 
This  Muse  shall  SPEAK  IN  BIGGER  notes. 

1656.  DUGARD,  Gate  Lat.  Unl.,  701. 
The  voice  of  striplings  before  they  begin 

tO  SPEAK  BIGG. 

1709.  Colonial  Records,  Penn.,  n. 
501.  It  was  necessary  to  TALK  BIGG. 

1872.    INGELOW,  Off  the  Skelligs,  xix. 

Papa   .   .   .  will  you  SPEAK  TO  Giles? 

.  .  .  If  this  sort  of  thing  is  allowed  to  go  on 

...  it  will  perfectly  ruin  the  indep«ndance 

of  my  character.' 


SPEARMEN.  THE  DELHI  SPEAR- 
MEN, subs.  phr.  (military). — The 
Qth  Lancers. 

SPEC,  subs,  (common). — I.  Specu- 
lation (BEE).  Hence  ON  SPEC  = 
on  chance  ;  on  the  hazard  of  the 
die. 

1834.  SOUTHEY,  Doctor,  clxxiii.  He 
had  engaged  in  this  adventure  (by  which 
better  word  our  forefathers  designated 
what  the  Americans  call  a  SPEC)  with  the 
hope  of  increasing  his  fortune. 

1837.  DICKENS,  Pickwick,  xxxiy. 
They  said  what  a  wery  gen'rous  thing  it 
was  o'  them  to  have  taken  up  the  case  ON 
SPEC,  and  to  charge  nothing  at  all  for  costs 
unless  they  got  'em  out  of  Mr.  Pickwick. 

1837.  KINGSLEY,  Two  Years  Ago 
xxv.  If  tradesmen  will  run  up  houses  ON 
SPEC  in  a  water  meadow  who  can  stop 
them. 

1873.  GREENWOOD,  Strange  Com- 
pany. Hundreds  .  .  .  had  heard  [it  was] 
the  best  SPEC  out. 


2.  (common).— In   pi. 
tacles. 


spec- 


1837.  B  ARM  AM,      Ingoldsby     Leg., 
'  Knight  and  Lady.'    He  wore  green  SPECS 
with  a  tortoise-shell  rim. 

1838.  NEAL,  Charcoal 'Sketches.   My 
ma*  was  used  to  put  on  her  SPECS. 

3.  (racing). — See  quot. 

1869.  GREENWOOD,  Seven  Curses. 
Throughout  lower  London,  and  the  shady 
portion  of  its  suburbs,  the  window  of  almost 
every  public-house  and  beershop  was 
spotted  with  some  notice  of  these  SPECS 
.  .  .  They  all  meant  ...  a  lottery,  con- 
ducted on  principles  more  or  less  honest, 
the  prize  to  be  awarded  according  to  the 
performances  of  certain  horses. 

4.  (Winchester  College). — Any- 
thing enjoyable  or  pleasant ;    a 
good  thing.     ON  SPEC  =  in  conse- 
quence. 

1891.  WRENCH,  Winchester  Word 
Book,  s.v.  SPEC.  What  a  SPEC  I  My 
pitch-up  have  turned  up,  and  I've  got  leave 
out  ON  SPEC. 

5.  (Edinburgh    Advocates'). — 
The  Speculative  Society. 


Special. 


307 


Spell. 


SPECIAL,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  para- 
mour, male  or  female :  cf.  PAR- 
TICULAR. 

c.1350.  Tale  of  the  Basyn  [HAZLITT, 
Early  Pop.  Poet.,  iii.  52],  xxii.  The 
wenche  was  his  SPECIALL. 

1440.  Prompt.  Parv.,4.6B.  SPECYAL, 
concubyne,  the  womann  (SPBCIALL  or 
leman).  Concubina. 

[  ?  ].  Lytell  Geste  of  Robin  Hode 
[CHILDE,  Ballads,  v.  123],  Syr  Roger  of 
Donkester  That  was  her  owne  SPECIALL. 

2.  (colloquial). — By  ellipsis  a 
particular  person  or  thing :  e.g. , 
a  SPECIAL  train,  SPECIAL  Scotch, 
a  SPECIAL  constable,  a  SPECIAL 
edition,  &c. 

1890.  Lancet,  u.  796.  What  are 
known  as  SPECIALS  are  being  held  this 
week.  These  are  for  men  who  partially 
failed  at  the  last  regular  examinations. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomts,  16.  But 
Rosette  for  a  potman's  regard  didn't  care  ; 
She  preferred  her  swell  SPECIALS. 

SPECK,  subs,  (costers'). — In  pi.  = 
damaged  oranges. 

SPECKLEBELLY,  subs,  (provincial). 
— A  dissenter.  [HoTTEN  :  *  Used 
in  Worcester  and  the  North.'] 

SPEECH,  subs,  (racing). — Informa- 
tion :  spec,  a  TIP  (q.v.}  :  e.g.,  TO 
GIVE  (or  GET)  THE  SPEECH.  Fr. 
tuyau. 

SPEECHER,  subs.  (Harrow).  —  i. 
Speech  -  day  :  usually  the  first 
Thursday  in  July.  THE  SPEECHER 
=  The  Speech-room  :  built  1871. 

SPEEDYMAN,  subs.  (Winchester: 
obsolete). — The  herald  of  news 
of  a  vacancy  at  New  College, 
Oxford.  Whence  SPED  TO  NEW 
COLLEGE  =  elected  to  a  scholar- 
ship. 

SPEEL,  verb,  (common). — To  de- 
camp :  see  ABSQUATULATE.  To 
SPEEL  THE  DRUM  =  to  make  off 
to  the  highway. 


SPEELER,  subs.  (American).  —  A 
gambler.  Also  SPEEL  (see  quot.  ). 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  151. 
We  bet  our  money.  They  bet  all  they  had, 
including  a  roll  of  bogus  bills,  called 
SPIELS,  used  for  that  kind  of  work  [railway 
sharping],  and  pocketed  all  the  money. 

SPEQ,  adj.  (Winchester  :  obsolete). 
—  Smart. 

SPELL,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  i.  A 
turn  of  work  [BAILEY  :  '  A  sea 
term'].  Hence  2.  (spec.  Aus- 
ralian)  a  turn  of  rest.  Also  (3)  a 
period  of  love,  weather,  adven- 
ture, sickness,  luck,  temper,  and 
so  forth  (see  quot.  1869).  As 
verb.  =  (i)  to  relieve  ;  and  (2)  = 
to  rest. 

C.IS86.  HAKLUYT,  Voyages  [ARBER, 
Eng.  Garner,  5,  514].  [OLIPHANT,  New 
Eng.,  ii.  6.  Men  work  by  SPELLS  .  .  . 
there  was  an  old  English  spelung  (turn, 
change)]. 

1602.  CAREW,  Survey  of  Cornwall, 
fol.  ii.  Their  toyl  is  so  extreame  as  they 
cannot  endure  it  above  foure  houres  in  a 
day,  but  are  succeeded  by  SPELS. 


1706.  VJKKO,  Wooden  World,^.  He 
.  .  .  believes  there  is  no  more  Sin  in  taking 
a  SPELL  with  a  Whore,  than  in  pumping  a 
leaky  Vessel. 

1775.  WASHINGTON,  Letter  '  To  J. 
Reed,'  25  Dec.  Nothing  new  has  hap- 
pened .  .  .  except  the  setting  in  of  a 
severe  SPELL  of  cold  weather,  and  a  con- 
siderable fall  of  snow. 

1823.  Jamaica  Planters'  Guide,  340. 
Sometimes  there  are  two  ostensible  boilers 
TO  SPELL  and  relieve  one  another.  When 
one  is  obliged  to  be  SPELLED  for  the  pur- 
pose of  natural  rest,  he  should  leave  his  in- 
junctions to  a  judicious  negro. 

1829.  B.  HALL,  Travels  in  ff.  A.,  i. 
1  88.  A  poor  old  negro  .  .  .  offered  to 
give  me  a  SPELL  when  I  became  tired. 

1835.  CROCKETT,  Tour  Down  East, 
90.  He  had  come  home  from  the  South, 
where  he  had  been  peddling  a  SPELL. 

1846.  J.  L.  STOKES,  Disc,  in  Aus- 
tralia, u.  42.  In  order  to  SPELL  the 
oars,  we  landed  at  a  point  on  the  east  side. 

1856.  KANE,  Arctic  Expl.,  i.  182. 
A  gentle,  misty  air  ...  makes  me  hope 
that  we  are  going  to  have  a  warm  SPELL. 


Spell-binder. 


308 


Spess. 


1865.  Major  Downing  s  Letters,  35. 
Public  affairs  go  on  easier  than  they  did  a 
SPELL  ago. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  171.  When 
Hepsy  does  get  beat  out  she  has  SPELLS, 
and  she  goes  on  awful,  and  they  last  day 
arter  day. 

1873.  TROLLOPE,  Australia  and 
New  Zealand,  i.  84.  Having  a  SPELL — 
what  we  should  call  a  short  holiday. 

1877.  R.  W.  DIXON,  Hist.  Ch.  Eng., 
xix.  After  a  grievous  SPELL  of  eighteen 
months  on  board  the  French  galleys. 

1880.  G.  N.  OAKEY,  Victoria  in 
1880,  114.  He  SPELLED  upon  the  ground  ; 
a  hollow  Gum  Bore  up  his  ample  back,  and 
bade  him  rest. 

1887.  C.  C.  WARNER,  Pilgrimage, 
145.  No,  I  hain't  got  a  girl  now.  I  had 
one  a  SPELL,  but  I'd  rather  do  my  own 
work. 

1887.  HOWELLS,  Annie  Kilburn,  xvi. 
Don't  you  want  I  should  SPELL  you  a  little 
while,  Miss  Kilburn  ? 

1890.  BOLDREWOOD,  Colonial  Re- 
former, xxiv.  328.  There's  a  hundred  and 
fifty  stock-horses  there,  SPELLING  for  next 
winter's  work. 

1896.  BALD.  SPENCER,  Horne  Exp., 
48.  Beside  a  water-pool  ...  we  SPELLED 
for  a  day. 

Verb,  (thieves').  —  To  adver- 
tise :  SPELT  IN  THE  LEAR  = 
WANTED  (q.V.). 

To  SPELL  FOR  (or  AT),  verb, 
phr.  (colloquial).— To  desire  ;  to 
hanker  after :  indirectly. 

1821.  COOMBE,  Syntax,  in.  iv.  Syn- 
tax with  native  keenness  felt  At  what  the 
cunning  tradesman  SPELT. 

See  BAKER  ;  BACKWARD  : 
SPELLKEN. 

SPELL- BINDER,  subs.  phr.  (Ameri- 
can).—A  speaker  who  holds  (or 
thinks  he  holds)  his  hearers 
'  spell-bound.' 

SPELL-KEN  (SPELL  or  SPEELKEN), 
subs.  phr.  (old). —  A  theatre 
(GROSE  and  VAUX). 


£.1800.  JACKSON  [quoted  by  BYRON  in 
notes  to  Don  Juan,  xi.  19].  If  you  at  the 
SPELLKEN  can't  hustle,  You'll  be  hobbled 
in  making  a  Clout. 

1819.  VAUX,  Memoirs,  s.v.  Push 
.  .  .  When  any  particular  scene  of  crowd- 
ing is  alluded  to,  they  say,  the  push  .  .  . 
at  the  SPELL  doors ;  the  push  at  the 
stooping-match. 

1823.  BYRON,  Don  Juan,  xi.  19. 
Who  in  a  row  like  Tom  could  lead  the  van, 
Booze  in  the  Ken,  or  at  the  SPELLKEN 
hustle  ? 

SPEND.  To  SPEND  THE  MOUTH, 
verb.  phr.  (old). — To  give  voice; 
to  talk  ;  and  (of  dogs)  to  bark. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Venus  and 
Adonis,  695.  Then  do  they  SPEND  THEIR 
MOUTHS. 

SPEND-ALL,  subs.  phr.  (old).— A 
prodigal ;  a  spendthrift. 

1591.  LYLY,  Man  in  the  Moone.  Thy 
wife  shall  be  enamoured  of  some  SPEND- 
ALL,  which  shall  wast  all  as  licentiously  as 
thou  hast  heaped  together  laboriously. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Allarga  la  mano,  a  SPEND  ALL,  a 
wast-good. 

SPEN DINGS,  subs.  phr.  (venery). — 
Semen;  CREAM  (q.v.\  Hence 
TO  SPEND  =  to  ejaculate. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  Alts  Well,  ii.  3, 
296.  He  wears  his  honour  in  a  box  unseen, 
That  hugs  his  kicky-wicky  here  at  home, 
SPENDING  his  manly  marrow  in  her  arms. 

aT.i68o.  ROCHESTER,  Works  (1718), 
'The  Debauchee,'  143.  I  SPEND  in  her 
hand  and  spue  in  her  lap.  Ibid.,  'A 
Ramble,  &c. ,  82.  A  passive  pot  for  fools 
to  SPEND  in.  Ibid.,  'The  Disappoint- 
ment. May'st  thou  ne'er  piss  that  did'st 
refuse  to  SPEND. 

1772.      BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 

196.     With  such  a  tool  I  thought  he'd  split 

her  ...  she    held    it  fast,   and  made    it 

stand,  And  SPEND  its  venom  in  her  hand. 

d.  1892.    WHITMAN,  Children  of  Adam. 

My  lOVe-SPENDINGS. 

SPESS,  subs.  (Felsted  School).— See 
quot. 

1899.  Felstedian,  July,  66.  Others 
.  .  .  calling  out  .  .  .  '  frightful  SPESSES,' 
which  word  is  'specimens.' 


Spew. 


309 


Spicy. 


SPEW,  verb,  (venery). — To  ejacu- 
late; TO  SPEND  (g.v.).  Whence 
SPEW  ALLEY  =  the  female  pu- 
dendum :  see  MONOSYLLABLE. 

^.1680.  ROCHESTER,  Works,  'Tun- 
bridge  Wells'  (1718),  i.  29.  Importance, 
thinks  too,  tho'  she'd  been  no  sinner  To 
wash  away  some  dregs  he  had  SPEWED  in 
her. 

To  SPEW  OAKUM,  verb.  phr. 
(nautical). — A  ship  spews  oakum 
when  the  seams  start. 

SPEW  ALLEY,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
— The  throat :  see  GUTTER  LANE. 

SPHERE,  subs,  (athletic). — A  foot- 
ball. 

SPICE,  verb,  (thieves').— To  rob: 
hence,  THE  SPICE  (or  HIGH  TOBY 
SPICE) = highway  robbery;  SPICER 
(or  SPICE-GLOAK)  =  a  footpad 
(GROSE  and  VAUX). 

c.i  800.  JACKSON  [quoted  by  BYRON  in 
Don  Juan,  Notes  to  Canto  xi.].  On  the 
HIGH  TOBY  SPICE  flash  the  muzzle. 

SPICE-ISLAND,  subs. phr.  (old).— I. 
The  rectum  ;  and  (2)  =  a  privy ; 
STINK-HOLE  BAY  ;  BILBERRY 
CREEK  (GROSE).  Whence  (3) 
=  any  filthy,  stinking  neighbour- 
hood (BEE). 

SPICK-AND-SPAN  NEW,  adj.  (collo- 
quial). —  Quite  fresh  ;  brand 
new  :  as  a  'spike  and  chip'  from 
the  workman's  hands.  Also 

SPICK  -  AND  -  SPAN  ;     SPICK  -  SPAN 

NEW  ;  SPAN-NEW  ;  and  SPAN- 
FIRE  NEW.  Also  SPICK-AND- 
SPAN  (SPAN,  or  SPANDY),  adv.  — 
quite ;  wholly. 

1369.  CHAUCER,  Troilus,  iii.  1665. 
This  tale  ay  was  SPAN-NEWE  to  beginne. 

1614.  TOMKIS,  Albumazar  [Doos- 
LEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  vii.  161].  Of  a 
stark  clown  I  shall  appear  SPECK  AND 
SPAN  gentleman. 

1614.  JONSON,  Barthol.  Fayre,  iii.  5. 
Sir,  this  is  a  spell  against  them,  SPICK  AND 

SPAN   NEW. 


1619.  FLETCHER,  False  One,  iii.  2. 
Am  I  not  totally  a  SPAN-NEW  gallant,  Fit 
for  the  choicest  eye? 

1628.  FORD,  Lover's  Melancholy,  ii. 
i.  "Tis  a  fashion  of  the  newest  edition, 
SPICK  AND  SPAN  NEW,  without  example. 

£.1630.  HOWELL,  Letters,  i.  iv.  2. 
Blackfriars  will  entertain  you  with  a  Play 
SPICK  AND  SPAN  NEW,  and  the  Cockpit 
with  another. 

1663.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  i.  iii.  398. 
The  honour  thou  hast  got  Is  SPICK  AND 
SPAN  NEW,  piping  hot. 

1718.  BUCKINGHAM,  Rehearsal. 
Why  madam,  an  intire  SPICK  AND  SPAN 
NEW  piece  of  doctrine  of  my  own  inven- 
tion. 

^.1779.  GARRICK  [W.  COOKE,  Memoirs 
of  S.  Foote,  i.  107.  From  our  poetic 
storehouse  we  produce  A  couple  SPICK  AND 
SPAN  for  present  use. 

1824.  SCOTT,  Redgauntlet,  xi.  In 
the  same  doings  to  make  a  SPICK-AND- 
SPAN  new  world. 

1857.  TENNYSON,  Northtrn  Cobbler. 
Look  at  the  cloaths  on  'er  back,  thebbe 
ammost  SPICK-SPAN-NEW. 

1877.  TROLLOPE,  South  Africa,  11. 
vi.  The  Dutch  Boer  will  not  endure  over 
him  ...  a  SPICK-AND-SPAN  Dutch  Afri- 
cander from  the  Cape  Colony. 

1884.  JAMES,  Little  Tour,  178. 
Beside  my  hotel  rose  a  big  SPICK-AND 
SPAN  church. 

1887.  Referee,  27  Feb.     The  SPICK- 
AND-SPAN  appearance  presented  by  Marlow 
after  their  journey. 

1888.  L.     M.     ALCOT,     Hospital 
Sketches,    319.      Thirty    gentlemen    with 
SPANDY  clean  faces  and  hands  were  par- 
taking of  refreshment. 

SPICY,  adj.  (common). — i.  Racy  ; 

FULL-FLAVOURED  (q.V.) ;  SMUTTY 
(q.  v. ) ;  NUTTY  (q.  v. ).  2.  =  showy, 
handsome,  SMART  {q.v.}. 

1844.  Puck,  14.  The  milliners'  hearts 
he  did  trepan,  My  SPICY,  swell  small- 
college  man. 

j868.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  White 
Rose,  i.  xiii.  Bless'd  if  there  isn't  Snipe 
.  .  .  there's  a  drummer  holding  his  nag. 
What  a  SPICY  chestnut  it  is. 

^.1872.  LEVER,  Rent  in  a  Cloud,  58. 
A  SPICY  bit  of  scandal. 


Spiddock-legs. 


Spigot. 


1897.    MARSHALL,  Ponies,  88.    Their 
jokelets  more  SPICY  than  witty. 

3.  (venery).— JUICY  (q.v.) :  of 
women. 


SPIDDOCK-POT  LEGS,  subs. 
(old).  —  Large  awkward 
(HALLIWELL). 


SPIDER,  subs,  (common). — Claret 
and  lemonade. 

TO  SWALLOW  A  SPIDER,  verb, 
phr.  (old).  —  To  go  bankrupt 
(RAY). 

SPIDER-CATCHER,  subs.  phr.  (B. 
E.).  — 'A  Spindle  of  a  Man.' 
Also  (HALLiWELL)=a  monkey. 

SPIDER-CLAW,  verb.  phr.  (venery). 
—To  grasp  and  roke  the  testes 
in  the  palm  and  fingers. 

SPIDER-SHANKED,  adj.  phr.  (old). 
— Long  legged  (GROSE).  SPIDER- 
SHANKS  =  a  lanky  fellow  :  see 
LAMP-POST. 

1827.  LVTTON,  Pelhatn,  Ixxxii.  The 
tallest  of  the  set,  who  bore  the  euphonious 
appellation  of  SPIDER-SHANKS. 

SPIDER-WEB,  subs.  phr.  (B.  E.). — 
'  The  subtilties  of  Logic,  which, 
tho'  artificial  to  sight,  were  yet  of 
no  Use.' 

SPIDIREEN,  subs,  (nautical).— An 
imaginary  vessel  figuring  in  an 
unwilling  reply  :  '  What  ship  do 
you  belong  to  ? '  '  The  SPIDIREEN 
frigate,  with  nine  decks,  and  ne'er 
a  bottom.' 

SPIEL.    See  SPIELER. 

SPIERIZE,  verb.  (Oxf.  Univ.  Cant). 
— To  have  one's  hair  cut  and 
dressed.  [Spiers  was  a  barber  in 
The  High.] 

SPIFFING,  adj.  (common).  —  A 
generic  intensitive  :  of  pleasure 
or  admiration  :  used  for  anything 


or  anybody  out  of  the  common  : 
e.g.,  a  SPIFFING  TIME  or  GIRL  ; 
awfully  SPIFF  ;  '  How  SPIFF  you 
look  '  ;  '  How  are  you  ?  '  '  Pretty 
SPIFF  ' ;  and  so  forth.  Also 
SPIFF,  subs.  —  a  swell. 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer,  119.  Pat  of 
course  looked  as  if  he  had  just  walked  out 
of  a  ban-box,  and  the  Mater  and  the  girls 
looked  SPIFFING. 

2.  (drapers'). — In  pi.  =  a  per- 
centage on  the  sale  of  old  or 
'dead'  stock. 

SPIFFED,  adj.  (common).— Drunk  : 
see  SCREWED. 

SPIFLICATE  (SPIFFLICATE,  or 
SMIFLIGATE),  verb,  (common). — 
To  confound ;  to  crush  ;  to  SMASH 
(q.v.}.  Hence  SPIFLICATION  = 
confusion  ;  annihilation  (GROSE). 
See  quot.  1823. 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  SPIFLI- 
CATE. To  SPIFLICATE  a  thief  is  to  spill 
him,  or  betray  the  subject  of  his  roguery. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.  So 
out  with  your  whinger  at  once  And  scrag 
Jane,  while  I  SPIFLICATE  Johnny. 

1856.  R.  F.  BURTON,  El.  Medinah, 
I.  264.  Whose  blood  he  vowed  to  drink — 
the  Oriental  form  of  threatening  SPIFLICA- 
TION. 

1873.  ^Brit.  Quart.  Rev.,  Ivii.  276. 
The  way  in  which  the  learned,  racy  old 
Hector  smashes  and  SPIFLICATES  scientific 
idiots  ...  is  delicious. 

1899.  HVNE,  Furth.  Adv.  Captain 
Kettle,  5x.  'Very  well.  Den  we  shall 
SPIFLICATE  you  until  you  do.'  '  I  wonder 
what  SPIFLICATION  is,'  mused  Kettle. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  170. 
Then  they  threatened  to  SPIFLIGATE  him 
if  he  stirred,  and  made  off. 

SPIGOT,  subs,  (venery). — The  penis: 
see  PRICK. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  iii. 
Honest  widows  may  without  danger  play 
at  the  close-buttock  game  with  might  and 
main  for  the  ...  first  two  months  ...  If 
the  devil  would  not  have  them  to  bag,  he 
must  wring  hard  the  SFIGOT,  and  stop  the 
bung-hole. 


Spigot-sucker. 


Spin. 


SPIGOT-SUCKER,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
See  quot.,  LUSHINGTON,  and 
KNIGHT. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Pinteur. 
A  tippler,  pot-companion,  SPIGGOT-SUCKER. 

2.  (venery), — A  mouth-whore  ; 
a  STAND  (q.v.) :  cf.  SPIGOT. 

SPIKE,  subs,  (tramps'). — A  casual 
ward.  SPIKE-RANGER =atramper 
from  ward  to  ward. 

1866.  Temple  Bar,  xvi.  184.  Let  the 
SPIKES  be  what  they  may  they  were  a  great 
deal  better  than  the  padding-kens. 

1897.  Quiver,  846.  I  sat  there  for 
two  hours  anxiously  looking  for  a  typical 
SPIKE-RANGER — one  .  .  .  who  can  tell  you 
with  amazing  accuracy  precisely  what  you 
may  expect  at  any  given  workhouse. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  260.  The 
next  two  nights  of  our  stay  as  tramps  in 
London  were  soent  in  the  Netting  Hill 
.  .  .  SPIKE  as  it  is  called  in  tramp  parlance. 

2.  (venery). — An  erection  :  see 
HORN.  As  verb.=\.o  copulate: 
see  RIDE  ;  SPIKE-FAGGOT  =  the 
penis. 

SPIKE-PARK,  subs.  phr.  (obsolete). 
— The  Queen's  Bench  prison. 

SPILL,  subs.  (old). — I.  A  small  fee, 
reward,  or  gift  of  money  (B.  E.). 

1726.  AYLIFFE,  Parergon.  The 
bishops  who  consecrated  the  ground  were 
wont  to  have  a  SPILL  or  sportule  from  the 
credulous  laity. 

2.  (colloquial).  —  A  fall  ;  a 
tumble.  As  verb.  =to  throw  ;  to 
fall ;  to  overturn  (GROSE  and 
BEE).  Also  (3)  =  to  betray  (BEE). 

1881.  BURROUGHS,  Pepacton,  217.  Its 
body  slumps  off,  and  rolls,  and  SPILLS  down 
the  hill. 

1886.  Field,  2  Jan.  A  quick  drive 
along  the  frosty  road,  ending  in  a  harmless 
SPILL. 

To  SPILL  STOCK,  verb.  phr. 
(American). — See  quot. 


1870.  MEDBERY,  Men,  &><:.,  in  Wall 
St.  [BARTLETT].  To  SPILL  STOCK  is  to 
throw  great  quantities  upon  the  market, 
sometimes  from  necessity,  but  often  in 
order  to  'break'  the  price. 

SPILL-GOOD,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
spendthrift  (MiNSHEu). 

SPILLS  BURY,  subs.  (old). — Failure  : 
e.g.,  '  to  come  by  SPILLSBURY  ' : 
cf.  BEDFORDSHIRE,  PECKHAM, 
CLAPHAM,  &c. 

1692.  HACKET,  Williams,  i.  208. 
They  might  seek  their  fortune  .  .  .  and 
come  home  by  SPILLSBURY. 

SPILL-TIME,  subs.  phr.  (old).— An 
idler. 

1362.  LANGLAND,  Piers  Ploughman, 
C.  vi.  28.  A  splendour  that  spende  mot 
other  a  SPILLE-TYME. 

SPILT- MILK.  TO  CRY  OVER  SPILT  - 
MILK,  verb.  phr.  (colloquial). — 
To  lament  what  is  past  recovery 
or  mending. 

1877.  New  York  Tribune,  10  Mar. 
'  Letter  from  Washington. '  The  Democrats 
...  are  CRYING,  and  cursing  too,  OVER 

SPILLED   MILK. 

1900.  DOWLING,  Tempest  Driven,  vi. 
There's  no  use  crying  over  SPILT  MILK. 
What  we  have  to  ask  ourselves  is  :  How 
can  it  be  best  faced? 

SPIN,  subs,   (colloquial). — A  brisk 

run,  a  smart  canter,  a  spurt.     As 

verb.  —  to  go  quickly  :  usually  TO 

SPIN  ALONG. 

1854.    WILKIE  COLLINS,    Hide   and 

Seek,  ii.  4.     While  it  [money]  lasts,  make 

it  SPIN. 

1883.  S.  LANIER.  Eng.  Novel,  3.  The 
locomotive  SPINS  ALONG  no  less  merrily 
because  ten  car-loads  of  rascals  may  be 
profiting  by  its  speed. 

1884.  Field,   6  Dec.     After  a    short 
undecided  SPIN,  Athos  took  a  good  lead. 

Verb.     (Royal    Military    Aca- 
demy).— To  reject ;  TO  PLOUGH  ; 

TO  PLUCK   (q.V.).      Also   TO  GET 
A  SPIN. 

1868.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  White  Rose, 
i.  x.  Don't  you  funk  being  SPUN  ? 


Spindle. 


312 


Spin-text. 


PHRASES.    To  SPIN  A  YARN  = 
to  tell  a  story  :  originally  nautical  ; 

TO  SPIN  STREET-YARN  =  to  gad, 
to  LOAF  ('/.».);  TO  SPIN  A 
FAIR  THREAD  =  tO  busy  oneself 

about  trifles  (RAY)  ;  TO  SPIN  OUT 
=  to  prolong  unreasonably  ; 
'  She'd  rather  kiss  than  SPIN  '  (of 
a  wanton). 


.  LESTRANGE,  Works  [Century], 
By  one  delay  after  another,  they  SPIN  OUT 
their  whole  lives. 

1779.  SHERIDAN,  Critic,  i.  i.  Do 
you  mean  that  the  story  is  tediously  SPUN 
OUT? 

1837.  PRESCOTT,  Ferd.  and  Isabella, 
ii.  13.  He  endeavoured,  however,  to  gain 
further  time  by  SPINNING  OUT  the  negotia- 
tion. 

i8[?].  Widow  Bedott  Papers,  149. 
They  say  when  Sally  Hugle  ain't  a 
SPINNIN'  street-yarn,  she  don't  do  nothing 
but  write  poetry. 

1885.  Observer,  20  Dec.  The  YARN 
is  SPUN  by  Ben  Campion,  the  old  salt  who 
was  its  hero. 

SPINDLE,    subs,    (venery).  —  The 
penis:  see  PRICK. 

TO  MAKE  (or  SPIN)  CROOKED 
SPINDLES,  verb.  phr.  (old).  —  See 
quot. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes.  A 
woman  that  MAKES  or  SPINS  CROOKED 
SPINDLES,  that  is,  maketh  her  husband 
cuckold. 


SPINDLE-LEGS  (or  -SHANKS),  subs, 
phr.  (colloquial). — i.  Long,  thin 
legs :  hence  (2)  a  tall,  slender 
person  ;  a  LAMP-POST  (q.v.).  Also 
as  adj.  (or  SPINDLY)  =  thin,  slim 
(GROSE). 

1570.  Marr.,  Wit  and  Science [Doos- 
LEV,  Old  Plays  (HAZLITT),  ii.  336].  But 
what,  if  she  find  fault  with  these  SPINDLE- 
SHANKS. 

1703.  STEELE,  Tender  Husband,  \. 
i.  A  Weezel-faced  cross  old  Gentleman 

With   SPINDLE-SHANKS. 

1715.     ADDISON,  Drummer,  i.  i.   This 

SF1NDLE-SHANKED   fellow. 


1723.  SWIFT,  Mary  the  Cookmaid's 
Letter  [CHALMERS,  Eng.  Poets,  xi.  433]. 
My  master  is  a  personable  man,  and  not  a 
SPINDLE-SHANKED  hoddy-doddy. 

1888.  Pop.  Set.  Monthly,  xxxvi.  556. 
The  effect  of  all  this  may  be  easily  imagined 
— a  SPINDLY  growth  of  rootless  ideas. 

SPINK,  subs.  (Royal  Military  Aca- 
demy).— Milk :  new  or  condensed. 

SPINNING-  (or  SPIN-)  HOUSE,  subs, 
phr.  (old). — A  house  of  correction 
or  Bridewell  for  loose  women. 
[The  task  work  consisted  of 
spinning  or  beating  hemp.] 
Hence  SPINSTER  =  a  harlot. 
[The  term  is  still  applied  to  the 
prison  for  disorderly  women  at- 
tached to  the  Vice -Chancellor's 
Court  at  the  University  of  Cam- 
bridge.] 

1622.  FLETCHER,  Prophetess,  iii.  i. 
We  are  no  SPINSTERS  ;  nor  if  you  look 
upon  us,  So  wretched  as  you  take  us. 

1641.  EVELYN,  Diary,  19  Aug.  As 
we  returned  we  stepp'd  in  to  see  the  SPIN- 
HOUSE,  a  kind  of  Bridewell,  where  incorri- 
gible and  lewd  women  are  kept  in  discipline 
and  order. 

1662.  FULLER,  Worthies  of  England, 
Kent.  Many  would  never  be  wretched 
SPINSTERS  were  they  spinsters  in  deed,  nor 
come  to  so  public  and  shameful  punish- 
ments. 

SPINNIKEN  (tramps'). — St.  Giles' 
Workhouse;  LARGE  HOUSE  (g.v.). 

SPINSRAP,  subs,  (back  slang). — A 
parsnip. 

SPIN  TEXT,  subs.  (old). — A  parson  ; 
spec,  a  prosy  preacher. 

1693.  CONGREVE,  Old  Bachelor,  i.  i. 
SPINTEXT  !  Oh,  the  fanatic  one-ey«d 
parson. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  236.  Mr. 
SPINTEXT  the  preacher,  or  Mr.  Lovelady 
the  chaplain. 

£.1712.  WARD,  Works  (1718),  iii. 
'  Libertine's  Answ>  to  his  Uncle. '  I  ... 
cannot  but  believe  you  have  been  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  imploying  some  superannuated 
SPINTEXT,  to  rattle  off  your  poor  nephew. 


Spirit. 


313 


Spit. 


1788.  V.  KNOX,  Winter  Evenings, 
ix.  The  race  of  formal  SPINTEXTS,  and 
solemn  saygraces  is  nearly  extinct. 

SPIRIT.     To  SPIRIT  AWAY,  verb. 

phr.    (old).—  To  kidnap  (B.    E. 

and  GROSE).    Hence  SPIRITER  = 

an  abductor. 

1675.  COTTON,  Burlesque  on  Bur- 
lesque, 257.  While  the  poor  boy  half  dead 
with  fear,  Writh'd  back  to  view  his 

SPIRITER. 

£.1730.  ARBUTHNOT  and  POPE  [Ency. 
Diet.].  The  ministry  had  him  SPIRITED 
AWAY,  and  carried  abroad  as  a  dangerous 
person. 

SPIRITUAL  FLESH-BROKER,  subs. 
(old).  —  A  parson  :  see  BLACK-SPY 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

SPIRIT  OF  HARTSHORN. 


SPIT,  subs,  (colloquial).  —  i.  A 
speaking  likeness  ;  orig.  *  as  like 
as  if  he'd  spit  it  '  ;  usually  in 
phrase  '  the  SPIT  of  (someone 
named).'  —  GROSE.  Fr.  Cest  son 
pere  tout  crache". 

1602.  BRETON,  Merry  Wonders,  8. 
Twoo  girles  ...  the  one  as  like  an  owle, 
the  other  AS  LIKE  an  urchin,  AS  IF  they 
had  beene  SPITTE  OUT  OF  THE  MOUTHS  of 
them. 

1675.  COTTON,  Burl  on  Burl.,  278. 
Nay,  I'm  as  like  my  dad,  in  sooth,  As  he 
had  SPIT  me  OUT  ON'S  MOUTH.  Ibid.,  Vir- 
gil Travestie,  iv.  (1770),  60.  I  dare  be 
sworn  'twas  thou  did'st  get  him,  He's  e'en 
as  like  thee  as  th'  had'st  SPIT  him. 

1698.  FARQUHAR,  Love  and  a  Bottle, 
\.  i.  Poor  child  !  he's  as  like  his  own 
dadda  as  if  he  were  SPIT  OUT  OF  HIS 
MOUTH. 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Per.  Pickk,  xiii. 
He  is  the  very  moral  of  you,  and  as  like  as 
if  he  had  been  SPIT  OUT  OF  YOUR  own 
MOUTH. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lad.,  n. 
488.  The  very  SPIT  of  the  one  I  had  for 
years  ;  it's  a  real  portrait. 

2.    (Old     Cant).  —  A    sword 

(GROSE). 

1613.  PURCHAS,  Pilgrimage,  309. 
Going  naked  with  a  SPIT  on  his  shoulder. 


3.  (printers'). — An  obelisk  or 
dagger;  f  :  used  as  a  reference 
mark. 

^.1656.  HALL,  To  Hugh  Cholmley 
[LATHAM].  Either  your  starres  or  your 
SPITS  .  .  .  shall  be  welcome  to  my  mar- 
gent. 

Verb,  (colloquial). — i.  To  show 
signs  of  rain  :  also  as  subs.  — 
drops  of  rain. 

1818.  FERRIER,  Marriage,  yii.  '  And ' 
— putting  her  hand  out  of  the  window — '  I 
think  it's  SPITTING  already.' 

^.1870.  DICKENS,  Sketches,  Tales,  vii. 
It  had  been  SPITTING  with  rain  for  the  last 
half-hour,  and  now  began  to  pour  in  good 
earnest. 

1887.  WARNER,  Pilgrimage,  175. 
SfiTS  of  rain  dashed  in  their  faces. 

2.  (venery). — To  foraminate  a 
woman. 

PHRASES. — A  SPIT  AND  A 
STRIDE  =  a  very  short  distance  ; 

TO  SPIT    AT  ONE  =  to  insult  ;    TO 

SPIT  IT  OUT  =  to  speak  plainly  ; 
TO  SPIT  WHITE  (WHITE  BROTH,  or 
SIXPENCES)  =  to  expectorate  from 
a  dry  but  healthy  mouth  :  Fr. 
cracker  des  pieces  de  dix  sous ; 
TO  PUT  FOUR  QUARTERS  ON  THE 

SPIT  =  to  know  carnally. 

1594.  LYLY,  Mother  Bombie,  iii.  i 
[NARES].  That  makes  them  SPIT  WHITE 
BROATH,  as  they  do. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.,  i.  2, 
237.  If  it  be  a  hot  day,  and  I  brandish 
anything  but  a  bottle,  I  would  I  might 
never  SPIT  WHITE  again. 

1603.  Measure  for  Meas.,  ii.  i.  As  she 
SPIT  IN  HIS  FACE,  so  she  defied  him. 

1622.  MASSINGER,  Virgin  Martyr, 
iii.  3.  Had  I  been  a  pagan  still,  I  should 
not  have  SPIT  WHITE  for  want  of  drink. 

1772.  GRAVES,  Spiritual  Quixote, 
iv.  vi.  He  had  thought  it  rather  a  dry 
discourse ;  and  beginning  to  SPIT  SIXPENCES 
(as  his  saying  was),  he  gave  hints  to  Mr. 
Wildgoose  to  stop  at  the  first  public-bouse 
they  should  come  to. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  371.  You  have  no  one  to  quarrel 
with  but  yourself;  for  I  do  not  see  so  much 
as  a  cat  TO  SPIT  AT  you. 


Spitalfield's  breakfast.      3 1 4 


Splash. 


1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  123.  '  You 
must  SPIT  IT  OUT  a  bit ! '  I  yelled,  and  Ike 
began  once  more. 

SPITALFI ELD'S  BREAKFAST,  subs, 
phr.  (East  London).— No  break- 
fast at  all ;  'a  tight  necktie  and  a 
short  pipe ' :  cf.  IRISHMAN'S 
DINNER,  DUKE  HUMPHREY,  &c. 

SPIT-CURL,  subs.  phr.  (costers'). — 
A  curl  lying  flat  on  the  temple ;  a 
SOAP-CURL  (q.V.)  :  see  AGGERA- 
VATORS. 

SPITE,  verb.  (Winchester).  —  See 
quots. 

£.1840. '  MANSFIELD,  School  Lz/e(tZ66), 
235.  When  a  boy  suffered  some  injury 
himself,  in  order  to  spite  another  person  ; 
or,  having  in  some  way  injured  another, 
received  punishment,  he  was  said  to  be 
SPITING  Gabell.  Dr.  Gabell  was  formerly 
Head-master,  and  the  extreme  inexpediency 
of  attempting  to  annoy  him  gave  rise  to  the 
proverb. 

1891.  WRENCH,  Winchester  Word 
Book,  s.v.  SPITE.  The  word  in  Wyke- 
hamical  usage  generally  connoted  the 
frame  of  mind  rather  than  the  acts  in  which 
it  finds  expression.  But  the  phrase  '  TO 
SPITE  GABELL,'  describes  the  act  popularly 
known  as  '  cutting  off  your  nose  to  spite 
your  face." 

SPITFIRE,  subs.  (old).  —  A  hot 
tempered  person :  see  FURIOSO 
(GROSE). 

1623.  MABBE,  Guzman  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,  ii.  83.  There  are  the  phrases 
...  a  brown  study  .  .  .  FIRE  SPITTING 
DEVILS,  whence  comes  our  SPITFIRE]. 

1687.  BROWN,  Works,  \.  87.  'Tis 
some  comfort  to  me  .  .  .  Bully  SPIT-FIRE, 
that  thou  canst  not  abuse  me  without 
falling  foul  upon  my  Country. 

1695.  CONGREVE,  Love  for  Love,  ii. 
3.  But  there's  but  one  virgin  among  the 
twelve  signs,  SPITFIRE,  but  one  virgin. 

1891.  MARRIOT  •  WATSON,  Web  of 
Spider,  xii.  Foster  was  right  .  .  .  She  is 
a  little  SPITFIRE. 

1899.  HYNE,  Furth.  Adv.  Captain 
Kettle,  ix.  It  was  clear  that  this  little 
SPITFIRE  of  a  sailor,  with  his  handy  pistol, 
daunted  him. 


SPIT-FROG,    subs.  phr.    (old).  —  A 
small  sword. 

1630.    TAYLOR,  Works.    I  would  not 
see  thy  spightfull  SPIT-FROG  drawn. 

1677.     Wrangling  Lovers.    And  each 
a  little  SPIT-FROG  by  his  side. 


(nautical).  —  A  bo'sun  or  bo'sun's 
mate. 

SPITTER,  subs,  (common).  —  Slight 
rain  :  see  SPIT,  verb. 

SPITTLE  (or  SPITAL),  subs.  (old).  — 
A  hospital  or  lazar-house.  Hence, 

SPITTLE-WHORE  (or  SINNER)  =  a 

foundered  harlot  ;  a  SPITTLE- 
ROGUE  (or  MAN)  =  (i)  a  gaol- 
bird ;  and  (2)  a  diseased  outcast  : 
whence  a  general  term  of  con- 
tempt. 

1580.  BARET,  Alvearie.  SPITTLE 
WHORE,  a  very  common  whore. 

1607.  DAVIES,  Summa  Totalis,  26. 
Good  preachers  that  Hue  ill  (like  SPITTLE- 
MEN)  Are  perfect  in  the  way  they  neuer 
went. 

1632.  MASSINGER,  Fatal  Dowry,  iii. 
i.  I  will  rather  choose  a  SPITTLE  SINNER 
.  .  .  though  three  parts  rotten.  Ibid. 
(1632),  City  Madam,  iii.  i.  Ramb.  Rank 
and  rotten,  is  she  not?  Shave.  Your 
SPiTTLE-rogueships. 

SPITTOON,  subs.  (BEE  :  now  recog- 
nised). —  'An  utensil  mostly  used 
in  public-houses  for  the  reception 
of  smokers'  expectorations.' 

SPLASH,  subs,  (common).  —  i.  Face 
powder;  SLAP  (q.v.).  As  verb. 

—  TO  MAKE  UP  (q.V.). 

2.  (common).  —  Display  ;  exer- 
tion ;  eftort.  Hence,  SPLASH  UP 
=  in  good  style  ;  quick  time  ; 
BANG-UP  (q.V.) 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  28  Dec.  Enable 
him  to  have  a  rattling  good  SPLASH  for  it 
somehow  —  break  or  make. 


Splasher. 


315 


Splice. 


1885.  SALA  [D.  Tel.,  i  Sep.,  5,  4].  I 
should  like  to  see  the  Australian  Croesusses 
spending  their  money.  Why  don't  they 
cut  a  SPLASH  with  their  magnificent 
revenues  ? 

1900.  WHITE,  West  End,  16.  '  What 
a  big  SPLASH  your  uncle  will  make,  Ather- 
ton,'  said  he.  '  Of  course  it  isn't  for  me  to 
advise ;  but  if  you  want  him  to  arrive  soon 
you  had  better  get  a  real  flyer  to  take  your 
aunt  in  hand.' 

1902.  KERNAHAN,  Scoundrels,  xv. 
I've  got  the  loan  of  a  big  hall  .  .  .  and  I 
intend  to  make  a  bit  of  a  SPLASH. 

SPLASHER,  subs,  (military). — \npl. 
=  The  Wiltshire  Regiment,  late 
The  62nd  Foot. 

SPLATHERS.  HOLD  YOUR  SPLA- 
THERS,  phr.  (tailors'). — 'Hold 
your  tongue  ! '  SPLATHEVER  =  a 
braggart ;  a  great  talker. 

SPLATTER  DASH,  subs,  (colloquial). 
— A  bustle ;  an  uproar. 

SPLATTER-FACE,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  broad-faced  man  or 
woman ;  also  as  adj. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown  at  Ox- 
ford(1861),  vi.  A  SPLATTER-FACED  wench 
neither  civil  nor  nimble. 

SPLAY-FOOT,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
— A  person  with  flat,  awkward, 
or  spreading  feet :  SPLAY-FOOTED 
=  awkward  in  gait,  heavy-footed. 
SPLAY-MOUTH  =  ( i )  a  large,  wide, 
grinning  mouth;  hence  (2)  a 
grimace. 

1588-93.  TARLETON,  Jests  [HALLI- 
WELL  (1844)].  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  ii. 
13.  Amongst  the  romance  words  are 
undecentnes  .  .  .  SPLAIE-FOOTED.] 

1608.  MACHIN,  Dumb  Knight,  iv.  i. 
Sure  I  met  no  SPLEA-FOOTED  beggar. 

1633.  FORD,  Broken  Heart,  v.  i. 
The  doublers  of  a  hare,  or  in  a  morning 
Salutes  from  a  SPLAY-FOOTED  witch. 

1692.  DRYDEN,  Persius,  i.  Hads't 
thou  but,  Janus  like,  a  face  behind,  To  see 
the  people  when  SPLAY  MOUTHS  they  make. 
^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  271.  These 
solemn  SPLAY  -  MOUTHED  gentlemen, 
Madam,  says  I,  only  do  it  to  improve  in 
natural  philosophy. 


SPLENDIFEROUS,  adj.  (colloquial). 
— Splendid.  Also  SPLENDACIOUS; 
SPLENDIDOUS  ;  and  SPLEN- 
DIDIOUS. 

1538.  BALE,  Enterlude  Johan  Bapt. 
[Harl.  Misc.,  i.  113].  O  tyme  most  ioyfull, 
daye  most  SPLENDIFERUS. 

1605.  JONSON,  Fox,  ii.  i.  Worship- 
ful merchants,  ay,  and  senators  too  .  .  . 
have  detained  me  to  their  uses  by  their 
SPLENDIDOUS  liberalities. 

1605.  DRAYTON,  Moses,  &>c.,  B  iii. 
His  brows  encircled  with  SPENDIDIOUS 
rays. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works.  To  the  mirror 
of  time,  the  most  refulgent  SPLENDIDIOUS 
reflecting  court  animal,  don  Archibald 
Armstrong. 

1855.  HALIBURTON,  Human  Nature, 
280.      To   my    mind    a    SPLENDIFEROUS 
woman  and  a  first-chop    horse    are    the 
noblest  works  of  creation. 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons,   I.   69.     The 
SPLENDIFEROUS  splendours  that  decorate 
the  opposite  shore  ['  of  the  gulf  of  death  ']. 

1863.  READE,  Hard  Cash,  xxviii. 
Where  is  all  your  gorgeous  attire  ...  I 
see  the  SPLENDIFEROUS  articles  arrive,  and 
then  they  vanish  for  ever. 

SPLICE,  verb,  (common). — i.  To 
marry :  of  the  agent ;  and  2. 
(venery)  =  to  copulate.  To  BE 
SPLICED  =  to  get  married.  Also 
SPLICE,  subs.  —  a  wife  (GROSE). 

1751.  SMOLLETT,  Per.  Pickle,  vii. 
Trunnion  I  Trunnion  !  turn  out  and  be 
SPLICED,  or  lie  still  and  be  d ed. 

1839.  AINSWORTH,  Jack  Sheppard 
(1889),  20.  Tomorrow  we'll  go  to  the 
Fleet,  and  get  SPLICED. 

1852.  BRONTE,  Villette,  xl.  We 
never  meant  to  be  SPLICED  in  the  humdrum 
way  of  other  people. 

1857.  WHITTY,  Bohemia,  i.  205.    '  Is 
this  the  confidence  of  married  life  ?  '    '  Not 
SPLICED  yet  you  know.' 

1858.  LYTTON,  What   Will  He  Do 
With  It,  iv.  ix.    If  you  advise  me  to  be 
SPLICED,  why  don't  you  get  SPLICED  your- 
self? .  .  .  you  can  be  at  no  loss  for   a 
heiress. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  31.  He's 
fond  of  something  tasty,  so  to  speak,  For 
me  and  him  was  SPLICED  last  Monday 
week. 


Split. 


316 


Split. 


1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  282. 
Suppose  a  feller  goes  on  the  racket  when 
e's  young,  what's  to  prevent  'im  SPLICING 
'imself  to  'is  own  daughter  when  she  gets 
to  years  o'  discretion  or  indiscretion  ? 

2.  (Winchester).  —  To  throw; 
to  fling. 

TO    SPLICE    THE  MAIN  BRACE, 

verb.  phr.  (nautical).  —  To  drink  : 
orig.    to    serve    out    extra  grog. 

WITH      MAIN        BRACE        WELL- 

SPLICED  =  drunk  :  see  SCREWED. 

SPLIT,  subs,  (thieves').  —  I.  A  de- 
tective ;  a  police  spy  :  also  as 
verb,  (or  TO  TURN  SPLIT)  =  to 
inform;  to  NOSE  ;  to  SNITCH 
(g.v)  :  see  NARK  and  cf.  verb. 
sense  i. 

2.  (acrobats').  —  In//.  =  a  sit- 
ting posture,  the  legs  extended 
laterally  on  the  ground.  Whence 
WELL-SPLIT  UP  =  long  in  limb  ; 
SPLIT-UP  =  a  lanky  fellow  :  see 
LAMP-POST. 

,  Land.   Lab.,  u. 


1851-61. 
569.     He  ta 
my 
nicely  with  the  SPLITS 


69.  He  taught  me  to  put  my  leg  round 
y  neck,  and  I  was  just  getting  along 
icely  with  the  SPLITS  when  I  left  him. 


3.  (common).  —  (a)  A  small 
bottle  of  aerated  water  ;  also  as  adv. 
=  divided  :  e.g.  ,  *  two  Scotches 
and  a  soda  (or  small  soda)  SPLIT.' 
(£)  a  half  glass  of  spirits  ;  a 
dram.' 

Verb,  (venery).  —  To  copulate  : 
see  RIDE  and  cf.  SPLIT-ARSE 
MECHANIC  =  a  whore.  Also 
BEARD  -  SPLITTER  =  a  whore- 
master  ;  SPLIT  -  MUTTON  =  a 
woman  ;  SPLIT-RUMP  =  the  penis 
(URQUHART). 

PHRASES.  —  To  MAKE  ALL 
SPLIT  =  to  make  a  disturbance  or 
commotion  ;  TO  SPLIT  ALONG  (or 
GO  LIKE  SPLIT)  =  (  i)  to  stride,  to 
run  quickly  ;  and  (2)  to  move  or 
work  with  vigour  ;  AT  FULL 


SPLIT  =  as  hard  as  may  be  ;  TO 
SPLIT  ONE'S  SIDES  (or  TO  SPLIT) 
=  to  burst  with  laughter ;  TO 
SPLIT  THE  EARS  =  to  deafen  ;  TO 
SPLIT  HAIRS  =  to  cavil  about 
trifles,  to  be  over-nice  in  argu- 
ment :  hence  HAIR-SPLITTER  (or 
SPLITTER)  =  a  PRECISIAN  (q.v.), 
the  reverse  of  LUMPER  (q.v.); 

TO  SPLIT  ON  A  ROCK  =  to  fail,  to 

come  to  grief ;  TO  SPLIT  ON  ONE 
(or  TO  SPLIT)  =  to  betray  confi- 
dence :  see  subs,  i  ;  TO  SPLIT 
FAiR=to  tell  the  truth ;  TO  SPLIT 
OUT  (thieves')  =  to  separate  ;  TO 
SPLIT  WITH  ONE  =  to  quarrel ; 
'  SPLIT  my  windpipe  !  '  =  *  a 
foolish  kind  of  a  curse  among  the 
Beaux '  (B.  E.). 

1592.  SHAKSPEARE,  Mid.  Night's 
Dream,  i.  2.  I  could  play  Ercles  rarely, 
or  a  part  to  tear  a  cat  in,  TO  MAKE  ALL 
SPLIT.  Ibid.  (1596),  Hamlet,  iii.  2.  To 
SPLIT  THE  EARS  of  the  groundlings. 

1609.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER, 
Scornful  Lady,  ii.  3.  Two  roaring  boys 
of  Rome  that  MADE  ALL  SPLIT. 

1611.  MIDDLETON,     Roaring    Girl 
[DopsLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  vi.  89],     If 
I  sail  not  with  you  both  'TILL  ALL  SPLIT, 
hang  me  up  at  the  main  yard  and  duck  me. 

1612.  CHAPMAN,      Widow's     Tears 
[DoosLEY,   Old  Plays  (REED),  vi.  153]. 
To  prepare  my  next  encounter,  but  in  such 
a  way  as  shall  MAKE  ALL  SPLIT. 

1693.  CONG  R  EVE,  Old  Bachelor,  ii. 
2.  Now  I  must  speak  ;  it  will  SPLIT  A 
HAIR,  by  the  Lord  Harry. 

1734.  POPE,  Satires,  vi.  131.  Each 
had  a  gravity  would  make  you  SPLIT. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  51.  I  was  in  danger  more  than 
once  of  SPLITTING  MY  SIDES  with  laughing. 
Ibid.,  373.  He  laughed  ready  TO  SPLIT 
HIS  SIDES.  Ibid.,  56.  They  would  not 
SPLIT  A  HAIR  about  the  loss  of  a  wife. 

1837.  BARHAM,      Infolds.      Leg., 
1  Babes  in  the  Wood."     His    man  being 
caught  in  some  fact  .  .  .  When  he  came 
to  be  hanged  for  the  act  SPLIT,  and  told 
the  whole  story  to  Cotton. 

1838.  DICKENS,  Oliver  Twist,  xxv. 
I  might  have  got  clear  off  if  I'd  SPLIT  UPON 
her. 


Split-arse  mechanic.       317 


Splurge. 


^.1841.  HOOK,  Sutherland*.  Don't 
let  Emmy  know  that  we've  SPLIT,  else 
she'll  be  savage  with  us. 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship 
[BARTLETT].  I  set  the  niggers  a-drummin1 
and  fifin'  as  hard  as  they  could  SPLIT. 

1862.  BROWNE,  Artemus  Ward, His 
Book  [Works  (1870),  47].  You  wood  have 
SPLIT  YOUR  SIDES  larfin  to  see  the  old  man 
jump  up. 

1865.  DOWNING,  May  Day,  64. 
There  was  no  end  to  the  one-horse  teams, 
goin'  LIKE  SPLIT  all  over  the  city. 

1877.  HORSLEY,  Jottings  front  Jail. 
There  is  a  reeler  over  there  who  knows  me. 
We  had  better  SPLIT  OUT. 

1884.  GREENWOOD,  Little  Raga- 
muffins. If  I  tell  you  all  about  it,  will 
you  promise  that  you  won't  SPLIT. 

1888.  A.  L.  GORDON,  Poems,  '  Wolf 
and  Hound.'  We  had  run  him  for  seven 
miles  and  more,  As  hard  as  our  nags  could 
SPLIT. 

1897.  OUIDA,  Massarenes,  i.  We 
won't  do  that,  Boo.  Mummy's  a  bad  un 
TO  SPLIT  ON. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  v.  You 
see  if  the  baby  farm  was  TO  SPLIT  ON  Ikey, 
he  might  SPLIT  ON  the  baby  farm. 

SPLIT-ARSE  MECHANIC,  subs. phr. 
(venery). — A  harlot.  Also  SPLIT- 
MUTTON  =  (i)  the  penis  ;  and 
(2)  generic  for  the  female  sex. 

SPLIT-ASUNDER,  subs.  phr.  (rhym- 
ing).— A  costermonger. 

SPLIT-CAUSE,  subs.  phr.  (old).— A 
lawyer  (GROSE)  :  also  (B.  E.) 

SPLITTER  OF  CAUSES. 

SPLIT- FIG,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
grocer  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

SPLIT  FOOT  (or  OLD  SPLIT  FOOT), 

subs.     phr.      (common).  —  The 
Devil. 

1848.  LOWELL,  Biglow  Papers,  .  .  . 
An'  make  ole  SPLIT  FOOT  wince  and 
squirm. 

SPLITTING,  adj.  (colloquial). — 
Extreme;  severe:  e.g.,  a  SPLIT- 
TING (=  very  quick)  PACE;  A 


SPLITTING     (=  painfully    throb- 
bing)     HEAD-ACHE,      &C.         See 

SPLIT. 

1868.  WHYTE  MELVILLE,  White 
Rose,  n.  xv.  Though  stout  he  was  no 
mean  pedestrian  ;  and  on  he  ran  at  a 
SPLITTING  pace. 

SPLODGER,  subs,  (common). — A 
lout.  SPLODGY  =  awkward  (in 
gait),  coarse  (in  complexion). 

SPLOSH,  subs,  (common). — Money  : 
generic  :  see  RHINO. 

1893.  Gus  ELEN,  'E  Dunno  Where 
'E  Are.  Since  Jack  Jones  come  into  that 
little  bit  o'  SPLOSH. 

1902.  BOOTH  BY,  My  Strangest  Case, 
166.  I  reckon  we  ain't  a-goin'  to  see  no 
SPLOSH  this  'ere  trip. 

Adv.  (common). — Plump. 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer,  47.  Such  larks 
when  you  heard  the  ball  go  SPLOSH  on  a 
man's  hat ! 

SPLURGE,  subs,  (colloquial). — 
Generic  for  effort  and  effect.  As 
verb.  —  to  make  the  most  and  do 
the  showiest;  SPLURGY  =  ON  IT 
(q.v.). 

18  [?].  Widow  Bedott  Papers,  67.  Did 
you  see  Major  Coon's  wife?  .  .  .  Didn't 
she  CUT  a  SPLURGE? 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship,  101. 
Cousin  Pete  was  thar   SPLURGIN'  ABOUT 
.  .  .  with  his  dandy-cut  trowsers  and  big 
whiskers. 

1845.  New  York  Com.  Adv.,  13  Dec. 
Members  of  Congress  should  not  forget 
when  Senator  Benton  was  shinning  around, 
making  what  they  call  in  Missouri  a  great 
SPLURGE,  to  get  gold. 

1860.  PORTER,  Tales  of  South-west, 
54.  Well,  them  was  great  times,  but  now 
the  Settlements  is  got  too  thick  for  them 

TO  SPLURGE. 

1885.  D.  Telegraph,  28  Dec.  The 
great  SPLURGE  made  by  our  American 
Cousins  when  .  .  .  they  completed  another 
connection  with  the  Pacific. 

1887.  WARNER,  Pilgrimage,  114. 
You  would  be  surprised  to  know  the  number 
of  people  who  .  .  .  SPLURGE  OUT  for  a 
year  or  two,  then  fail  or  get  tired  of  it,  and 
disappear. 

X 


Spoffle. 


Spoke-box. 


SPOFFLE,  verb,  (colloquial). — To 
fuss;  to  bustle.  SPOFFISH  (or 
SPOFFY)  =  fussy  ;  bustling  ; 
smart.  Also  SPOFFY,  subs.  =  a 
busybody. 

1836.  DICKENS,  S&.  by  Boz,  '  Horatio 
Sparkins.'  A  little  SPOFFISH  man  with  green 
spectacles.  Ibid.  (1838-40),  Sketches, 
Tales,  yii.  He  invariably  spoke  with 
astonishing  rapidity  ;  was  smart,  SPOFFISH, 
and  eight  and  twenty. 

SPOFFSKINS,  subs,  (common). — A 
prostitute  :  see  TART. 

SPOIL,  verb,  (various). — In  addition 
to  the  sense  (now  accepted)  given 
by  GROSE  ('  to  mar,  to  place  ob- 
stacles in  the  way')  there  arecolloq. 
usages  as  follows  : — To  SPOIL 
FOR  =  to  be  eager  for  :  as  'SPOIL- 
ING for  a  fight,'  and  SPOILING 
to  be  invited;  TO  SPOIL  ONE'S 
SHAPE  =  to  be  got  with  child  ; 
TO  SPOIL  ONE'S  MOUTH  =  to  dam- 
age the  face.  Also  in  sarcastic 
combination,  SPOIL-BREAD  =  a 
baker ;  SPOIL-BROTH  =  a  cook  ; 
SPOIL-IRON  =  a  smith  (GROSE) ; 
SPOIL-PAPER = a  scribbler ;  SPOIL- 
PUDDING  =  a  long-winded  preach- 
er (GROSE)  ;  SPOIL-SPORT  =  an 
unfriendly  or  dispirited  associate 
or  intruder:  hence  TO  SPOIL  SPORT 
=  (i)  to  dishearten,  and  (2)  to 
prevent ;  SPOIL-TRADE  =  an  un- 
scrupulous competitor  ;  SPOIL- 
TEMPER  =  an  exacting  superior. 

1280.  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  437. 
All  through  the  century  [i6th]  new  words 
formed  like  the  SPILBRED  of  1280  (not 
bread-spiller)  were  coming  in.] 

1597-8.  HAUGHTON,  Woman  will  have 
her  Will  [DoosLEY,  Old  Plays  (1874),  x. 
537].  The  rogue  is  waiting  yet  to  SPOIL 
YOUR  SPORT. 

1611.  HOLLAND  [DAVIES,  Scourge  of 
Folly,  81].  My  Satyre  shall  not  touch  such 
sacred  things  ...  As  some  SPOILS-PAPERS 
have  dearly  done  of  late. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
(  Works  (1725),  74].  That  I  am  half  afraid 
lest  he  Should  chance  to  SPOIL  her 
Majesty. 


1604.  MOTTEUX,  Rabelais,  iv.  xlvii. 
He  spied  his  wife  lying  on  the  ground 
piteously  weeping  and  howling  .  .  .  '  He 
has  SPOILED  me.  I  am  undone." 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  97.  The 
French  king  who  had  SPOIL'D  THE  SHAPE 
...  of  several  mistresses  .  .  .  had  a  mind 
to  do  the  same  by  me. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Kenilworth,  xxviii. 
Mike  Lambourne  was  never  a  make-bate, 
or  a  SPOIL-SPORT,  or  the  like. 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  11.  iv. 
'  Hang  you  !  ...  if  you  don't  hold  that 
are  red  rag  of  yours,  I'll  SPOIL  YOUR 

MOUTH.' 

1864.  Derby  Day,  52.  It  will  SPOIL 
SPORT  to  call  in  the  bobbies. 

1901.  D.  Telegraph,  6  Nov.  ,'  Racing 
in  the  Fog.'  Fog  as  a  SPOIL-SPORT  is  less 
recurrent  than  snow  and  wind. 

SPOKE.  To  PUT  A  SPOKE  IN  ONE'S 
WHEEL  (or  CART),  verb.  phr. 
(old).  —  To  do  an  ill  turn.  Occa- 
sionally (by  an  unwarrantable 
inversion)  =  to  assist. 


1661-91. 

1875],  224.     He  .  .   .  lookt  to  be  made  an 
emperor  for't,   But  the   Divel  did  SET  A 

SPOKE  IN  HIS  CART. 

1689.  God's  Last  Twenty-Nine  Years 
Wonders  [WALSH].  Both  .  .  .  bills  were 

SUCh   SPOKES    IN    THEIR   CHARIOT-WHEELS 

that  made  them  drive  much  slower. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  19.  Rolando  put  a  SPOKE  IN  THEIR 
WHEEL  by  representing  that  they  ought  at 
least  to  wait  till  the  lady  .  .  .  could  come 
in  for  her  share  of  the  amusement. 

1855.  THACKERAY,  Newcomes,  ix. 
There's  a  SPOKE  IN  YOUR  WHEEL,  you 
stuck-up  little  Duchess. 

1872.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch,  xiii.  It 
seems  to  me  it  would  be  a  very  poor  sort  of 
religion  TO  PUT  A  SPOKE  IN  HIS  WHEEL  by 
refusing  to  say  you  don't  believe. 

1898.  WALSH,  Lit.  Curios.,  1030. 
When  solid  wheels  were  used,  the  driver 
was  provided  with  a  pin  or  SPOKE,  which 
he  thrust  into  one  of  the  three  holes  made 
to  receive  it,  to  skid  the  cart  when  it  went 
down  hill. 

SPOKE-  BOX,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
—  The  mouth. 

1874.  Siliad,  206.  Do  I,  for  this,  his 
brows  with  wreaths  adorn,  And  lubricate 
his  SPOKE-BOX  every  morn, 


Spondulics. 


319 


Sponge. 


SPONDULICS  (SPONDOOLICKS  or 
S  PO  N  D  u  L  AC  KS  ) ,  .rafo.  (American). 
— Money  :  generic  :  originally 
{Century]  paper  money. 

1863.  SALA  [Illust.  Lend.  News, 
1883,  8  Dec.  547].  I  first  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  word  in  the  United 
States  just  twenty  years  ago.  SPONDULICS 
was  ...  an  enlarged  vulgarisation  of 
greenbacks.  It  may  also  have  been 
applied  to  the  nickel  cents  used  in  small 
change. 

1876.  Harper's  Mag.,  April,  790. 
Now  let's  have  the  SPONDULICKS,  and  see 
how  sweet  and  pretty  I  can  smile  on  you. 

1884^.  CLEMENS,  Huck.  Finn.  I'm 
derned  if  I'd  live  two  mile  out  of  town 
...  not  for  his  SPONDULICS. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  113.  SPON- 
DULICS quite  sufficient  to  ensure  her  a 
position. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  329. 
'  Thish  place  fair  schmells  of  blooming 
SPONDULICKS  ! '  said  Ikey. 

SPONGE  (SPONGER,  or  SPUNGE), 
subs.  (old). — I.  A  parasite  (B.  E. 
and  GROSE)  ;  also  (2)  = '  a  thirsty 
fellow '  (B.  E. ),  a  drunkard.  As 
•verb.  =  to  take  kicks  and  lick 
dishes  for  a  living.  Whence 
SPONGING  =  (l)  CADGING  (q.V.)  ; 
and  (2)  extortion  :  e.g.t  a  SPONG- 
ING-HOUSE  =  a  bailiffs  pound  in 
which  arrested  debtors  were 
SQUEEZED  (q.v.)  pending  transfer 
to  a  regular  prison. 
1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  Mer,  Venice, 

i.  2.  101.     I  will  do  anything,  Nerissa,  ere 

I'll  be  married  to  a  SPONGE. 

1640.  Two  Lancashire  Lovers,    24. 
Or  from  the  wanton  affection,  or  too  pro- 
fuse expense  of  light  mistresses,  who  make 
choice  of  rich  servants  to  make  SPONGES  of 
them. 

1641.  MILTON,  Ref.  in  England,  ii. 
Better  a  penurious    kingdom  then  where 
excessive  wealth  flowes  into  the  gracelesse 
and  injurious  hands  of  common  SPONGES 
to  the  impoverishing  of  good  and   loyal 
men. 

1692.  LESTRANGE,  Msop  [Ency. 
Diet.}.  A  generous  and  rich  man,  that  kept 
a  splendid  and  open  table,  would  try  which 
were  friends,  and  which  only  trencher  flies 
and  SPUNGERS. 


1697.  SOUTH,  Sermons,  i.  xii.  How 
came  such  multitudes  of  our  own  nation 
...  to  be  SPUNGED  of  their  plate  and 
money  ? 

1709.  WARD,  Terr&filius,  ii.  9. 
[Works,  i.].  I'll  warrant  he  has  been 
SPUNGING  a  Morning's  Draught  out  of  the 
Poor's  Box. 

1727.  SWIFT,  Richmond  Lodge  and 
Marble  Hill.  Here  wont  the  Dean,  when 
he's  to  seek,  To  SPUNGE  a  breakfast  once  a 
week. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  (1812),  in. 
iii.  '  Gil  Bias,'  said  he,  '  who  is  that  tall 
SPUNGER  in  whose  company  I  saw  thee  to- 
day. 

1762.  GOLDSMITH,  Citizen  of  the 
World,  xxvii.  They  SPUNGED  up  my  money 
while  it  lasted,  borrowed  my  coals  and 
never  paid  for  them,  and  cheated  me  when 
I  played  at  cribbage. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [RouT- 
LEDGE],  89.  We  went  there  .  .  .  both  in 
ecstasy  at  having  an  opportunity  of  SPUNG- 
ING on  a  citizen.  Ibid.  (174).  One  of  your 
shabby  fellows  always  SPUNGING  on  his 
friends. 

1814.  AUSTEN,  Mansfield  Park,  x. 
'  What  else  have  you  been  SPUNGING,'  said 
Maria. 

1843.  CARLETON,  New  Purchase,  n. 
240.  These  preachers  dress  like  big  bugs, 
and  go  riding  about  on  hundred-dollar 
horses,  A-SPUNGIN'  poor  priest-ridden  folks. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Book  of  Snobs, 
xxi.  Bull  passes  the  season  in  London, 
SPONGING  for  dinners,  and  sleeping  in  a 
garret  near  his  club. 

1849-61.  MACAULAV,  Hist.  Eng.,  ii. 
From  all  the  brothels,  gambling-houses, 
and  SPUNGING-HOUSES  of  London,  false 
witnesses  poured  forth  to  swear  away  the 
lives  of  Roman  Catholics. 

1862.  BROWNE,  Artemus  Ward,  His 
Book  [Works  (1870),  51].  He  leaves  orf 
workin  .  .  .  and  commensis  SPUNGIN  his 
livin  out  of  other  people. 

1879.  Chambers'  Jo.,  July,  408.  He 
.  .  .  had  no  business  to  come  SPONGING  on 
Mr.  King. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Good-Night, 
i.  You  SPONGES  miking  round  the  pubs. 

TO  THROW  UP  THE  SPONGE, 
verb.  phr.  (orig.  technical :  now 
general). — To  acknowledge  de- 


Sponge-wit. 


320 


Spoon. 


feat.    [The  sponge  used  in  cleans- 
ing   a    combatant's     face     was 
chucked  up  in  sign  of  submission.] 
1899.     HYNE,     Further     Adv.      of 
Captain  Kettle,  vi.    Don't  THROW  UP  THE 
SPONGE  until  someone  else  does  it  for  you. 

SPONGE- WIT,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
plagiarist. 

SPOOF,  suds. (common). — Deception, 
a  swindle  :  also  the  SPOOF-GAME. 
Also  as  verb,  (or  TO  PLAY  SPOOF). 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  10.  Then 
'e  sets  the  gals  a-screaming  with  a  caper 
known  as  SPOOF,  Playing  monkey  games  on 
my  old  Uncle  John. 

SPOOK,  subs,  (colloquial). — A  ghost. 
Whence  SPOOKISH  (or  SPOOKY)  = 
ghostly. 

SPOON,  su/>s.  (common). — I.  A 
simpleton  :  spec,  an  absurd  whole- 
hearted lover  :  also  SPOONEY  ;  A 
RANK  SPOON  =  *  a  prating  shallow 
fellow'  (VAUX).  Hence  (2)  = 
calf-love  :  e.g.,  a  CASE  OF 
SPOONS.  As  verb.  (TO  COME  THE 

SPOON,  or   TO   BE  SPOONS  ON)  = 

to  make  love  openly,  innocently, 
and  ridiculously.  Also  SPOONY  = 
stupidly  fond  ;  SPOONINESS  = 
foolish  fondness  (GROSE,  VAUX, 
BEE). 

1837.  BARHAM,     Ingolds.     Leg.) 
'Witches'  Frolic.'      But  you'll    find  very 
soon,  if  you  aim  at  the  moon,  In  a  carriage 
like  that,  you're  a  bit  of  a  SPOON. 

1838.  BECKET,    Paradise   Lost,  67. 
And   I,  at  that  time  not  suspicious  .  .  . 
Suck'd  in  her  gammon  like  a  SPOONY. 

^.1845.  HOOD,  Morning  Meditations. 
A  man  that's  fond  precociously  of  stirring 
must  be  a  SPOON. 

1847.  BRONTE,  fames  Eyre,  xv.    In 
short  I   began   the  process  of  ruining  my- 
self in  the  received  style,   like  any  other 
SPOONIE. 

1848.  THACKERAY,     Vanity    Fair, 
xxxiv.     What  the  deuce  can  she  find  in 
that  SPO  »NEY  of  a  Pitt  Crawley  ?    .  .  . 
The  fellow  has  not  pluck  enough  to  say 
Bo  to  a  goose. 


1855.  TOM  TAYLOR,  Still  Waters, 
iii.  '  A  coolness,  a  self-possession  ...  I 
never  should  have  expected  from — from 

'  '  From  such  a  SPOON — that's    what 

you  mean,  isn't  it  ? ' 

1859.  LEVER,  Davenport  Dunn,  Ix. 
Not  actually  in  love  .  .  .  but  only  SPOONY. 

1863.  READE,  Hard  Cash,  Prol. 
What  a  good-natured  SPOON  that  Dodd  is  1 

1869.  Macnt,  Mag.,  Nov.,  65.  Yes, 
Captain  Waldron  averred,  he  was  a 
SPOONEY  ;  that  was  the  right  name  for  a 
man  who  let  himself  be  played  with  as  she 
had  played  with  him. 

1885.  HAWLEY  SMART,  Struck  Down 
xi.  A  girl  would  rather  make  her  way  out 
by  herself  than  with  a  fellow  she's  SPOONS 
on. 

1887.  HENLEY,   Culture  in   Slums. 
Was  it  not  prime— I  leave  you  all  to  guess 
How  prime  1  to  have  a  jude  in  love's  dis- 
tress Come  SPOONING  round. 

1888.  Harpers  Mag.,   Ixxviii.    749. 
I  ought  to  remember,  for  I  was  SPOONS  ON 
you  myself  for  a  week  or  two. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  38.  'Twas 
an  instance  ...  Of  the  danger  attending 
unlimited  SPOONS. 

Verb.  (American).  —  I.  To 
nestle;  to  lie  close;  and2.(venery). 
=  to  copulate  while  lying  SPOON - 
FASHION,  i.e.,  the  bowl  of  one 
spoon  in  the  other's. 

1888.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxvii.  49.  '  Now 
SPOON  me.'  Sterling  stretched  himself  out 
on  the  warm  flag-stone,  and  the  boy 
nestled  up  against  him.  Ibid.  (1886), 
Ixxiv.  781.  Two  persons  in  each  bunk,  the 
sleepers  SPOONING  together,  packed  like 
sardines. 

3.  (cricketers'). — To  hit  with 
a  '  slack  and  horizontal '  bat,  caus- 
ing the  ball  to  rise  in  the  air. 

PHRASES. — To  STICK  ONE'S 
SPOON  IN  THE  WALL  =  to  die ; 
see  HOP  THE  TWIG;  TO  FILL 

THE  MOUTH  WITH  EMPTY  SPOONS 
=  to  go  hungry  (RAY) ;  TO  TAKE 
WITH  A  BIG  (or  LITTLE)  SPOON  = 
to  take  in  large  (or  small)  quan- 
tities :  see  SILVER  SPOON,  and 
WOODEN  SPOON. 


Spoonage. 


321 


Sport. 


SPOONAGE,  subs.  (old). —  Liquid 
food;  PAP  (q.v.). 

1 586.  WARNER,  A  Ibions  England,  n. 
x.  And  suck  she  might  a  teat  for  teeth, 
And  SPOONAGE  too  did  faile. 

SPOONY  DRUNK,  adj.  phr.  (com- 
mon).—Sentimentally  drunk :  see 
SCREWED. 

S  POO  RAN,  subs,  (venery).  — The 
pubic  hair  :  see  FLEECE. 

SPOOFS  (or  SPOOPSIE),  subs. 
(American).  —  A  simpleton  :  see 
BUFFLE.  SPOOPY  =  silly,  foolish. 

SPORT,  subs.(o\&). — I.  Copulation  : 

also  THE  SPORT  OF  VENUS  (or 
VENEREAL  SPORT).  Hence  as 

verb.  =  to  wanton  ;  SPORTIVE 
(or  SPORTFUL)  =  lecherous  ; 

SPORTSWOMAN  (or  SPORTING- 
PIECE)  ==  a  harlot ;  SPORTSMAN 
=  a  MUTTONMONGER  (q.V.*)  ; 

SPORTSMAN'S  GAP  =  the  female 
pudendum;  SPORTSMAN'S  TOAST 
=  *  pointer  and  stubble ' ;  &c. 

1570.  Marr.  Wit  and  Science  [Dons- 
LEY,  Old  Plays  (1874),  ii.  326].  What 
though  I  be  too  young  to  show  her  SPORT 
in  bed,  Yet  there  are  many  in  this  land  that 
at  my  years  do  wed. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Taming  q/  the 
Shrew,  ii.  i,  263.  Let  Kate  be  chaste,  and 
Dian  SPORTFUL.  Ibid.  (1597),  Richard 
///.,  i.  i.  I,  that  am  not  shaped  for 
SPORTIVE  tricks.  Ibid.  (1598),  Sonnets, 
cxxi.  Why  should  others'  false  adulterate 
eyes  Give  salutation  to  my  SPORTIVE  blood  ? 
Ibid.  (1602,)  Othello,  ii.  i,  230.  When  the 
blood  is  made  dull  with  the  ACT  OF  SPORT. 
Ibid.,  ii.  3,  17.  He  hath  not  yet  made 
wanton  the  night  with  her,  and  she  is  SPORT 
for  Jove.  Ibid.  (1603),  Measure  for  Meas. , 
iii.  2.  Ere  he  would  have  hanged  a  man 
for  the  getting  a  hundred  bastards,  he 
would  have  paid  for  the  nursing  a  thousand: 
he  had  some  feeling  of  the  SPORT. 

c.i6oo.  JONSON,  Frag.  Petron.  Ar- 
biter Translated.  Doing,  a  filthy  plea- 
sure is,  and  short  ;  And  done,  we  straight 
repent  us  of  the  SPORT. 


239- 


_i62i.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.  II T 
in.  i.  2.  When  ...  he  did  not  play  the 
man  as  he  should  do,  she  fell  in  league 
with  a  good  fellow,  and  whilst  he  sat  up 
late  at  his  study  ...  she  ...  continued 
at  her  SPORT. 

1629.  MASSINGER,  Picture,  iii.  6. 
This  ring  was  Julietta's,  a  fine  piece,  But 
very  good  at  the  SPORT. 

1673.  COTTON,  Scoffer  Scofft  [1770], 
He  comes  i'  th'  middle  of  their  SPORT 
.  .  .  Took  the  poor  Lovers  in  the  Manner. 

1700.  DRYDEN,  Wife  of  Bath's  Tale. 
The  widow's  wish  was  oftentimes  to  wed  ; 
The  wanton  maids  were  all  for  SPORT 
a-bed. 

^.1704.  BROWNE,  Works,  ii.  204.  An 
old  fornicatrix,  who  can  part  with  her 
money  as  freely  at  one  SPORT  as  she  got  it 
at  another. 

£.1709.  WARD,  T—  B 's  Last  Letter. 

If  ...  you  have  not  the  gjft  of  continence 
.  .  .  match  your  cock  with  the  next  fair 
SPORTSWOMAN  you  meet.  Ibid.  (^.1731), 
Terrafilius,  v.  25.  Good  enough  to 
solemnize  her  VENEREAL  SPORTS  upon  a 
tavern  chair.  Ibid.,  27.  She  is  of  the  true 
colour  for  the  SPORT  OF  VENUS.  Ibid., 
Infernal  Vision,  in.  Or  Money  gained 
admission  to  her  Beard  .  .  .  What  she  first 
thought  on't,  How  she  lik'd  the  SPORT  ? 
Whether  it  pleas'd  her  well,  or  if  it  hurt  ? 

1740.  RICHARDSON,  Pamela,  ii.  35. 
A  poor  SPORTING-PIECE  for  the  great. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer,  4. 
In  England,  if  you  trust  report,  Whether 
in  country,  town  or  court,  The  parsons 
daughters  make  best  SPORT. 

£.1796.  M9RRIS,  The  Plenipotentiary. 
As  he  knew  in  our  state  that  the  women 
have  weight,  He  chose  one  well-hung  for 
the  SPORT,  sirs. 

2.  (turf,  &c.). — A  professional 
sportsman  :  a  pugilist,  book- 
maker, jockey,  &c.  :  also  SPORT- 
ING-MAN. Whence  SPORTING- 
HOUSE  =  a  public-house  frequented 
by  sportsmen. 

1877.  New  York  Tribune,  April.  I 
know  two  or  three  thousand  SPORTS  float- 
ing now  on  the  sea  of  adversity. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  50. 
Those  were  the  days,  my  boy  .  .  .  every 
SPORT  with  stuff  in  his  pockets,  and  lots  of 
good  clothes. 

2.  (colloquial).  —  Mischief  ; 
horseplay. 


Sport. 


322 


Spot. 


Verb.  (old).  —  Generic  for  dis- 
play :  *  the  word  .  .  .  was  in  great 
vogue  in  ...  1783  and  1784' 
(GROSE)  ;  now-a-days  still  general, 
but  spec,  a  public  school  and 
university  usage.  Thus  TO  SPORT 
(or  BAULK)  a  report  =  to  publish 
far  and  wide  ;  TO  SPORT  (  =  drive) 
A  GIG;  TO  SPORT  (=  wear)  NEW 
TOGS  ;  TO  SPORT  IVORY  =  togrin  ; 
TO  SPORT  (  =  exhibit)  TEMPER  ;  TO 
SPORT  OAK  (TIMBER,  or  TO  SPORT 
IN)  =  to  deny  oneself  to  callers 
by  closing  an  outer  door  :  see 
OAK  ;  TO  SPORT  AN  ^GROTAT  (  see 
^EGROTAT)  ;  TO  SPORT  OFF  =  to 
do  with  ease  ;  TO  SPORT  (  =  pro- 
vide) A  DINNER  ;  TO  SPORT 
LITERATURE  =  to  write  a  book  ; 
TO  SPORT  (=  spend)  MONEY, 
ONE'S  SALARY,  &c.  ;  TO  SPORT  (  = 
express)  AN  OPINION  ;  TO  SPORT 
A  NESCIO  (see  NESCIO)  ;  TO  SPORT 
SILK  (racing)  =  to  ride  a  race  ;  TO 
SPORT  (  =  indulge  or  engage  in) 

SMOKING,     WALKING,    &C. 

Whence  (Winchester)  A  SPORTING 
ACTION  =  an  affected  manner,  ges- 
ture or  gait,  or  a  betrayal  of  emo- 
tion. [Cf.  SPORT  (var.  dial.)  = 
to  show,  to  exhibit.]  SPORTINGS 
(Charterhouse)  =  clothes  worn  at 
the  EXEAT  (g.v.). 

1794.  Gent.  Mag:.,  1085.  They  [at 
Cambridge]  SPORTED  an  yEgrotat,  and  they 
SPORTED  a  new  coat. 


-._  HONE,  Ev.-Day  Book,  Feb., 
22.  Shutting  my  room  door,  as  if  I  was 
SPORTED  IN,  and  cramming  Euc. 

1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford  (1854), 
29.  Paul,  my  ben  cull  ...  I  doesn't  care 
if  I  SPORTS  you  a  glass  of  port. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Book  of  Snots, 
xx.  Beaux  ...  of  society  who  SPORT  a 
lace  dickey  and  nothing  besides. 

1853.  MRS.  GASKELL,  Cranford,  i. 
By-and-by,  Captain  Brown  SPORTED  a  bit 
of  literature. 

1850.  KINGSLEY,  Geof.  Hamlyn,  xxxi. 
I  took  him  for  a  flash  overseer,  SPORTING 
HIS  SALARY,  and  I  was  as  thick  as  you  like 
with  him. 


1882.  Punch,  Ixxxii.  147,  2.  Anybody 
can  enter  here  who  chooses  to  SPORT  his 
blunt. 

1885.  D.  Chron.,  28  Dec.  Duly 
qualified  by  age  TO  SPORT  SILK  and  satin  on 
the  public  racecourse. 

rf.x8ga  J.  H.  NEWMAN,  Works  [Cen- 
tury], A  man.  .  .  must  SPORT  AN  OPINION 
when  he  really  had  none  to  give. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  246. 
For  two  days  those  fellows  SPORTED  it  on 
that  dollar. 

1896.  FARJEON,     Betray,    of  John 
Fordham,  in.  279.     Louis  had  plenty  of 
money  to  SPORT  ;  e'd  been  backin'  winners. 

1897.  MARSHALL,    Pomes,   46.     She 
SPORTED  her  number  one  gloss  on  her  hair, 
And  her  very  best  blush   on  her  cheek. 
f tut..  66.     That  O.  P.  fairy  .  .  .  SPORTS  a 
real  diamond  ring. 

1900.  TOD,  Charterhouse,  102.  The 
iplendour  of  Exeat  garb  defies  description. 
It  is  enough  to  say  that  the  Carthusian's 
apparel  then  is  as  costly  as  his  purse  will 
buy,  and  that  he  calls  it  SPORTINGS. 

SPOT,  subs,  (venery). — I.  The  fe- 
male pudendum :  see  MONOSYL- 
LABLE. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.ti.  x.  18. 
They  hide  that  tempting  SPOT,  That  caus'd 
old  Adam's  Fall. 

2.  (American).  —  Shares     (or 
goods)   ready  for  delivery :   that 
is  'on  the  SPOT.' 

1902.  D.  Mail,  17  Nov.,  2,  2.  The 
quotation  for  two  months'  forward  delivery 
declined  i-i6d.  to  22  n-i6d.,  but  was  un- 
changed at  22|d.  for  SPOT. 

3.  (American    gaming).  —  A 
dollar  :     e.g. ,    FIVE    SPOT  =  five 
dollars  ;  $5. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  246. 
But  one  single  dollar  remained  of  that 

FIVE  SPOT. 

Verb,  (colloquial).  —  I.  To 
recognise;  to  take  note  of;  to 
discover.  Also  2.  (thieves')  =  to 
detect,  to  come  upon :  hence 
SPOTTER  =  a  detective  :  Fr.  indi- 
cateur:  whence  SPOTTED  =  known 
to  the  police  (TuFTS,  1791) ;  and 


Spotted-dog. 


323 


Spout. 


3.  (racing)  =  to  pick  out,  to  choose, 
to  chance  upon  :  e.g.y  TO  SPOT 

THE  WINNER. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lend.  Lab.,  i. 
484.  At  length  he  became  SPOTTED.  The 
police  got  to  know  him,  and  he  was  appre- 
hended, tried,  and  convicted. 

1857.  M.  Chron.,  22  June.  Having 
met  with  tolerable  success  in  SPOTTING  the 
winners. 

1861.  HOLMES,  Elsie  Venner,  xxi. 
The  Widow  Leech  .  .  .  rang  three  times 
.  .  .  but  all  in  vain  ;  the  inside  Widow 
having  SPOTTED  the  outside  one  through 
the  blinds. 

1877.  Five  Years'  Penal  Servitude, 
i.  33.  The  officer  SPOTTED  him  directly, 
and  .  .  .  would  mark  him  for  the  atten- 
tion of  someone  else. 

1885.  Fieldt  4  Ap.  The  hounds 
SPOTTED  him,  and  he  became  food  and 
trophy  two  minutes  later. 

1896.  FARJEON,  John  Fordham, 
m.  279.  The  minute  I  saw  'm  I  SPOTTED 
wot  they  wos  up  to. 

1898.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  v.  I've 
SPOTTED  her  many  a  time  when  she  didn't 
think  I  was  lookin'. 

1902.  Free  Lance,  19  July,   377,   i. 
To  hear  you  laugh  is  as  good  as  SPOTTING 

A  WINNER. 

1903.  Punch's  Almanack,  12,  i.     B. 
P.  gives  a  thrilling  example  of  experiment 
on  this  line.     Got  up  a  tree  and  watched 
how  many  passers-by  SPOTTED  him. 

4.  (common). — To  gamble. 

PHRASES  AND  COMBINATIONS. 
— A  SOFT  SPOT  =  an  easy,  com- 
fortable, or  desirable  berth,  thing, 
or  circumstance:  see  HUNT  ;  TO 
KNOCK  SPOTS  OUT  OF  (see 
KNOCK)  ;  ON  (or  OFF)  THE  SPOT 
=  alert,  dead  certain  ;  IN  SPOTS 
=  by  snatches ;  TO  HAVE  A  VA- 
CANT SPOT  =  to  be  crazy. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Straight 
Tip.  Palm  and  be  always  ON  THE  SPOT. 

SPOTTED- DOG, subs. phr.  (common). 
— I.  A  plum  or  currant  dumpling: 
SPOTTED  DONKEY  =  plum  pud- 
ding ;  and  2.  (military)  a  sausage 
or  saveloy. 


SPOTTED  MYSTERY,  subs.  phr. 
(military).— Tinned  beef. 

SPOUT,  subs,  (common).  —  i.  A 
pawnbroker's  shoot  or  lift  from 
shop  to  store-room  ;  whence  (2) 
=  a  pawnbroker's.  As  verb.  = 
to  pawn;  UP  THE  SPOUT  (or 
SPOUTED)  =  pawned  :  in  America 
'  gone  where  the  WOODBINE  (q.v. ) 
twineth '  (GROSE  and  BEE).  Also 
UP  THE  SPOUT  =  imprisoned,  in 
hospital  (BEE). 

ENGLISH  SYNONYMS.  —  To 
blue  ;  to  bullock's-horn  (rhyming 
=  pawn);  to  flue  (or  put  up  the 
flue) ;  to  lay  up  in  lavender  ;  to 
lug ;  to  lumber  ;  TO  MOSKENEER 
(q.v.);  to  put  away;  to  send  to 
uncle's  ;  to  soak  ;  to  spout ;  to 
sweat ;  to  vamp  ;  to  warehouse. 

FRENCH  SYNONYMS. — Accra- 
cher  chez  sa  tante  ( =  UNCLE,  q. v. ) ; 
enclouer  ;  guinaliser. 

1837  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.,  n.  16. 
His  pockets,  no  doubt,  Being  turned  in- 
side out,  That  his  mouchoir  and  gloves 
may  be  put  UP  THE  SPOUT. 

1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown  at  Ox- 
ford, ii.  i.  The  dons  are  going  to  SPOUT 
the  college  plate. 

1864.  ART.  WARD,  A  mon%  the  Mor- 
mons [Works,  257].  Even  if  she  [the 
Goddess  of  Liberty]  don't  have  to  SPOUT 
the  gold  stars  in  her  head  band. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Straight 
Tip.  It's  UP  THE  SPOUT  and  Charley-wag. 

1889.  Notes  and  Queries,  7  S,  vii. 
56.  Pawnbrokers  .  .  .  before  SPOUTS  were 
adopted,  used  a  hook  to  lift  the  articles. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  71.  He 
asked  her  if  she'd  seen  his  watch  about  ; 
She  said  ...  'It  may  be  half-way  UP  THE 
giddy  SPOUT.' 

Verb,  (old).— To  talk,  speech- 
ify, or  declaim  for  effect  (GROSE, 
VAUX,andBEE).  Hence  SPOUTER 
=  (i)  a  mouthing  talker  ;  whence 
(2)  a  fourth-rate  speaker  or  actor. 
To  SPOUT  BILLY  =  to  earn  a  living 


Spout. 


324 


Spread. 


by  reciting  Shakspeare  in  tap- 
rooms (BEE)  ;  SPOUTING-CLUB 
=  'a  rehearsal  club'  (GROSE) ; 
IN  GREAT  SPOUT  =  noisy,  in  high 
spirits.  Also  TO  SPOUT  INK  = 
to  write  :  cf.  SLING  INK. 

1599.  NASHE,  Lenten  Stuffe  [GRO- 
SART,  Works,  v.  232].  Never  since  I 
SPOUTED  incke,  was  I  of  woorse  aptitude 
to  goe  thorow  with  such  a  mighty  March 
brewage  as  you  expect. 

1610.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER, 
Coxcomb,  iv.  4.  Pray  SPOUT  some  French, 
son. 

1673.  COTTON,  Scoffer  Scoff t  [1770], 
202.  His  mouth  will  one  day  be  a  SPOUT 
Of  Eloquence,  without  a  doubt. 

1771.  SMOLLETT,  Humph.  Clinker, 
'To  Sir  Watkin  Phillips,  30  April.'  Mr. 
Gwynn  .  .  do,  pray,  SPOUT  a  little  the 
Ghost  of  Gimlet. 

1781.  KNOX,  Liberal  Education,  20. 
Introduce  him  to  SPOUTING  clubs  or  dis- 
puting societies.  Ibid.  (1788),  Winter 
Evenings,  xxxii.  The  quoters  imitate 
parrots  or  professed  SPOUTERS  in  commit- 
ting words  only  to  memory  purposely  for 
the  sake  of  ostentation. 

1792.  Advt.  in  Dupes  of  Fancy 
[HOGG].  The  New  SPOUTERS'  Companion 
[Title]. 

1796.  REYNOLDS,  Fortune's  Fool,  iv. 
i.     In  the  garret  is  a  SPOUTING  author. 

1797.  D'ARBLAY,    Diary,    vi.    187. 
These  and  his  SPOUT  of  satire  are  mere 
quizziness. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  246.  Phenecia  prevailed  on  me 
to  repeat  the  lines  I  had  already  SPOUTED. 
Ibid.,  372.  The  major-domo,  a  great 
SPOUTER,  undertook  to  train  me  for  the 
stage. 

1814.  AUSTEN,  Mansfield  Park,  xiii. 
For  anything  of  acting,  SPOUTING,  reciting 
kind  I  think  he  has  always  a  decided  taste. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  1.  He  SPOUTS 
at  the  '  Ciceronian '  for  half  a  crown  a 
night. 

e  1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg., '  Milk- 
maid s  Story.'  With  scorn  on  her  lip,  And 
a  hand  on  each  hip,  SPOUT  herself  till  her 
nose  grew  red  at  the  tip. 

1858.  MURSELL,  Lecture  on  Slang. 
When  a  man  speaks,  he  SPOUTS  ;  when  he 
holds  bis  peace,  he  shuts  up. 


1886.  D.  Telegraph,  12  Jan.  The 
women's  rights  agitator,  the  platform 
SPOUTER  in  petticoats.  '  Ibid.,  9  Feb. 
Listening  to  the  more  forcible  than  polite 
SPOUTINGS  of  rabid  '  fair  traders '  and 
Socialists.  Ibid.,  14  Oct.  While  SPOUT- 
ING the  most  intolerant  rubbish  that  can 
be  endured. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  87.  She 
blewed  it  on  a  gent  who  SPOUTED  in  the 
Park. 

1903.  Morning  Advertiser,  4  Feb. 
SPOUTING  agitators  who  never  did  a 
honest  day's  work  in  their  lives. 

SPOUTER,    subs,    (nautical). — See 
quot.  and  SPOUT. 


1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  Nov., 
14.  The  SPOUTER,  as  the  sailors  call  a 
whaleman,  had  .  .  .  made  signal  for  us  to 
heave  to.  Ibid.,  8  Sep.  One  .  .  .  had 
been  in  a  SPOUTER,  and  of  course,  had  all 
the  whaling  stories  to  himself. 

SPRAT,    subs,    (common). — i.    See 
quots. 

1857.  SNOWDEN,  Mag.  Assist.  (3rd 
edj,  444.  Sixpence,  downer,  also  SPRAT. 

1857.  M.  Chron.,  2  Dec.  Several 
Lascars  were  charged  with  passing  SPRATS, 
the  slang  term  applied  to  spurious  four- 
penny  pieces,  sixpences,  and  shillings. 

1898.  Sporting  Times,  19  Feb.,  i,  5. 
I  don't  mean  lunch  with  only  two  and  a 
SPRAT  in  my  clothes ;  have  a  drink  ? 

2.  (common). — A  sweetheart  : 
cf.  BLOATER,  DUCK,  PIPPIN,  &c. 

3.  (common).— In  //.  =  furni- 
ture ;    effects  :    cf.     MARBLES, 
STICKS,  &c. 

4.  (old).  —  An    undersized    or 
mean-looking    man    or    boy ;    a 
SCARECROW  (q.v.)  :    also   JACK 
SPRAT  (y.v.). 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  All's  Well,  iii.  6, 
112.  When  his  disguise  and  he  is  parted, 
tell  me  what  a  SPRAT  you  shall  find  him. 

SPREAD,  subs,  (colloquial).— i.  A 
meal ;  a  feast. 

1827.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.,  n. 
Si.  After  giving  one  SPREAD,  With 
hddhng  and  masques  at  the  Saracen's 
Head. 


Spread. 


325 


Spread-eagle. 


1848.  MRS.  GASKELL,  Mary  Barton, 
ix.  We  had  such  a  SPREAD  for  breakfast 
as  th'  Queen  herself  might  ha'  sitten  down 
to. 

1873.  GREENWOOD,  In  Strange  Com- 
pany. Next  day  I  was  present  at  a 
SPREAD  at  the  Mission  Hall  of  a  much 
more  gratifying  description. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  ii.  'E 
didn't  even  give  me  an  invite  To  'is  New 
Year's  SPREAD. 

2.  (old).—  Butter  (GROSE  and 
VAUX  :  cf.  SCRAPE. 

3.  (old).—  An  umbrella  (GROSE). 

4.  (common).  —  A  lady's  shawl 

(HOTTEN). 

5.  (Old    Cant).  —  A    saddle 
(TUFTS,  1798). 

6.  (Stock    Exchange).  —  An 
option  ;  a  STRADDLE  (q.v.\ 

Verb,  (venery).  —  To  open  up 
(of  women),  or  to  lay  out  (of  men) 
for  SERVICE  (q.v.~). 

1692.  DRYDEN,  Juvenal,  vi.  Many 
a  fair  nymph  has  in  a  cave  been  SPREAD, 
And  much  good  love,  without  a  feather- 
bed. Ibid.  What  care  our  drunken  dames 
to  whom  they  SPREAD  ? 

TO     SPREAD     ONESELF,     verb. 

phr.    (American).  —  To    push,   to 
come  out  strong,   TO  SWAGGER 


1832.  LONGSTREET,  Southern 
Sketches  [BARTLETT].  Hoss  Allen  moun- 
ted the  balcony  of  the  hotel,  and  rolling  up 
his  sleeves,  SPREAD  HIMSELF  for  an  un- 
usually brilliant  effort. 

1848.  HAMMOND,  Wild  Northern 
Scenes,  266.  We  despatched  Cullen  to 
prepare  a  dinner.  He  had  promised  .  .  . 
TO  SPREAD  HIMSELF  in  the  preparation  of 
this  meal. 

1876.  CLEMENS,  Tom  Sawyer,  46. 
At  school,  on  great  occasions  before  com- 
pany, the  Superintendent  .  .  .  had  always 
made  this  boy  come  out  and  SPREAD  HIM- 
SELF. 

1887.  FRANCIS,  Saddle  and  Mo- 
cassin. For  the  benefit  of  the  tenderfoot 

he  SPREAD   HIMSELF. 


SPREAD-EAGLE,  subs. phr.  (old). — i. 
A  posture :  arms  (wings  or  fins) 
and  legs  extended :  e.g.,  a  soldier 
lashed  to  the  halberts  (GROSE),  or 
a  sailor  to  the  rigging  ;  a  fowl  split 
down  the  back  for  broiling ;  fish 
split  and  laid  out  to  dry  ;  and  (2) 
a  figure  in  skating  imitating  the 
heraldic  'Eagle  displayed'  \i.e., 
with  wings  and  legs  extended  on 
each  side  of  the  body].  As  verb. 
—  (i)  to  tie  up  for  punishment ; 
(2)  to  prepare  poultry  or  fish  for 
broiling  or  drying ;  and  (3)  in 
racing  to  scatter  the  FIELD  (q.v.). 

</.i7oi.  DRYDEN,  Post.  History  of  the 
League,  n.  469.  A  kind  of  SPREAD-EAGLE 
plot  was  hatched,  with  two  heads  growing 
out  of  the  same  body. 

1835.  DANA,  Two  Years,  xv. 
Answer  my  question,  or  I'll  make  a 
SPREAD  EAGLE  of  you  !  I'll  flog  you,  by 
G — d !  .  .  .  SPREAD  EAGLES  were  a  new 
kind  of  bird  in  California. 

1885.  D.  Chron.,  27  Oct.  Caltha 
SPREAD-EAGLED  her  field  a  long  way  from 
home. 

1887.  Notes  and  Queries,  7  S.,  iv. 
278.  Cod — as  well  as  haddock  and  ling 
.  .  .  may  be  seen  SPREAD-EAGLED  across 
transverse  sticks  to  dry. 

1900.  KENNARD,  Right  Sort}  xxv. 
Young  Rassington's  horse  shot  out  like  an 
arrow  from  a  bow,  and  SPREAD-EAGLING 
his  field  in  a  style  not  often  seen. 

2.    (Stock     Exchange).  —  See 
quots. 

18  [?].  HUNT,  Merck.  Mag.  (Century). 
This  term  [SPREAD  EAGLE]  is  frequently 
used  among  stock  speculators.  A  broker, 
satisfied  with  small  profits  .  .  .  sells  say 
one  hundred  shares  Eric  Railroad  stock  at 
fifty-eight,  buyer  sixty  days,  and  at  the 
same  time  buys  the  same  quantity  at  fifty- 
seven,  seller  sixty  days.  The  difference 
is  ...  one  per  cent,  which  would  be  so 
much  profit,  without  any  outlay  of 
capital,  provided  both  contracts  run  their 
full  time.  Having  sold  buyer's  option 
sixty  days,  and  bought  seller's  option  sixty 
days,  the  time  is  equal,  but  ...  he  does 
not  control  the  option  in  either  case.  The 
buyer  can  call  when  he  pleases,  which  will 
compel  the  SPREAD-EAGLE  operator  to  de- 
liver ;  and  the  seller  may  deliver  any  time, 


Spree. 


326 


Sprig. 


which  would  compel  the  broker  to  receive. 
If  he  had  capital  to  carry  the  result  would 
not  differ  from  that  anticipated  ;  if  not  he 
may  be  caught  in  a  tight  place. 

1882.  BIDDLE,  Stockbrokers,  74. 
SPREAD  EAGLE  is  where  a  broker  buys  a 
certain  stock  at  seller's  option,  and  sells 
the  same  at  seller's  option  within  a  certain 
time,  on  the  chance  that  both  the  contracts 
may  run  the  full  time,  and  he  gain  the 
difference. 

Adj.  (American). — Bombastic  ; 
espec.  in  reference  to  national 
vanity.  Whence  SPREAD-EAGLE- 
ISM =  patriotic  brag.  As  verb.  = 
to  play  the  good  American  till  all 
is  split. 

1858.  N.  Am.  Rev.,  Oct,  SPREAD- 
EAGLE  style — a  compound  of  exaggeration, 
effrontery,  bombast  and  extravagance, 
mixed  metaphors,  platitudes,  defiant 
threats  thrown  at  the  world,  and  irreverent 
appeals  flung  at  the  Supreme  Being. 

1871.  LOWELL,  Study  Windows,  375. 
We  Yankees  are  thought  to  be  fond  of  the 

SPREAD-EAGLE  Style. 

1873.  Hist.  Mag.,  Sept.,  'Rev.  of 
Mission  of  N.  Amer.  People.'  A  very  sin- 
gular [volume]  .  .  .  with  very  much  of  that 
slam -bang,  SPREAD-EAGLE  literature  which 
has  made  George  Francis  Train  so  notorious 
the  world  over. 

1884.  CLEMENS,  Huck.  Finn.    Read 
the  parts  over  in  the  most  splendid  SPREAD- 
EAGLE  way. 

1885.  D.  Tel.,  29  Nov.    A  fact  re- 
sented by  the  SPREAD-EAGLEISM    of  the 
place  in  journalistic  leaders. 

1887.  Fort.  Rev.,  N.  S.,  XLI.  330. 
When  we  talk  of  SPREAD-EAGLEISM,  we 
are  generally  thinking  of  the  United  States. 

SPREE,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  frolic. 
As  verb.  —  to  carouse ;  SPREEISH 
=  drunkish  :  see  SCREWED 
(GROSE  and  BEE). 

1821.  EGAN,  Life  in  London,  n.  v. 
Roosters  and  the  '  peep-o'-day  boys  '  were 
out  on  a  prowl  for  a  SPREE. 

1825.  SCOTT,  St.  Roman's  Well,  xx. 
John  Blower,  honest  man,  as  sailors  are 
aye  for  some  SPREE  or  another,  wad  take 
me  ance  to  see  ane  Mrs.  Siddons. 

1844.  Puck,  14.  The  Proctor  caught 
him  in  a  SPREE,  Asked  his  name  .  .  .  with 
courtesie. 


1847.  Ireland  Sixty  Years  Ago,  15. 
The  SPREE  would  probably  have  ended  in 
the  total  sacking  of  Flattery's  house. 

1852.  JUDSON,  Myst.,  &*c.,  of  New 
York,  i.  113,  Taking  a  cruise  about  town, 
or  going  on  a  SPREE. 

1856.  Dow,  Sermons,  ...  If  a 
young  man  creates  his  own  ruination  by 
going  it  loose  and  SPREEING  it  tight,  it  is 
surely  a  disgrace. 

1859.  Punch,  xxxvii.  22.  Our  friend 
prone  to  vices  you  never  may  see,  Though 
he  goes  on  the  loose,  the  cut,  or  the  SPREE. 

1866.  WINTHROP,  Love  and  Skates. 
He  ...  took  to  SPREEIN'  and  liquor,  and 
let  down  from  a  foreman  to  a  hand. 

1871.  All  Year  Round,  Sep.  Out 
on  the  rampage,  the  loose,  or  the  SPREE. 

1885.  D.  Tel.,  16  Nov.  He  was 
always  of  the  devil-may-care  sort,  fond  of 
SPREEING  about  and  lively  company. 

1892.  KIPLING,  Barrack  Room  Bal- 
lads, '  Gentlemen  Rankers."  Gentlemen 
rankers  out  on  the  SPREE,  Damned  from 
here  to  eternity. 

Adj.  (Winchester).  —  i.  Con- 
ceited ;  stuck-up ;  of  persons  ;  (2) 
smart,  stylish,  befitting  a  Wyke- 
hamist. SPREE-MESS  (see  quot. 
c.i  840). 

£.1840.  MANSFIELD,  School  Life  (1866), 
72.  At  the  end  of  the  half-year  we  used  to 
have  large  entertainments  called  SPREE- 
MESSES,  between  Toy-time  and  Chapel, 
consisting  of  tea,  coffee,  muffins,  cakes, 
&c.,  the  funds  for  which  were  generally 
provided  by  fines  inflicted  during  Toy-time 
for  talking  loud,  slamming  the  door,  coming 
in  without  whistling  (to  show  that  it  was 
not  a  Master  entering),  improper  language, 
&c.,  &c.  Sometimes  a  SPREE-MESS  was 
given  by  the  boys  about  to  leave  that  Half. 

1881.  PASCOE,  Public  Schools.  De- 
prive a  Wykehamist  of  words  .  .  .  such 
as  quill  .  .  .  pruff  .  .  .  SPREE  .  .  .  cad 
.  .  .  And  his  vocabulary  becomes  limited. 

SPRIG,  subs,  (common). — A  young 
dandy  ;  any  well-groomed  young- 
ster. 
1637.     SHIRLEY,  Hyde  Park,  i.  i.     A 

SPRIG  of  the  nobility,  That  has  a  spirit 

equal  to  his  fortunes. 

1812.  COOMBE,  Dr.  Syntax  in  Search 
of  Picturesque,  xix.  An  arch  young 
SPRIG,  a  banker's  clerk. 


Spring. 


327 


Sprung. 


SPRING,  verb,  (colloquial). — (i)  To 
bring  to  notice  suddenly ;  (2)  to 
pay  out,  to  give  alms ;  (3)  to 
provide  ;  and  (4)  to  extort.  To 
SPRING  TO  =  to  be  able  to  accom- 
plish, pay,  give,  &c.,  &c. 

1614.  JONSON,  Barthol.  Fair,  v.  3. 
I  may,  perhaps,  SPRING  a  wife  for  you 
anon. 

rf.i7oi.  DRYDEN,  Ovid,  x.  [CHALMERS, 
Eng.  Poet.,  xx.  511,  2,  i].  Surprised  with 
fright,  She  starts,  and  leaves  her  bed,  and 
SPRINGS  a  light. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  i. 
53.  It's  a  feast  at  a  poor  country  labourer's 
place  when  he  SPRINGS  sixpenn'orth  of 
fresh  herrings. 

1878.  J.  F.  SULLIVAN,  The  British 
Working  Man,  &>c.  Wot's  'e  SPRUNG? 

1885.  D.  Tel.,  21  Nov.  Such  a  man 
is  not  likely  to  SPRING  UPON  his  associates 
and  allies  a  scheme  of  English  surrender 
to  Irish  demands. 

1901.  Troddles  and  Us,  106.  It's 
seven  pound  fifteen,  and  we  can  SPRING  TO 
that  between  us. 

SPRINGAL  (SPRING  or  SPRINGER), 
subs.  (old). — A  youth. 

1535-  COVERDALE,  Tr.  Bible  [OLi- 
PHANT,  Neva  Eng.,  i.  443.  Among  his 
Romance  phrases  Coverdale  has  .  .  . 
SPRYNGALD  (juvenis).] 

^.1555.  LATIMER,  Sermons,  190  b. 
Joseph  when  he  was  sold  to  Potiphar  .  .  . 
was  a  faire  young  SPRINGALL. 

1570.  LEVINS,  Manip.  Vocab.  [E.  E. 
T.  S.],  16.  A  SPRINGALD,  adolescens. 

1578.  NORTH,  Plutarch,  90  E.  He 
commaunded  the  women  to  departe,  and 
.  .  .  put  lusty  beardles  SPRINGALLES  into 
their  apparell. 

1585.  NOMENCLATOR,  Adolescens, 
...  Un  jouvenceau.  A  lad  ;  a  youth  ;  a 

SPRINGALL. 

1590.  SPENSER,  Muiopotmus,  292. 
The  one  his  bowe  and  shafts,  the  other 
SPRING  A  burning  Teade  about  his  head 
did  move.  Ibid.  (1596),  Fairy  Queen,  v. 
v.  6.  Amongst  the  rest  .  .  .  There  came 
two  SPRINGALS  of  full  tender  years. 

1606.  WILY,  Beguiled  [HAWKINS, 
Orig.  Dr.,  iii.  332].  Pray  ye,  maid,  bid 
him  welcome  ...  he  is  a  good  proper 
SPRINGOLD. 


1611.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER,  Kn. 
of  Burning  Pestle,  ii.  2.  Sure  the  devil 
.  .  i.  is  in  this  SPRINGALD. 

1657.  MIDDLETON,  More  Dissemb. 
Beside  Women,  v.  i.  Ha,  well  done ! 
excellent  boy  1  dainty,  fine  SPRINGAL. 

1661.  DAVENPORT,  City  Night  Cap 
[DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (REED),  xi.  325]. 
That  lusty  SPRINGAL,  Millicent,  is  no 
worse  man  Than  the  duke  of  Milan's  son. 

1692.  DRYDEN,  Juvenal,  x.  Your 
SPRINGAL,  by  his  beauty  curst  .  .  .  His 
form  procures  him  journey-work  ;  a  strife 
Betwixt  town  madams  and  the  merchant's 
wife. 

SPRING-ANKLE  WAREHOUSE,  subs. 
phr.  (old). — A  prison:  spec. 
Newgate  (GROSE). 

SPRINGERS  (THE),  subs,  (military). 
— The  Lincolnshire  Regiment, 
formerly  The  loth  Foot:  the 
nickname  is  also  borne  by  the 
late  62nd  Foot. 

SPRINGER- UP,  subs.  phr.  (HOT- 
TEN). — A  slop-tailor.  SPRUNG- 
UP  CLOTHES  =  garments  '  blown ' 
together. 

SPRINKLE,  verb,  (colloquial). — To 
christen. 

SPROUT,  subs.  (American). — i.  A 
course  of  severe  discipline  ;  a 
birching.  Also  2.  (Yale)  =  a 
department  of  study — classics, 
mathematics,  &c.  ;  and  3.  (in  pi. ) 
=  a  bunch  of  twigs.  A  BUNCH 
OF  SPROUTS  =  (i)  the  closed  fist, 
and  (2)  the  chambers  of  a  revolver. 

SPRUG.  To  SPRUG  UP,  verb.  phr. 
(provincial). — To  dress  neatly  ; 
to  spruce. 

SPRUNG,  adj.  (common). — Drunk  : 
see  SCREWED. 

1856.  MRS.  STOWE,  Dred,  i.  87.  He 
reckoned  they  were  a  little  bit  SPRUNG. 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  i.  13.  Ex- 
Corporal  Whiston  with  his  friends  sallied 
from  the  store  vvell-SPRUNG. 


Sprunt. 


328 


Spy. 


SPRUNT.  To  SPRUNT  UP,  verb, 
phr.  (American). — To  bristle  up  ; 
to  resent  suddenly. 

SPRUSADO,  subs,  (nonce-word).— 
A  dandy. 

1665.  Com.  on  Chaucer  [Quoted  in 
TODD'S  JOHNSON].  The  answer  of  that 
SPRUSADO  to  a  judge  ...  a  rigid  censor  of 
men's  habits  ;  who,  seeing  a  neat,  finical 
divine  come  before  him  in  a  cloak  lined 
through  with  plush,  encountered  him. 

SPRY,  adj.  (American). — Active  ; 
lively;  SMART  (g.v.}. 

SPUD,  subs,  (common). — I.  A  po- 
tato: see  MURPHY.  HencespUDDY 
(costers')  =  a  baked-potato  man. 

1887.  Field,  12  Mar.  But  it  was 
evidently  a  'speed  the  plough,'  a  speed 
the  SPUDS,  and  the  seeds  day. 

IQOI.  Troddlesand  Us,xix.  Enough 
to  revolt  an  Irishman's  pig,  and  set  him 
against  SPUDS  for  the  rest  of  his  natural 
life. 

1901.  Sp.  Times,  27  Ap.,  i.  4.  Annie 
used  to  fetch  the  SPUDS  and  greens. 

2.  (common). — A  dwarf;    a 
short  thickset  person. 

3.  (nursery).— A  baby's  hand. 

4.  (American). — In//.  =  money: 
see  RHINO. 

5.  (common). — A  spade. 

SPUDGEL,  verb.  (American).— To 
decamp  :  see  ABSQUATULATE. 

SPUNK,  subs,  (old).— i.  Mettle; 
spirit;  pluck  (GROSE).  Hence 
SPUNKIE  (Scots)  =  (a)  a  plucky 
fellow,  a  lad  of  mettle  ;  and  (b)  a 
will  -  o'  -  the  -  wisp;  SPUNKY  = 
spirited;  TO  SPUNK  up  =  to  show 
fight. 

1772.  BRIDGES,    Burlesque   Homer ; 
262.     Whether  quite  sober  or  dead  drunk, 
I  know,  my  dear,  you've  too  much  SPUNK. 

1773.  GOLDSMITH,    She    Stoops    to 
Conquer,  i.  2.    The  Squire  has  got  SPUNK 
in  him. 


1784.  BURNS,  Jolly  Beggars,  Sir 
Violino,  with  an  air  That  show'd  a  man  of 
SPUNK.  Ibid.  (1786),  Address  to  the  Deil. 
An*  aft  your  moss-traversing  SPUNKIES, 
Decoy  the  wight  that  late  and  drunk  is. 
Ibid.  (^.1796),  Prayer  to  Sc.  Reps. 
Erskine,  a  SPUNKIE  Norland  billie. 

1789.  PARKER,  Happy  Pair  [FAR- 
MER, Musa  Pedestris  (1896),  68].  With 
SPUNK  let's  post  our  neddies. 

c.i  790.  Ireland  Sixty  Years  Ago,  88. 
We  saw  de  poor  fellow  was  funkin',  De 
drizzle  stole  down  from  his  eye,  Do  we 
tought  he  had  got  better  SPUNK  in. 

1796.  WOLCOT  ('Peter  Pindar'), 
Works,  i.  245.  In  that  snug  room  where 
any  man  of  SPUNK  Would  find  it  a  hard 
matter  to  get  drunk. 

1819.  MOORE,  Tom  Crib,  24.  His 
SPUNKIEST  backers  were  forced  to  sing 
small. 

1838.  BECKET,  Paradise  Lost,  n. 
They'll  show  more  SPUNK,  And  fight  much 
better  when  half  drunk. 

1853.  LANDOR,  I  mag.  Conv.  '  Wm. 
Penn  and  Lord  Peterborough.'  Grave 
dons  .  .  .  grown  again  as  young  and 
SPUNKY  as  undergraduates. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown,  67.  Par- 
sons is  men,  like  the  rest  of  us,  and  the 
doctor  had  got  his  SPUNK  up. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  143. 
I  admire  your  SPUNK  .  .  .  most  women 
faint  when  they  see  me. 

2.  (street  and  Scots).— In  pi. 
— matches.      SPUNK-FENCER = a 
match- vendor.     Hence = a  spark. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xi.  A 
SPUNK  o'  fire  in  the  red  room. 

3.  (venery). — The  seminal  fluid; 

METTLE  (q.V.). 

SPUR,  verb,  (thieves').— To  annoy. 
To  GET  THE  SPUR  =  to  be  an- 
noyed  :  see  NEEDLE. 

1877.  HORSLEY,  Jottings  from  Jail. 
The  only  thing  that  SPURRED  me  was  being 
such  a  flat  to  bring  them  home. 

SPY,  subs.  (old). — The  eye. 

1590.  SPENSER,  Fairy  Queen,  HI.  i. 
36.  With  her  two  crafty  SPYES  She  secretly 
would  search  each  daintie  lim. 

1609.  SHAKSPEARE,  Tempest,  v.  i. 
259.  If  these  be  true  SPIES  which  I  wear 
in  my  head,  here's  a  goodly  sight. 


Squab. 


329 


Squaddie. 


SQUAB, subs.  (old). — i.  Anything  fat, 
short,  and  dumpy.  Hence  (2)  a 
fat  sofa  or  well-filled  bed.  As  a#. 
(SQUABBY,  SQUADDY,  SQUATTY, 
SQUABBISH,  &c.)  =  fat  and  short, 
heavy,  bulky  (in  quot.  1756  = 
short,  abrupt). — GROSE.  As  verb. 
—  to  fall  heavily,  to  plump  down. 

T593-  GREENE,  News  front  Heaven 
and  Hell,  A  fatte  SQUADDY  monke  that 
had  been  well  fedde  in  some  cloyster. 

1666.  HARVEY,  Of  Consumption. 
Diet  makes  them  of  a  SQUABBISH  or  lardy 
habit  of  body. 

1675.  WYCHERLEY,  Country  Wife,  iv. 
3.  A  little  SQUAB  French  page  who  speaks 
no  English. 

1692.  L'EsTRANGE,  j&sop.  The 
eagle  took  the  tortoise  up  in  the  air,  and 
dropt  him  down,  SQUAB,  upon  a  rock. 

£.1708.  POPE,  Artemisia  [.CHALMERS, 
Eng.  Poets,  xii.  211].  'Artemisia.'  On 
her  large  SQUAB  you  find  her  spread,  Like 
a  fat  corpse  upon  a  bed. 

1712.  BETTERTON,  Miller  of  Trom- 
pington.  Nor  the  SQUAB  daughter  nor  the 
wife  were  nice. 

1714.  A  D  D  i  s  o  N,  Spectator •,  529. 
Seated  .  .  .  upon  a  SQUAB. 

1716.  POPE,  Letter,  '  To  Lady  M. 
W.  Montague,'  18  Aug.  We  shall  then 
see  how  the  prudes  of  this  world  owed  all 
their  fine  figure  only  to  their  being  a  little 
straiter  laced;  and  that  they  were  natu- 
rally as  arrant  SQUABS  as  those  that  went 
more  loose. 

1759.  GOLDSMITH,  Bee,  No.  2.  A 
French  woman  is  a  perfect  architect  in 
dress  .  .  .  She  never  tricks  out  a  SQUABBY 
Doric  shape  with  Corinthian  finery. 

1756.  WALPOLE,  To  Mann,  25  July, 
Hi.  125.  We  have  returned  a  SQUAB 
answer. 

1855.  GASKELL,  North  and  South, 
xii.  Bessie,  herself,  lay  on  a  SQUAB,  or 
short  sofa,  placed  under  the  window. 

1865.  MAJOR  DOWNING,  May-Day. 
I  had  hardly  got  seated  when  in  came  a 
great,  stout,  fat,  SQUADDY  woman. 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  ii.  ir.  Ladies 
in  ...  short  cloaks,  with  hoods  SQUAB- 
BING  behind. 

1883.  D.  Tel,  10  Sep.  The  SQUABBY 
stone  structure. 


2.    (colloquial). — An  inexperi- 
enced person ;    a    fledgling.     As 
adj.  —  CALLOW  (g.v.),  coy,  quiet. 
1635.     BROME,  Sparagus  Garden,  ii. 
2.     Brit.  Is  he  a  trim  youth  ?    Man.  We 
must  make  him   one,  Jacke ;    'tis  such  a 
SQUAB  .  .  .  such  a  lumpe. 

1689.  NAT.  LEE,  Princess  of  Cleves, 
iii.  i.  Your  demure  ladies  that  are  so 
SQUOB  in  company  are  devils  in  a  corner. 

^.1712.  W.  KING,  The  Old  Cheese 
[CHALMERS,  Eng.  Poets,  ix.  297.  Why 
must  old  pigeons,  and  they  stale,  be  drest, 
When  there's  so  many  SQUAB  ones  in  the 
nest. 

1781.  COWPER,  Prog,  of  Error,  218. 
Gorgonius  sits,  abdominous  and  wan,  Like 
a  fat  SQUAB  upon  a  Chinese  fan. 

Verb.  (King  Edward's  School, 
B'gham). — To  squeeze  by:  also 
SQUOB  :  with  foot  on  wall  or 
desk,  and  back  against  the  victim 
who  is  similarly  treated  on  the 
other  side,  or  pressed  against  the 
opposite  wall.  A!SOSQUAB-UP= 
to  push. 

SQUAB  ASH,  verb,  (old  colloquial). 
—To  crush.  As  subs.  —  a  flat- 
tening out  ;  SPIFLICATION  (q.V.). 

1827.  SCOTT,  Diary,  17  Jan.  His 
satire  .  .  .  SQUABASHED  at  one  blow,  a  set 
of  coxcombs  who  might  have  humbugged 
the  world  long  enough. 

1830.^  Intelligencer,  ii  Ap.  Com- 
pared with  the  sarcastic  irony  which 
SQUABASHES  poor  Mr.  Nicholas  Carlisle. 

1833.  M.  Advtr.,  i  July.  A 
SQUABASH  of  the  growing  incumbrance  of 
chivalrous  novels. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg., '  House 
Warming.'  Harry  the  Sixth  who,  instead 
Of  being  SQUABASHED,  as  in  Shakespeare 
we've  read,  Caught  a  bad  influenza,  and 
died  in  his  bed. 

SQUABBLED,  adj.  (printers'). — 
'  Broken ' :  of  type  which,  after 
'  setting,'  has  been  knocked  so 
much  awry  that  it  is  a  painstaking 
job  to  prevent  it  going  to  PI  (q.v.). 

SQUADDLE,  verb.  (American). — To 

decamp  ;       TO       ABSQUATULATE 


Squail. 


330 


Square. 


SQUAIL  (also  SQUAILER),  verb,  and 
subs  (old).—  &tf  quot.  1847.  Also 
SQUAWL. 

1651.  [HUNT,  Bristol,  quoted  in 
Notes  and  Queries,  7  S.,  iv.  169],  SQU AIL- 
ING a  goose  before  his  door,  and  tossing 
cats  and  dogs  on  Shrove  Tuesday. 

c.i6g6.     B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SQUAWL — To  throw  awry. 

1834.  SOUTHEY,  Doctor,  clxiv.  You 
SQUAIL  at  us  on  Shrove  Tuesday  .  .  .  and 
arm  us  with  steel  spurs  that  we  may 
mangle  and  kill  each  other  for  your  sport. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Arch.  Words,  s.v. 
SQUAIL.  To  throw  sticks  at  cocks. 
SQUAILER,  the  stick  thrown.  Mr.  Alter- 
man  says  SQWOILING  is  used  for  throwing, 
but  the  thing  thrown  must  be  some  mate- 
rial not  easily  managed  ;  with  a  stick 
sometimes  made  unequally  heavy  by  being 
loaded  with  lead  at  one  end.  SQUAILING 
is  often  very  awkwardly  performed,  be- 
cause the  thing  thrown  cannot  be  well 
directed  ;  hence  the  word  SQUAILING  is 
often  used  in  ridicule  of  what  is  done  awk- 
wardly, untowardly  or  irregularly  shaped. 
"  She  went  up  the  street  SQUAILINGI  her 
arms  about,  you  never  saw  the  like  : "  an 
ill  shaped  loaf  is  a  SQUAILING  loaf ;  Brent- 
ford is  a  long  SQUAILING  town  ;  and,  in 
Wiltshire,  Smithfield  Market  would  be 
called  a  SQUAILING  sort  of  a  place. — 
[Abridged]. 

1 88 1.  D.  Tel.,  30  Nov.  Now  that 
the  trees  are  bare  and  the  leaves  have 
fallen,  the  idlers  of  the  county  towns  may 
perhaps  sally  forth  armed  with  SQUAILERS, 
an  ingenious  instrument  composed  of  a 
short  stick  of  pliant  cane  and  a  leaded 
knob,  to  drive  the  harmless  little  squirrel 
from  tree  to  tree,  and  lay  it  a  victim  at  the 
feet  of  a  successful  shots. 

SQUALL,  suds.  (old). — A  girl. 

1593.  HOLYBAND,  Diet.  Tu  cs  un 
cainar,  thou  art  a  SQUALL. 

1607.  MIDDLETON,  Michcelmas 
Term,  L  2.  A  pretty,  beautiful,  juicy 

SQUALL. 

161 1.  COTGRAVE,  Diet. ,  s. v.  Obtseau, 
a  young  minx  or  little  proud  SQUALL. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works.  The  rich  gull 
gallant  Call's  her  deare  and  love,  Ducke, 
lambe,  SQUALL,  sweet-heart,  cony,  and  his 
dove. 

Verb.    (B.    E.).— 'To    cry    a 

loud.' 


TO  LOOK   OUT   FOR   SQUALLS, 

verb.  phr.  (colloquial). — To  be  on 
guard. 

SQUANTUM,  subs.  (American). — I. 
The  imaginary  name  of  a  place 
'  very  far  way  back '  from  whence 
rustics  and  HAYSEEDS  (q.v.) 
come.  Also  (2)  =  a  picnic. 

SQUARE,  adj. ,  verb. ,  and  adv. 
SQUARE,  like  ROUND  (q.v.),  has 
lived  many  lives  in  slang  :  in  fact, 
it  has  '  boxed  the  compass,'  and 
now  means  the  antipodes  of  what 
it  meant  in  Shakspeare's  time. 

Verb.  (old). — i.  To  disagree, 
to  quarrel  or  be  at  variance  :  hence 
SQUARER  =  a  quarreller ;  while 
OUT  OF  SQUARE  =  (I)  at  variance, 
and  (2)  dishonest ;  TO  BREAK  (or 
BREED)  SQUARES  =  to  give  offence; 
AT  SQUARE  =  angry,  at  enmity ; 
TO  SQUARE  UP  TO  =  to  assume 
a  fighting  attitude  (BEE)  ;  TO 

SQUARE  UP  AND  DOWN  =  to  Strut ; 
TO  SEE    HOW    SQUARES    GO  =  to 

watch  events,    *  to  see  how  the 
cat  will  jump.' 

1551.  State  Trials,  '  Gardiner,'  5 
Ed.  VI.  He  said  he  had  often  SQUARED 
WITH  me  but  he  loved  me  never  the  worse. 

I555-  R-  EDEN  to  Francisco  Lopez 
[First  Books  on  America  (ARBER),  346]. 
He  speaketh  not  greatly  OUT  OF  SQUARE. 

1577.  HOLINSHED,  Hist.  EngL,  iv. 
8.      She    falling    AT    SQUARE    with    hir 
husband. 

1578.  WHETSTONE,     Promos     and 
Cassandra,  ii.  4.     Marry,  She  knew  you 
and  I  were  AT  SQUARE  ;  At  least  we  fell  to 
blowes. 

1592.  SHAKSPEARE,  Mid.  Nighfs 
Dream,  ii.  i.  And  now,  they  never  meet 
.  .  .  But  they  do  SQUARE.  Ibid.  (1593), 
Tit.  And.,  ii.  i,  100.  Are  you  such  fools 
To  SQUARE  FOR  this.  Ibid.  (1600),  Much 
Ado,  i.  i,  82.  Is  there  no  young  SQUARER 
now  that  will  make  a  voyage  with  him  to 
the  devil.  Ibid.  (1608),  Anthony  and 
Cleop,,  iii.  ii.  Mine  honesty  and  I  begin 

TO  SQUARE. 


Square. 


331 


Square. 


1592.  GREENE,  Quip  for  Upst.  Cour- 
tier. To  SQUARE  it  UP  AND  DOWNE  the 
streets  before  his  mistresse. 

1594.  HOOKER,  Eccles.  Polity,  iii.  i. 
In  St.  Paul's  time  the  integrity  of  Rome 
was  famous ;  Corinth  many  ways  re- 
proved ;  they  of  Galatia  much  more  OUT 

OF   SQUARE. 

</.i6i2.  HARINGTON,  Epigrams,  \. 
37.  Once,  by  mishap,  two  poets  fell 

a-SQUARING. 

d.  1657.  BRADFORD,  Plymouth  Planta- 
tion, 269.  At  length  they  .  .  .  resolved 
to  send  Mr.  Winslow  .  .  .  into  England, 
TO  SEB  HOW  YE  SQUARS  WENTE. 

1696.  LESTRANGE,  ^Esop.  One  frog 
looked  about  him  TO  SEE  HOW  SQUARES 
WENT  with  their  new  king.  Ibid.  I  will 
BREAK  NO  SQUARES  whether  it  be  so  or 
not. 

1902.  D.  Mail,  13  Nov.,  3,  4.  The 
men  SQUARED  UP  to  each  other,  and 
Martin  struck  Drew  a  violent  biow  in  the 
face  which  felled  him. 

2.  (colloquial).— To  be  entirely 
in  agreement,  to  arrange,  to 
accommodate.  Whence  ON  (or 

UPON)  THE  SQUARE  (or  SQUARELY, 

adv. )  =  absolutely    dependable  ; 

ALL  SQUARE   (or   SQUARES)  =  all 

right ;  SQUARE  TO  (BY  THE 
SQUARE,  or  IN  SQUARE)  =  suit- 
able, exact,  in  amity  or  agree- 
ment ;  TO  KEEP  SQUARE  =  to  lead 
a  straight  life.  Also  in  combina- 
tion :  amongst  others,  SQUARE 
BACKDOWN  =  a  palpable  retreat ; 
SQUARE  PIECE  =  a  decent  girl ; 
SQUARE  ANSWER  =  an  unmistak- 
able reply ;  SQUARE  CLOBBER 
=  respectable  clothes ;  SQUARE 
CRIB  =  ' a  house  of  good  repute* 
(GROSE);  SQUARE  TATS  =  honest 
dice;  SQUARE  DRINKER  =  a  steady 
toper;  SQUARE  EATER  —  a  hearty 
feeder ;  SQUARE  THING  =  the 
truth  :  see  quot.  1785  :  also 
SQUARE  HEAD  (thieves')  =  an 
honest  man  ;  SQUARE  MEAL  =  a 
substantial  repast ;  SQUARE  PLAY 
=  fair  play  ;  SQUARE-RIGGED  = 
well-dressed,  &c.,  &c. 


1589.  PUTTENHAM,  Arte  of  Eng. 
Poesie  [ARBER],  113.  A  constant  minded 
man,  euen  egal  and  direct  on  all  sides,  and 
not  easily  ouerthrowne  by  euery  little 
aduersitie  ...  a  SQUARE  MAN. 

1604.  SHAKSPEARE,  Winters  Tale, 
v.  i.  O,  that  ever  I  Had  SQUARED  me 
to  thy  counsel.  Ibid.  (1608),  Anthony 
and  Cleop.,  ii.  2,  190.  She's  a  most 
triumphant  lady  if  report  be  SQUARE  to 
her.  Ibid.,  ii.  36.  Read  not  my 
blemishes  in  the  world's  report  :  I  have  not 
KEPT  MY  SQUARE  ',  but  that  to  come  shall 
all  be  done  by  the  rule.  Ibid.  (1609), 
Tinton  of  Athens,  v.  4,  36.  It  is  not 
SQUARE  to  take  On  those  that  are  re- 
venges. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.  s.v.  Vn 
ferial  beuveur.  A  SQUARE  DRINKER  .  .  . 
one  that  will  take  his  liquor  soundly. 

1616.  FLETCHER,  Bonduca,  ii.  3. 
By  Heaven,  SQUARE  EATERS  !  .  .  .  Upon 
my  conscience,  The  poor  rogues  have  not 
eat  this  month. 

1628.  FORD,  Lover's  Melancholy, 
iv.  2.  Then  they  .  .  .  steal  women's 
hearts  ;  with  them  and  theirs  The  world 
runs  round  ;  yet  they  are  SQUARE  MEN 
still. 

z6[?].  MILTON,  Ans.  to  Salmasius, 
x.  They  chose  rather  to  be  lorded  over 
...  by  a  tyrant  .  .  .  than  endure  theii 
brethren  and  friends  to  be  ON  THE  SQUARE 
with  them. 

1640.  SHIRLEY,  Love's  Cruelty,  ii.  3. 
Should  he  retain  a  thought  not  SQUARE  of 
her,  This  will  correct  all. 

1642.  SIR  T.  BROWNE,  Religio 
Medici,  i.  5.  There  is  no  Church  whose 
every  part  so  SQUARES  unto  my  conscience. 

1644-5.  HOWELL,  Letters,  i.  vi.  46. 
He  could  never  SQUARE  well  with  his 
Eminence  the  Cardinal. 

1662.  FULLER,  Worthies,  i.  xv. 
Both  being  put  together  may  SQUARE  out 
the  most  eminent  of  the  ancient  gentry  in 
some  tolerable  proportion. 

1677.  WYCHERLEY,  Plain  Dealer,  i. 
i.  Telling  truth  is  ...  as  prejudicial  to 
a  man  that  would  thrive  in  the  world  as 
SQUARE  PLAY  to  a  cheat. 

1692.  DRYDEN,  Juvenal,  iii.  179.  We 
live  not  ON  THE  SQUARE  with  such  as 
these. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  \.  46.  If  they 
dealt  SQUARELY  with  me  they'd  scarce  at 
all  wonder. 


Square. 


332 


Square. 


^.1718.  PENN,  'To  his  Wife  and  Chil- 
dren'  [Century].  Keep  UPON  THE 
SQUARE,  for  God  sees  you. 

1726.  VANBRUGH,  Provoked  Hus- 
band, v.  i.  Marriage  is  at  worst  but 
playing  UPON  THE  SQUARE. 

1782.  COWPER,  Charity^  559.  No 
works  shall  find  acceptance  in  that  day 
That  SQUARES  not  truly  with  the  Scripture 
plan. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SQUARE.  All  fair,  upright  and  honest 
practices  are  called  THE  SQUARE,  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  cross.  A  ...  person  who  is 
considered  by  the  world  to  be  honest,  and 
who  is  unacquainted  with  family  people, 
and  their  system  of  operation,  is  by  the 
latter  emphatically  styled  a  SQUARE  COVE  ; 
whereas  an  old  thief  who  has  acquired  an 
independance,  and  now  confines  himself  to 
SQUARE  practices  is  called,  by  his  old  pals, 
a  flash  cove  who  has  tyed  up  prigging. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  86.  I  never  split  hairs,  but  deal 

UPON  THE  SQUARE. 

1823.  BEE,  Diet.  Turf,  s.v.  SQUARE 
.  .  .  Anything  you  have  bought,  or  ac- 
quired honestly,  is  termed^  a  SQUARE 
ARTICLE  ;  and  any  transaction  which  is 
fairly  and  equitably  conducted,  is  said  to 
be  a  SQUARE  CONCERN. 

1826-9.  OLIVER,  Signs  and  Symbols, 
190.  You  must  keep  within  the  compass, 
and  act  UPON  THE  SQUARE  with  all  man- 
kind, for  your  masonry  is  but  a  dead  letter 
if  you  do  not  habitually  perform  its 
reiterated  injunctions. 

1864.  BROWNE,  Artemus  Ward 
Among  the  Mormons  [Works  (1899),  231], 
That  was  the  SQUAREST  meal  on  the  road 
except  at  Weber.  Ibid.,  288.  A  good 
SQUARE,  lively  file. 

1866.  ELIOT,  Felix  Holt,  xx.  If  a 
man's  got  a  bit  of  property  .  .  .  he'll 
want  to  keep  things  SQUARE.  Ibid.  (1866), 
xxi.  '  Was  the  marriage  all  right  then  ? ' 
'  Oh,  all  ON  THE  SQUARE — civil  marriage, 
church — everything. 

1866.  London  Miscellany,  3  Mar., 
57.  We  don't  want  no  one  took  in  that's 
ON  THE  SQUARE.  The  governor's  promised 
the  school  as  stranger's  shan't  use  the 
house. 

1869.  McCLURE,  Rocky  Mountains, 
30.  The  transition  from  the  luxurious 
tables  of  the  East  to  the  SQUARE  MEALS  of 
the  West  is  fortunately  gradual. 

1885.  Field,  3  Oct.  James  again 
brought  matters  SQUARE  on  the  fifth.  Ibid. 
(1886),  25  Sep.  Mr.  Laidlay  won  with 
six,  and  SQUARED  matters. 


1886.  D.  Tel,  17  Feb.,  5.    The  ques- 
tion will  now  come  SQUARELY  before  the 
House. 

1887.  HENLEY,     Villon's     Straight 
Tip.     Suppose  you  try  a  different   tack, 
And  ON  THE  SQUARE  you  flash  your  flag. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  240. 
The  games  played  there  were  not  what 
are  known  as  SQUARE  games. 

1900.  FLYNT,    Tramps,    278.      But 
I've  given  many  a  lad  a  ride,  and   I'm 
always  willing  to  be  square  to  a  SQUARE 
PLUG  (fellow). 

1901.  WALKER,   In  the  Blood,  106. 
His     SQUARE  -  CLOBBER    or     respectable 
clothes.    Ibid.,  259.     I  don't  call  it  actin' 

ON   THE  SQUARE   tO   Susie. 

3.  (colloquial). — To  bribe;  to 
pay.    Thus  TO  SQUARE  MATTERS 
=  to  pay  off :   also  TO  SQUARE 
THE  YARDS  (nautical);  TO  SQUARE 
UP  =  to  settle  a  bill. 

1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  xxvi. 
Many  a  delay  and  vexation  .  .  .  did  he 
get  to  pay  up  the  old  scores,  or  '  SQUARE 
THE  YARDS  with  the  bloody  quill-driver.' 

1845.  DISRAELI,  Sybil,  HI.  2.  There 
will  be  enough  to  pay  all  our  debts  and 
pay  us  all  SQUARE. 

1859.  LEVER,  Davenport  Dunn,  xi. 
The  horses  he  had  '  nobbled,'  the  jockeys 
SQUARED,  the  owners  '  hocussed.1 

1879.     HUXLEY  [Pop.  Sci.  Monthly, 

xxxv.  609].     How  D was  SQUARED, 

and  what  he  got  in  ...  these  transactions 
does  not  appear. 

T886.  Globe,  10  Mar.  They  have 
squandered  enormous  sums  of  money  in 
SQUARING  a  huge  army  of  committee  men, 
collectors,  and  other  hangers-on. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Lippo,  v.  To  show 
you  mean  it  stand  a  couple  of  shants  of 
bevarly  TO  SQUARE  the  boys. 

4.  (colloquial). — To   assume  a 
rigid  or  set  attitude:  as  TO  SQUARE 
ONE'S  SHOULDERS  =  (i)  to  stand 
(or  sit)  bolt  upright,  and  (2)  to 
show  disgust ;  TO  SQUARE  ONE'S 
ELBOWS  =  to  give  free    play  in 
driving  (BEE)  ;  TO  SIT  SQUARE  = 
to  sit  straight ;  TO  SQUARE  OUT 
=to  lay  out ;  TO  SQUARE  ROUND 
=  to  make  room. 


Square-cap. 


333 


Squash. 


1850.  THACKERAY,  Pendennis, 
xxxviii.  'Wanted  to  fight  the  French- 
man ' ;  .  .  .  and  he  laughed,  and  he 
SQUARED  with  his  fists. 

1854.  W.  COLLINS,  Hide  and  Seek,  \' 
12.  Here  Zack  came  in  with  the  gloves  on> 
SQUARING  on  the  most  approved  prize 
fighter  principles  as  he  advanced. 

1861.  DICKENS,  Great  Expect.,  xliii. 
I  planted  myself  side  by  side  with  Mr. 
Drummie,  my  shoulders  SQUARED  and  my 
back  to  the  fire. 

1878.  STEVENSON,  Inland  Voyage, 
50.  He  who  can  sit  SQUAREST  on  a  three- 
legged  stool,  he  it  is  who  has  the  wealth 
and  glory.  Ibid.,  Epil.  He  again  SQUARED 
HIS  ELBOWS  over  his  writing. 

5.  MISCELLANEOUS  PHRASES. 

— TO  SQUARE  THE  CIRCLE  =  to 

achieve  the  impossible  ;  '  How 
go  SQUARES  ? '  =  '  How  do  you 

do?'  ;  A  SQUARE  PEG  IN  A  ROUND 

HOLE  =  anything  misplaced  or 
incongruous  ;  STRAIGHT  DOWN 

THE    CROOKED    LANE    AND    ALL 

ROUND  THE  SQUARE  =  a  humor- 
ous  way  of  setting  a  man  on  his 
word  ;  ALL  FAIR  AND  SQUARE  = 
above  board,  dependable. 

SQUARE-CAP,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
London  apprentice. 

1651.  CLEAVELAND,  Poems -[NARES]. 
But  still  she  repli'd,  good  sir,  la-bee,  If 
ever  I  have  a  man,  SQUARE-CAP  for  me. 

SQUARE-FACE,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
— An  inferior  gin  made,  chiefly  in 
Germany,  for  barter  with  and 
consumption  by  savages. 

SQUAREHEAD, subs.  (Australian). — 
I.  Formerly  a  free  emigrant ;  now 
(2)  a  German  or  Scandinavian. 

See  SQUARE. 

SQUARE-TOES,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
An  old  man  (GROSE)  ;  a  FOGEY 
(q.v.) ;  a  PRECISIAN  (q.v.) ;  also 
OLD  SQUARETOES.  Hence 
SQUARE -TOED  =  formal,  prim, 
testy. 


1771.  SMOLLETT,  Humph.    Clinker 
(1900),  i.  65.  He  seems  to  have  a  reciprocal 
regard  for  OLD  SQUARETOES,  whom   he 
calls  by  the  familiar  name  of  Mathew. 

1772.  BRIDGES,    Burlesque    Homer, 
23.    OLD  SQUARE-TOES  .  .  .  Call'd  silence  ; 
but  he  first  with  care  Lifted  his  buttocks 
off  his  chair. 

1860-5.  THACKERAY,  Roundabout 
Papers,  xi.  Have  we  not  almost  all  learnt 
these  expressions  of  old  foozles,  and  uttered 
them  ourselves  when  in  the  SQUARE-TOED 
state.  Ibid.  (1862),  Philip,  xv.  I  have 
heard  of  an  OLD  SQUARETOES  of  sixty  who 
learned  very  satisfactorily  to  dance. 

SQUARSON,  subs,  (common). — See 
quots.,  SQUISHOP,  and  PORT- 
MANTEAU-WORD. Whence 
SQUARSON  AGE  =  a  parsonage. 

1886.  A.  LANG,  Mark  of  Cain,  ix. 
He  held  the  sacrosanct  position  of  a 
SQUARSON,  being  at  once  Squire  and  Par- 
son of  the  parish  of  Little  Wentley.  Ibid. 
She  left  the  gray  old  SQUARSONAGE,  and 
went  to  London. 

1888.  Living  Church,  25  Aug.  The 
.  .  .  Rev.  W.  H.  Hoare,  of  Oakfield, 
Sussex  .  .  .  was  the  original  of  the  well- 
known  expression,  invented  by  Bishop 
Wilberforce,  SQUARSON,  by  which  he 
meant  a  landed  proprietor  in  holy  orders. 

SQUARUM,  subs,  (shoemakers'). — A 
lapstone. 

SQUASH,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  A 
smash,  a  soft  or  flat  mass;  and 
(2)  a  mellay  :  spec.  (Harrow),  see 
quot.  1876.  As  verb.  =  (i)  to 
crush  or  smash :  also  TO  GO 
SQUASH  =  to  collapse;  and  (2)  to 
silence  by  word  or  deed.  Hence 

SQUASHER,     SQUASHINESS,      and 
SQUASHY. 

1726.  SWIFT,  Gulliver,  ii.  i.  One  of 
the  reapers  approaching  .  .  .  made  me 
apprehend  that  with  the  next  step  I  should 
be  SQUASHED  to  death  under  his  foot.  Ibid. , 
ii.  7.  My  fall  was  stopped  by  a  terrible 

SQUASH. 

1824-9.  LAN  DOR,  Imag.  Conv., 
'  Southey  and  Person,1  ii.  Give  a  trifle  of 
strength  and  austerity  to  the  SQUASHINESS 
of  our  friend's  poetry. 

V 


Squat. 


334 


Squatter. 


1854.  DICKENS,  Hard  Times,  xi. 
Wet  through  and  through  ;  with  her  feet 
squelching  and  SQUASHING  in  her  shoes 
whenever  she  moved. 

1876.  COLLINS,  Public  Schools  [Har- 
row], 312.  The  gravel  cut  the  leather  case 
of  the  ball  occasionally,  as  well  as  the 
hands  and  faces  of  those  who  scrambled 
over  it  in  a  SQUASH  .  .  .  which  Rugby 
men  know  as  a  '  scrummage '  and  Etonians 
as  a  'rouge.' 

1884.  Harper's  Mag. ,  Ixxviii.  80.  It 
seemed  churlish  to  pass  him  by  without  a 
sign,  especially  as  he  took  off  his  SQUASH 
of  a  hat  to  me. 

1898.  NISBET,  Sweet  Sinner,  vi. 
George  Keath  was  a  stalwart  man  .  .  . 
and  the  like  of  this  music  teacher  he  could 
have  settled  and  SQUASHED  in  half  a  minute. 

3.  (Harrow). — Racquets  played 
with  a  soft  india-rubber  ball :  the 
ball  is  also  known  as  a  SQUASH. 

SQUAT,  suds,  (colloquial). — I.  A 
short  thick-set  person.  SQUATTY 
(or  SQUADDY)  =  lumpish,  dumpy. 

1881.  J.  BURROUGHS,  Pepacton,  iii. 
A  few  yards  away  stood  another  short, 
SQUATTY  hemlock,  and  I  said  my  bees 
ought  to  be  there. 

2.  (American  Stock  Exchange). 
— See  quot. 

1870.  MEDBERY,  Men  and  Mysteries 
of  Wall  St.,  168.  He  extricated  himself 
from  serious  difficulties  by  ...  what  is 
known  in  the  street  as  SQUATTING.  In 
other  words,  he  dishonored  his  own  con- 
tracts, and  entered  upon  a  lawsuit  to  cover 
his  duplicity. 

SQUATTER,  subs,  (old  colloquial : 
now  general). — I.  A  settler  on 
public  land  without  title  or 
license;  hence  (2)  any  domiciliary 
usurper.  Also  (3)  in  Australia  a 
pastoral  tenant  of  the  Crown. 
Whence  SQUAT,  verb.  —  (i)  to 
settle  on  land  without  title  :  e.g., 
on  a  common,  and  (2)  as  in  subs. 
senses  2  and  3.  Derivatives  are 
numerous  :  e.g. ,  SQUATTAGE  =  a 
squatter's  station;  SQUATTOCRACY 

(SQUATTERARCHY  or  SQUATTER- 

POM)  =  the  world  of  squatters  : 


spec,  rich  landowners  in  pastoral 
districts :  cf.  MOBOCRACY,  COT- 
TONOCRACY, SLAVEOCRACY,  &c., 
&c. 

1829.  CAPT.  BASIL  HALL,  Trav.  in 
N.  Amer.,  n.  297.  A  wooding  station 
owned  by  what  is  called  a  SQUATTER. 

1835.  T.  A.  MURRAY,  Evidence  be- 
fore Legislative  Council  of  New  South 
Wales  on  Police  and  Gaols.  There  are 
several  parties  of  SQUATTERS  in  my  neigh- 
bourhood. I  detected,  not  long  since, 
three  men  at  one  of  their  stations  in  the 
act  of  slaughtering  one  of  my  own  cattle. 
I  have  strong  reason  to  suspect  that  these 
people  are,  in  general,  illicit  sellers  of 
spirits. 

1840.  F.  P.  LABILLIERE,  Early  His- 
tory of  Victoria  (1878),  ii.  189.  The 
SQUATTERS  of  New  South  Wales,  a  class 
of  persons  whom  it  would  be  wrong  to 
confound  with  those  who  bear  the  same 
name  in  America,  .  .  .  generally  persons 
.  .  .  who  have  taken  unauthorized  posses- 
sion of  land.  Among  the  SQUATTERS  of 
New  South  Wales  are  the  wealthiest  of 
the  land,  occupying,  with  the  permission 
of  the  Government,  thousands  and  tens  of 
thousands  of  acres. 

1846.  HODGSON,  Reminisc.,  118. 
English  are  the  most  numerous,  then  the 
Scotch,  then  the  Irish  amongst  the 

SQUATTOCRACV. 

1854.  Melbourne  Morning  Herald, 
18  Feb.,  4,  5.  SQUATTOCRATIC  IM- 
PUDENCE [Title]. 

1861.  M  c  C  O  M  B  I  E,  Australian 
Sketchesl  128.  SQUATTER  was  applied  in 
the  first  instance  to  signify,  as  in  America, 
such  as  erected  huts  on  unsold  land.  It 
thus  came  to  be  applied  to  all  who  did  not 
live  on  their  own  land,  to  whom  the 
original  and  more  expressive  name  of  settler 
continued  to  be  applied. 

1868.  BONWICK,  John  Batman,  94. 
Writes  to  another  at  a  distance  upon  the 

Subject  of  SQUATTERDOM. 

1872.  C.  H.  EDEN,  Wife  and  /,  59. 
The  howl  for  the  abolition  of  the  SQUATTO- 
CRACY had  not  yet  been  fostered  under  the 
malign  influence  of  short-sighted  politicians. 

1885.  CAMPBELL-PRAED,  Head  Sta- 
tion, 35.  The  bloated  SQUATTOCRACY 
represents  Australian  Conservatism. 

1890.  BOLDREWOOD,  Squatter's 
Dream,  iv.  42.  He  trusted  to  pass  into 
the  rankg  of  the  SQUATTOCRACV, 


Squattez-vous. 


335 


Squeal. 


1897.  Austr.  Steam  Nav.  Co.  '  Guide 
Book,'  29.     The   term  SQUATTER,  as  ap- 
plied to  the    class    it    now    designates — 
without  which  where  would  Australia  now 
be? — was  not  in  vogue  till  1842. 

Verb.  (old). — To  move  briskly 

or  noisily  through  mud  and  water. 

1598.     FLORIO,    Worlde  of  Wordes, 

s.v.  Squaecarare.     To  SQUATTER  ;  to  lash 

it  out  behind  after  a  purgation.    Ibid., 

Squaechera,  a  soft  SQUATTERING  turd. 

d,Tjg6.  BURNS,  Address  to  the  Deil. 
Amang  the  springs,  Awa'  ye  SQUATTER'D, 
like  a  drake,  On  whistling  wings. 

1852.  BRONTE,  Villette,  xxv.  A 
little  callow  gosling  SQUATTERING  out  of 
bounds. 

SQUATTEZ-VOUS,  intj.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— '  Sit  down  ! ' 

1900.  KIPLING,  Stalky  and  Co.,  179. 
'  Be  quick,  you  ass  !  ...  SQUATTEZ-VOUS 
on  the  floor,  then ! 

SQUATTLE,  verb.  (American). — To 
decamp  :  see  ABSQUATULATE. 

SQUAWK,  subs,  (colloquial).— i.  A 
harsh  noise  or  voice :  also  as 
verb. 

1856.  Widow  Bedott  Papers,  208. 
The  way  she  SQUAWKED  it  out  was  a 
caution  to  old  gates  on  a  windy  day ! 

1861.  C.  READE,  Cloister  and 
Hearth^  xxvi.  Gerard  gave  a  little 
SQUAWK,  and  put  his  fingers  in  his  ears. 

2.  (American). — A  bad  failure. 

SQUEAK,  subs,  (colloquial). — A 
narrow  escape;  a  close  SHAVE 
(q.v.). — GROSE. 

1889.  O'REILLY,  Fifty  Years  on  the 
Trail.  It  was  a  NARROW  SQUEAK  for  me, 
as  the  bullet  cut  off  a  lock  of  my  hair. 

1898.  GOULD,  Landed  at  Last,  vii. 
We've    had   some    NARROW  SQUEAKS    of 
missing  him  ...  [a]  narrow  shave  was  at 
York. 

Verb,  (old).— I.  To  talk  ;  and 
(2)    to    betray    confidence;     TO 

SQUEAL,  TO  PEACH  (q.V.).  Hence 
SQUEAKER  =  (l)  a  BLAB  (q.V.), 

and  (2)  an  informer ;  TO  SQUEAK 
BEEF  =  to  cry  '  Stop  thief  :  see 
BEEF  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 


If  he  be  obstinate,  put  a  civil  question  to 
him  on  the  rack,  and  he  SQUEAKS,  I  war- 
rant him. 

c.  1725.    Retouremy  dear  Dell\Canting 
Diet.].     I  never  will  whiddle,  I  never  will 

SQUEAK. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering, 
xxxiv.  That's  another  breaker  ahead, 
Captain  !  Will  she  not  SQUEAK,  think  ye  ! 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  HI.  v. 
Never  blow  the  gab  or  SQUEAK. 

^  3.  (old).— To  shirk  :  an  obliga- 
tion, debt,  &c. 

SQUEAKER,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A 
child  :  spec.  (B.  E.  and  GROSE)  a 

BYE-BLOW  (q.V.)  ;  also  SQUEALER. 
TO  STIFLE  THE  SQUEAKER  =  (i) 

to  procure  abortion;  and  (2)  to 
get  rid  of  a  bastard. 

2.  (old). — In//.  =  organ  pipes 
(GROSE). 

3.  (old).— A  pig. 

4.  (old). — A    young    bird;    a 
CHIRPER;  a  PEEPER;  a  SQUEALER 
(q.v.). 

1876.  GREENER,  The  Gun  (1884),  5315. 
Mr.  Campbell  succeeded  in  bagging  220 
grouse  by  evening  ;  every  SQUEAKER  was, 
however,  counted. 

SQUEAL,  verb,  (thieves').— i.  To 
inform ;  TO  PEACH  ;  TO  SQUEAK 
(q.v.).  Hence  SQUEALER  =  an 
informer  :  see  NARK  (GROSE). 

1870.  New  York  Tribune,  27  Oct. 

G.  R is  caught,  and  may  SQUEAL  on 

us. 

1882.  Century  Mag.,  xxxv.  649.  The 
first  step  ...  is  to  spread  abroad  the 
rumour  that  this,  that,  or  the  other  con- 
federate is  about  to  SQUEAL  ;  ...  it  will 
be  but  a  few  days  before  one  of  the  rogues 
will  .  .  .  anticipate  the  traitors  by  turning 
State's  evidence. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  52. 
The  planter  was  clean  'cornered,'  but  he 
was  working  George  on  a  dead  sure  thing 
and  couldn't  SQUEAL. 

1900.  FLVNT,  Tramps,  128.  If  they 
SQUEAL,  as  the  tramp  says,  they  are  sure 
to  be  rewarded. 


Squealer. 


336 


Squelch. 


1902.  LYNCH,  High  Stakes,  xxiii. 
When  he  drew  a  fare  and  got  well 
treated,  he  was  not  the  man  TO  SQUEAL. 

SQUEALER,  subs,  (common). — i. 
See  quot.,  SQUEAKER,  and 
SQUEAL. 

1881.  Century  Mag.,  xxxiii.  100. 
When  ready  to  leave  the  nest  and  face  the 
world  for  itself,  it  [a  young  pigeon]  is  a 
SQUEALER,  or,  in  market  parlance,  a 
squab. 

2.  (Wellington  School). —A 
small  boy. 

SQUEEMISH,  adj.  (B.  E.).— 'Nice.' 

SQUEEZE,  subs,  (common).  —  i. 
Silk. 

1877.  HORSLEV,  Jottings  from  Jail. 
Me  and  another  screwed  a  place  at  Stoke 
Newington,  and  we  got  some  SQUEEZE 
dresses,  and  two  sealskin  jackets,  and  some 
other  things. 

2.  (common).— A    crowd  ;    a 
PUSH  (q.v.) ;  crowding. 

1862.  THACKERAY,  Philip,  xxvi. 
Four  and  twenty  hours  of  SQUEEZE  in  the 
diligence. 

3.  See  SQUEEZER. 

Verb.  (B.  E.).— 'To  gripe,  or 
skrew  hard. '  Also  (colloquial )  = 
to  extort,  to  coerce,  TO  BEST 
(q.v. ).  As  subs.  =  ( i )  a  hard  bar- 
gain ;  (2)  HOBSON'S  CHOICE 
(q.v.~)\  and  (3)  a  RISE  (q.v.). 
Whence  SQUEEZABLE,  SQUEEZ- 
ABILITY, &c. 

1670.  MILTON,  Hist.  Britain,  vi. 
He  [Canute]  SQUEEZED  out  of  the  English, 
though  now  his  subjects,  not  his  Enemies, 
72,  some  say  82,  thousand  pound. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  378.  You  shall  go  snacks  in  all 
that  we  can  SQUEEZE  OUT  of  the  old 
fellow. 

1852.  SAVAGE,  Reuben  Medlicott 
(1864),  i.  9.  You  are  too  versatile  and  too 
SQUEEZABLE  .  .  .  you  take  impressions 
too  readily. 

^  1890.  PEACOCKE,  Descript.  of  the 
East,  i.  171.  The  little  officers  oppress 
the  people ;  the  great  officers  SQUEEZE 
them. 


1892.  LOWE,  Bismarck,  H.  230.  The 
peace-of-mind-at-any-price  disposition  of 
that  Cabinet  had  rendered  it  SQUEEZABLE 
to  any  extent. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  308.  And 
then  there  is  a  celebration  over  having 
SQUEEZED  another  Railroad  company. 

SQU  EEZE-  EM  -CLOSE,  Subs.  pkr.(vQ- 

nery). — Copulation  :  see  GREENS. 

SQUEEZER  (or  SQUEEZE),  subs. 
(old). — i.  The  neck  (GROSE  and 
VAUX).  Also  (2)  =  the  hang- 
man's noose. 

c.iSn.  MAKER,  The  Night  Before 
Larry  was  Stretched.  For  Larry  was 
always  the  lad,  When  a  friend  was  con- 
demned to  the  SQUEEZER,  He'd  fence 
all  the  togs  that  he  had,  Just  to  help  the 
poor  boy  to  a  sneezer. 

c.i  866.  VANCE,  Chickaleary  Cove. 
The  stock  around  my  SQUEEZE  of  a  guiver 
colour  see. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Straight 
Tip.  Until  the  SQUEEZER  nips  your  scrag, 
Booze  and  the  blowens  cop  the  lot. 

3.  (American). — In  pi.—  play- 
ing cards  with  the  values  marked 
in  the  top  left  hand  margins. 
Also  SQUEEZE,  verb.,  see  quot. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  23. 
Gen.  Schenck,  like  all  great  poker  players, 
used  to  SQUEEZE  his  hand,  that  is,  arrange 
them  so  that  only  the  indicators  at  the 
corners  were  visible. 

SQUEEZE-WAX,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
A  surety  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

SQUELCH  (or  SQU ELSH),  subs.  (old). 
— A  hard  hit,  a  heavy  fall ;  espec. 
one  under  something  or  some- 
body :  also  SQUELCHER.  As  verb. 
=  to  crush,  to  SQUASH  (q.v.). 

1624.  MIDDLETON,  Game  at  Chess, 
v.  3.  This  fat  bishop  hath  so  overlaid  me, 
So  SQUELCH'D  and  squeezed  me. 

1663.  BUTLER,  Hudibras,  i.  ii.  933. 
But  Ralpho,  who  had  now  begun  T'adven- 
ture  resurrection  From  heavy  SQUELCH, 
and  had  got  up. 

^.1687.  COTTON,  Works  (1734),  242. 
And  yet  was  not  the  SQUELCH  so  ginger, 
But  that  I  sprain'd  my  little  finger. 


Squench. 


337  Squint-minded. 


St.  George  for  England,  Part 

II.  But  George  he  did  the  dragon  fell, 
And  gave  him  a  plaguy  SQUELCH. 

1853.  BRADLEY,  Verdant  Green. 
There's  a  SQUELCHER  in  the  bread-basket 
that'll  stop  your  dancing,  my  kivey  1 

1866.  [Quoted  by  BROWNE  in  Arte- 
mus  Ward  Among  the  Fenians,  'Pre- 
liminary.'] SQUELCHED,  exterminated  .  .  . 
and  extinguished  the  cantankerous  Sena- 
tors. 

1886.  J.  W.  PALMER,  After  his 
Kind,  120.  Luke  gazed  shamefaced  at 
the  nosegay  in  his  button-hole  and  was 

SQUELCHED. 

1902.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  4  Dec.,  2,  2. 
Politicians  in  Dublin  have  been  experienc- 
ing a  delirious  titillation  of  the  bump  of 
combativeness  by  an  announcement  that 
Mr.  Redmond  is  to  descend  upon  Dundalk 
with  a  design  to  SQUELCH  Mr.  Healy. 

SQUENCH,  verb,  (vulgar). — To 
quench. 

1600.  Contention,  \.  59.  Fetche 
pitch  and  flaxe,  and  SQUENCH  it. 

SQUIB,  subs.  (GROSE).  —  i.  'A 
small  satirical  or  political  tem- 
porary jeu  d'esprit,  which,  like 
the  fire-work  of  that  denomina- 
tion, sparkles,  bounces,  stinks, 
and  vanishes.' 

2.  (artists').— A  brush. 

3.  (old). — See  quot. 

1731.  St.  James's Evg.  Poi>t  [SYDNEY, 
Eng.  in  i8th  Century,  i.  229],  '  List  of 
Officers  attached  to  Gaming-houses "... 
4.  Two  Puffs,  who  have  money  given  them 
to  play  with.  ...  6.  A  SQUIB  who  is  a 
puff  of  a  lower  rank,  who  serves  at  half 
salary  while  he  is  learning  to  deal. 

4.  (costers').  —  In     pi.  =  as- 
paragus. 

Verb,  (old).— To  lampoon. 

SQUIBOB,  subs.  (American).  —  A 
finniking,  fussy  person  :  in  con- 
tempt. 

SQUIFFED,  adj.  (colloquial).  — 
Drunk  :  also  SQUIFFY  :  see 
SCREWED. 

1900.  KIPLING,  Stalky  &  Co.,  17.  I 
never  got  SQUIFFY  but  once  .  .  .  an'  it 
made  me  horrid  sick. 


1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  256. 
He  had  often  been  outspoken  enough 
about  anybody  being  SQUIFFY. 

SQUIGQLE,  verb.^  (American).—  To 
evade;   to  wriggle;   TO  SQUIRM 


SQUIN  NY-EYES,  subs.  phr.  (old).  — 
A  squinting  man  or  woman  :  also 
SQUIN  -EYES,  SQUINT-A-PIPES, 
and  SQUINT-A-FUEGO.  As  adj. 
—  squinting  ;  TO  SQUINNY  (or 
SQUIN)  =  to  squint  ;  and  (Ameri- 
can) to  laugh,  wink,  or  smile. 

1602.  HEYWOOD,  How  to  Choose  a 
Good  Wife.  Gold  can  make  limping 
Vulcan  walke  upright,  Make  SQUIN-EIES 
looke  straight. 

1605.  SHAKSPEARE,  Lear,  iv.  6.  I 
remember  thine  eyes  well  enough.  What, 
dost  Thou  SQUINY  at  me? 

1609.  ARM  IN,  Ital.  Taylor  and  his 
Boy.  As  doctors  in  their  deepest  doubts, 
Stroke  up  their  foreheads  hie  ;  Or  men 
amazde,  their  sorrow  flouts  By  SQUEANING 
with  the  eye. 

1692.  DRYDEN,  Persius,  v.  271.  The 
timbrel,  and  the  SQUINTIFEGO  maid  Of 
Isis,  awe  thee. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.y. 
SQUINT-A-PIPES  .  .  .  said  to  be  born  in 
the  middle  of  the  week,  and  looking  both 
ways  for  Sunday  ;  or  born  in  a  hackney 
coach,  and  looking  out  of  both  windows  ; 
fit  for  a  cook,  one  eye  in  the  pot,  and  the 
other  up  the  chimney  ;  looking  nine  ways 
at  once. 

SQUINSY.  HEMPEN  SQUINSY,  subs. 
phr.  (old).  —  A  hanging  :  see 
HEMPEN  FEVER  and  LADDER. 

SQUINT,  verb,  (tailors').  —  To  lack  : 
food,  material,  money,  anything. 

SQUINTER,  subs,  (common).—  In//. 
=  the  eyes  :  see  GLIM. 

SQUINT-MINDED,  adj.  (old).  —  De- 
ceitful ;  crooked  ;  with  TWISTED 
VISION  (q.v.). 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  n.  xxxiv. 
You  and  I  both  are  far  more  worthy  of 
pardon  than  a  great  rabble  of  SQUINT- 
MINDED  fellows,  dissembling  and  counter- 
feit saints. 


Squire. 


338 


Sguiress. 


SQUIRE,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  gallant ; 
a  woman's  man;  a  SERVANT 
(q.v.)  :  also  LOVE-SQUIRE,  and 
SQUIRE  OF  DAMES.  Hence 
APPLE-SQUIRE  (q.V.)  and  SQUIRE 
OF  THE  BODY  =  a  STALLION 
(q.v.).  As  verb.  —  (l)  TO  SERVE 
(q.v.) ;  (2)  to  PIMP  (q.v.) ;  and  (3) 
to  gallant. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  5,  884. 
Our  prentis  Jankin  .  .  .  SQUIERETH  me 
both  up  and  doun,  Yet  hast  thou  caught  a 
false  suspection :  I  wol  him  nat,  though 
thou  were  ded  to-morwe. 

1590.  SPENSER,  Fairy  Queen,  n.  i. 
21,  8.  And  eke  himselfe  had  craftily  de- 
vised To  be  her  SQUIRE,  and  do  her 
Service  well  aguised. 

1599.  JONSON,  Out  of^  Humour •, 
'Characters— Shift.'  His  chief  exercises 
are  taking  the  whiff,  SQUIRING  a  cockatrice, 
and  making  privy  searches  for  impartars. 

1611.  CHAPMAN,  May-Day,  ii.  4. 
Now  for  a  far-fetched  device  to  fetch  over 
my  LOVE-SQUIRE. 

1632.  MASSINGER,  Emperor  of  the 
East,  i.  2.  Marry,  there  I'm  call'd  The 
SQUIRE  OF  DAMES,  or  Servant  of  the  Sex. 

1639.  MAYNE,  City  Match,  35.  And 
spoile  your  SQUIRING  in  the  dark. 

1665.  R.  HEAD,  English  Rogue,  I. 
be.  71  (1874).  From  what  Dunghil  didst 
thou  pick  up  this  shakerag,  this  SQUIRE  OF 

THE  BODY? 

1675.  WYCHERLEY,  Country  Wife, 
iv.  3.  To  SQUIRE  women  about  for  other 
folks  is  as  ungrateful  an  employment  as  to 
tell  money  for  other  folks. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
(1770),  90.  Turning  To  look  for  Dido  and 
her  SQUIRE,  All  in  a  chamber  finely 
matted,  He  very  fairly  spy'd  'em  at  it. 

1708-10.  SWIFT,  Polite  Conversation, 
i.  Neverout.  .  .  .  I'll  go  to  the  Opera 
to-night,  ...  for  I  promised  to  SQUIKE 
the  Countess  to  her  Box. 

1900.  SAVAGE,  Brought  to  Bay,  u. 
vi.  It  was  no  light-minded  SQUIRE  OF 
DAMES  who  sat  alone  in  the  smoking-room. 

3.  (American). — See  quot. 

1862.  BROWNE,  A  rtemus^  Ward,  His 
Book,  'The  Octoroon.'  It  is  a  middlin 
fine  day,  SQUIRE.  [Note. — SQUIRE  in 
New  England  phraseology,  a  magistrate, 


or  justice  ;  but  throughout  the  States,  a 
very  general  complimentary  title,  varied 
occasionally  by  major,  colonel,  general, 
&c.] 

4.  (various). — See  quots.  ^.1696 
and  1785  :  also  BROOM,  GALLI- 
POT, and  PAD. 

1688.  SHADWELL,  SO  UJRE  OF  A  L- 
SATIA  [Title]. 

C.i6g6.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
SQUIRE  OF  ALSATIA,  a  Man  of  Fortune, 
drawn  in,  cheated,  and  ruin'd  by  a  pack 
of  poor,  lowsy,  spunging,  bold  Fellows 
that  liv'd  (formerly)  in  White-Fryers.  The 
SQUIRE,  a  Sir  Timothy  Treat-all  ;  also  a 
Sap-pate.  SQUIRISH,  foolish,  also  one  that 
pretends  to  Pay  all  Reckonings,  and  is 
not  strong  enough  in  the  Pocket.  A  fat 
Squire,  a  rich  Fool. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
SQUIRE  OF  ALSATIA.  A  weak  profligate 
spendthrift,  the  SQUIRE  OF  THE  COMPANY  ; 
one  who  pays  the  whole  reckoning,  or 
treats  the  company,  is  called  STANDING 
SQUIRE. 

SQUIREEN,  subs.  (Irish).— A  term 
of  contempt:  see  quot.  Also 
(general)  SQUIRELET. 

1812.  EDGEWORTH,  Absentee,  vii. 
SQUIREENS  are  persons  who,  with  good 
long  leases  or  valuable  farms,  possess 
incomes  of  from  three  to  eight  hundred  a 
year,  who  keep  a  pack  of  hounds,  take  out 
a  commission  of  the  peace,  sometimes 
•before  they  can  spell  .  .  .  and  almost 
always  before  they  knew  anything  of  law 
or  justice. 

1839.  CARLYLE,  Misc.,  in.  56.  A 
Scottish  SQUIRELET,  full  of  gulosity  and 
gigmanity. 

1857.  KINGSLEY,  Two  Years  Ago, 
viii.  A  small  SQUIREEN  cursed  with  six 
or  seven  hundreds  a  year  of  his  own,  never 
sent  to  school,  college,  or  into  the  army, 
he  had  grown  up  in  a  narrow  circle  of 
SQUIREENS  like  himself. 

1873.  Fraser's  Mag.,  May,  647.  The 
family  of  Bodley  belonged  to  that  class  of 
SQUIRELETS  .  .  .  of  which  Devonshire  in 
the  days  of  Elizabeth  was  very  full. 

SQUIRESS,  subs,  (colloquial). — A 
squire's  wife. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  vii.  The 
one  milliner's  shop  was  full  of  fat 
SQUIRESSES,  buying  muslin  ammunition. 


Squirish. 


339 


Squit. 


SQUIRISH,^;.  (GROSE). — Foolish. 

SQUIRM,  subs,  (public  schools'). — 
A  small  obnoxious  boy  :  cf. 

SQUIRT. 

Verb,  (colloquial). — To  wriggle; 
to  shudder  :  mentally  or  physi- 
cally. Whence  (American)  TO 
GET  A  SQUIRM  ON  =  to  bestir 
oneself;  and  SQUIRMY  =  (i) 
crooked,  deceitful ;  and  (2)  ALL- 
OVERISH  (q.v.). 

1859.  HON.  MR.  PITT  [BARTLETT]. 
We  have  declared  an  intention,  and  now, 
when  we  come  to  publish  it,  some  gentle- 
man is  suddenly  seized  with  the  "re- 
trenchment gripes,"  and  SQUIRMS  around 
like  a  long  red  worm  on  a  pin-hook. 

1857.  HOLMES,  Autocrat,  v.  You 
never  need  think  you  can  turn  over  any 
old  falsehood  without  a  terrible  SQUIRMING. 

1862.  BROWNE,  Artemus  Ward,  His 
Book,  44.  I  give  Uriah  a  sly  wink  here, 
which  made  the  old  feller  SQUIRM  like  a 
speared  eel. 

1874.  Siliad,v.Q$.  I  rage,  I  SQUIRM 
...  I  say  rude  things,  but  no  one  cares  a 
bit. 

1902.  KERNAHAN,  Scoundrels  and 
Co.,  v.  I  SQUIRM  under  the  cold  kiss  that 
a  revolver's  ugly  lips  press  to  my  forehead. 

SQUIRREL,  subs.  (old). — A  harlot; 
'  because  she  (GROSE),  like  that 
animal,  covers  her  back  with  her 
tail.' 

SQUIRT,  subs.  (American).— i.  A 
dandified  PUPPY  (g.v.)\  an  up- 
start ;  a  cad.  Whence  SQU IRTISH 
=  dandified,  self-assertive,  cad- 
dish. In  contempt. 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship,  160. 
If  they  won't  keep  company  with  SQUIRTS 
and  dandies,  who's  going  to  make  a 
monkey  of  himself? 

1847.  ROBB,  Squatter  Life,  73.  It's 
my  opinion  that  these  slicked-up,  SQUIRT- 
ISH  kind  of  fellars  ain't  particular  hard 
baked,  and  they  always  goes  in  for  aristo- 
cracy notions. 

1854.  NORTH,  Slave  of  the  Lamp, 
25.  He's  a  galvanized  SQUIRT,  and,  as  the 
parson  said,  "  the  truth  ain't  in  him." 


2.  (public    schools'). — An   ob- 
noxious boy:  cf.  SQUIRM. 

3.  (old  colloquial).— A  spurt. 
1759-67.     STERNE.  Tristram  Shandy, 

iii.  28.  How  different  from  the  rash  jerks, 
and  hare-brained  SQUIRTS  thou  art  wont, 
Tristram,  to  transact  it  with  in  other 
humours. 

4.  (old).—  (a)   In  pi.  -  diar- 
rhoea :  cf.  SQUITTERS;  and  (b)  a 
chemist  or  apothecary. 

1551.  STILL,  Gammer  Gurton's 
Needle,  i.  2.  Hodge.  See,  so  I  am  arrayed 
with  dabbling  in  the  dirt !  She  that  set  me 
to  ditching,  I  would  she  had  THE  SQUIRT. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
(1770),  12.  As  if  ...  troubl'd  with  the 

SQUITTERS. 

1696.  MOTTEUX,  Rabelais,  'Pant. 
Prog., 'iii.  Troubled  with  the  thorough- 
go-nimble,  or  wild  SQUIRT. 

1712.  GAY,  Trivia,  ii.  563.  Pleas'd 
sempstresses  the  Lock's  fam'd  Rape  un- 
fold ;  and  SQUIRTS  read  Garth  till  apozems 
grow  cold. 

i8[?].  Dispensary,  Dram.  Pers. 
SQUIRTS,  an  apothecary's  boy. 

5.  (Harvard). — 'A  showy  reci- 
tation' (HALL). 

Verb,  (old).— To  BLAB  (q.v.). 

To  SQUIRT  ONE'S  DYE,  verb, 
phr.  (American). — To  seize  an 
opportunity. 

TO  DO  A  SQUEEZE  AND  A 
SQUIRT,  verb.  phr.  (venery). — 
To  copulate :  see  GREENS  and 
RIDE.  Also  TO  SQUIRT  ONE'S 
JUICE. 

SQUISH,  subs,  (public  schools'). — 
I.  Marmalade;  also  (Winchester) 
=  weak  tea. 

SQUISHOP,  subs,  (common). — A 
bishop  who  is  also  a  landed  pro- 
prietor :  cf.  SQUARSON. 

SQUIT,  subs.  phr.  (provincial). — A 
young  woman  not  over  pleasing 
and  small  (HALLIWELL). 


Squitters. 


340 


Staff. 


SQUITTERS,  subs.  pi.  (common). — 
Looseners  of  the  bowels  :  cf. 
SQUIRT. 

SQUO,  subs,  and  adj.  (Charter- 
house).— Racquets  played  with  a 
soft  ball  :  e.g.,  SQUO-COURT, 

SQUO-BALL,  &C.  :   cf.   SQUASH,  3. 

SRES-WORT,  subs.  phr.  (back 
slang).  — Trousers. 

SRET-SIO,  subs,  (back  slang). — 
Oysters. 

'STAB,  subs,  (printers'). — '  Estab- 
lishment': e.g.,  ON  THE  'STAB 
=  in  regular  work  at  fixed  wages  : 
as  opposed  to  piece-work. 

Verb,  (venery). — To  copulate  : 

also  TO  STAB  IN  THE  THIGH  :  566 

GREENS  and  RIDE. 

To  STAB  THE  DICE,  verb.  phr. 
(old  gaming). — See  quot. 

1674.  COTTON,  Complete  Gamester 
(1680),  12.  STABBING,  that  is,  having  a 
smooth  box  and  small  in  the  bottom,  you 
drop  in  both  your  dice  in  such  manner  as 
you  would  have  them  sticking  therein  .  .  . 
the  dice  lying  one  upon  another  ;  so  that, 
turning  up  the  box,  the  dice  never  tumble 
...  by  which  means  you  have  bottoms 
according  to  the  tops  you  put  in  :  for 
example,  if  you  put  in  your  dice  so  that 
two  fives  or  two  fours  lie  a  top,  you  have 
in  the  bottom  turn'd  up  two  twos,  or  two 
treys ;  so  if  six  and  an  ace  a  top,  a  six  and 
an  ace  at  bottom. 

TO  STAB  ONESELF  AND  PASS 
THE  DAGGER,  verb.  phr.  (theatri- 
cal).— To  help  oneself  and  send 
the  bottle  round. 

STABLE,  subs,  (military).— i.  In//. 
=  routine  duty  at  the  stables. 

1885.  M.  Post,  5  Feb.  They  seem 
always  at  STABLES,  on  parade,  or  out  doing 
field-firing. 

2.  (racing). — The  horses  in  a 
racing  establishment. 

1887.  Referee,  24  Ap.  They  can 
insure  a  straight  run  for  their  money  in 
connection  with  this  STABLE. 


TO    SHUT   THE   STABLE    DOOR 
WHEN    THE    STEED    IS    STOLEN, 

verb.  phr.  (old). — To  set  a  guard 
after  a  mischief  is  done. 

1509.     BARCLAY,  Ship  of  Fools  (1^^), 
i.  76.    WHEN  THE  STEDE  is  STOLYN,  TO 

SHYT  THE  STABLE  DORE. 

STABLE-MY-NAGGIE.    To  PLAY  AT 

STABLE-MY-NAGGIE,     verb.    phr. 

(venery).  —  To     copulate  :      see 
GREENS  and  RIDE. 

STAB- RAG,  subs.  phr.  (common). — 
A  tailor  :  also  RAG-STABBER 
(q.v.) :  see  TRADES. 

STAB-SHOT,  subs.  phr.  (billiards'). 
— A  stroke  where  the  ball  stops 
'  dead '  (or  nearly  so)  on  the  spot 
occupied  by  the  object  ball. 

STACIA.  LIKE  STACIA,  adv.  phr. 
(provincial). — A  term  of  com- 
parison :  e.g.,  *  to  do  it  LIKE 
STACIA  ' ;  *  as  drunk  AS  STACIA,' 
&c.  (HALLIWELL). 

STACK,  subs,  (common). — A  large 
quantity :  e.g. ,  STACKS  OF  THE 
READY  =  plenty  of  money. 

Verb,  (gaming). — To  'make' 
cards  in  a  pre-arranged  manner 
for  a  crooked  game ;  TO  PACK 
(q.V.)  ;  TO  STOCK  (q.V.). 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  54. 
The  cards  were  STACKED  and  marked  on 
the  back,  so  that  he  didn't  have  any  chance 
at  all  to  win. 

STAFF,  subs,  (venery). — The /<?#&: 

also   STAFF    OF    LIFE   and  STAFF 

OF    LOVE  :   see  PRICK.      Hence 

STAFF-BREAKER  (or  CLIMBER)  = 

a  woman. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  xi. 
One  of  them  would  call  it  her  fiddle-diddle, 
her  STAFF  OF  LOVE  .  .  .  her  Cyprian 
sceptre. 

1686.  DORSET,  Faithful  Catalogue 
[Rochester,  Roscommon,  &*c.  (1718),  n. 
33].  Well  has  his  STAFF  a  double  use 
supplied. 


Staff  of  Life. 


341 


Stag. 


PHRASES.  To  PUT  DOWN  (or 
SET  UP)  ONE'S  STAFF  =  to  rest  ;  to 
take  up  residence  (RAY)  ;  TO 
KEEP  STAFF  IN  HAND  =  to  retain 
possession  ;  TO  PART  WITH  ONE'S 
STAFF  =  to  get  rid  of  one's  sub- 
stance ;  TO  ARGUE  FROM  STAFF 
TO  CORNER  =  to  raise  a  question 
other  than  that  under  '  discussion,' 
to  draw  a  red  herring  across  the 
trail  ;  TO  HAVE  THE  BETTER  (or 

WORSE)  END  OF  THE  STAFF  =  to 

get  the  best  (or  worst)  of  a  mat- 
ter :  see  STICK. 

1564.  UDAL,  Apoph.  Erasmus,  340. 
A  rief  thyng  it  is  to  see  feloes  enough  of 
the  self  same  suite,  which  as  often  as  thei 
see  theim  selfes  TO  HAUE  THE  WORSE  ENDE 
OF  THE  STAFFE  in  their  cause,  doen  make 
their  recourse  wholly  vnto  furious  brallyng. 

1625-30.  Court  and  Times,  Chas.  I,, 
ii.  94.  And  so  now  ours  seem  TO  HAVE 

THE  BETTER  END  OF  THE  STAFF. 


].  ADAMS,  Works  [NICHOLS, 
Puritan  Divines,  1861-2],  i.  185.  If 
Cleanthes  open  his  shop  he  shall  have  cus- 
tomers ;  many  a  traveller  there  SETS  DOWN 

HIS  STAFF. 

d.  1663.    BRAMHALL,  Works  [Ang.  Cath. 
Lib.],  ii.  94.     This  is  an  argument  FROM 

THE  STAFF  TO  THE  CORNER.       I  Speak  of  a 

succession  of  Holy  Orders,  and  he  of  a 
succession  of  opinions. 

1753.  RICHARDSON,  Grandison,  ii. 
122.  Miss  Byron,  I  have  had  THE  BETTER 

END   OF   THE  STAFF,    I    believe  ? 

1766.  BROOKE,  Fool  of  Quality,  i. 
370.  There  are  few  men  now  at  liberty 
near  so  wealthy  as  this  gentleman  who  has 
done  us  the  honour  TO  SET  UP  HIS  STAFF 
of  rest  in  our  house. 

T773-  GRAVES,  Spiritual  Quixote 
(1808),  viii.  x.  As  the  evening  now  came 
on,  and  the  two  pilgrims  were  much 
fatigued  .  .  .  they  thought  it  best  TO  SET 
UP  THEIR  STAFF  at  the  public-house  where 
they  had  preached. 

1782.  WALPOLE,  Letters,  iv.  326.  I 
did  not  think  a  wife  was  the  stall  where  he 

WOUld  SET  UP  HIS  STAFF. 


STAFF  OF  LIFE,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— I.  Bread. 


ENGLISH  SYNONYMS  (see  also 
GRUB).  MELTON  (q.v.) ;  penny- 
starver  ( =  penny  roll) ;  soft-tack 
(or  -tommy] | ;  tack  ;  toke ;  tommy; 
pannum. 

FRENCH  SYNONYMS.  Artie; 
arton  ;  boule  (prison  :  also  boule 
de  son)  ;  bissard  ( =  brown  bread) ; 
boucle  zoze  (thieves'  =  brown 
bread)  ;  bricheton  ;  briffe  ;  brig- 
nolet ;  bringue  ;  brontg  ;  chalet; 
graigaille  ;  grignolet ;  gringue  ; 
gros  Guillaume ;  lartif;  lartie ; 
larton  ;  mousseline  (  =  white 
bread) ;  pierre  dure. 

2.  See  STAFF. 

STAFFORD  COURT.  To  BE  TRIED 
IN  STAFFORD  COURT,  verb.  phr. 
(old). — To  be  beaten  or  ill-treated. 
Hence  STAFFORD  LAW = violence, 
lynch  law. 

1598.  FLORIO,    Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Braccesca  licenza,  a«  we  say  STAF- 
FORD'S LAW. 

1599.  BRETON,  Wilof  Wit,  2,  '  The 
Scholler  and  Souldier."    Among  souldiers, 
STAFFORD  LAW,  martiall  law,  killing  or 
hanging,  is  soon  learned. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet., s.v.  Ilaeste 
au  Jestin  de  Martin  boston,  he  hath  had 
A  TRIALL  IN  STAFFORD  COURT,  or  hath 
received  Jacke  Drums  intertainment. 

1647.  MILES  CORBET,  Speech  [Harl. 
Misc.,  i.  273],  We  have  unlawfully  erected 
marshall  law,  club  law,  STAFFORD  LAW, 
and  such  lawless  laws  as  make  most  for 
treason. 

STAFFORDSHIRE  KNOTS  (THE), 
subs.  phr.  (military). — The  2nd 
Batt.  of  The  South  Staffordshire 
Regiment,  formerly  The  8 1st 
Foot.  [The  regimental  badge  is 
a  knotted  cable.] 

STAFF-STRIKER,  subs.  phr.  (old).— 
A  sturdy  beggar  ;  a  tramp. 

STAG,  subs,  (old).— i.  An  informer ; 
a  SNITCH  (q.v.) :  also  STAGGER. 


Stag. 


342 


Stager. 


2.  (Stock  Exchange).  —  An 
applicant  for  shares  in  new  issues, 
who  has  no  intention  of  holding, 
but  prefers  to  forfeit  the  de- 
posit money  if  unable  to  sell  at  a 
premium  on  allotment.  Hence 
(3)  any  irregular '  outside '  dealer. 
Also  as  verb. 

1849.  KINGSLEY,  Yeast,  ii.  If  the 
Stock-Exchange  and  railway  STAGGING 
.  .  .  are  not  The  World,  what  is?  Ibid., 
xii.  The  slipperiness,  sir,  of  one  STAGGING 
parson  has  set  rolling  this  very  avalanche. 

1871.  ATKINS,  House  Scraps.  A 
STAG  there  was— as  I've  heard  tell,  Who 
in  an  attic  used  to  dwell  .  .  .  And  being 
blest,  like  many  I  know,  With  little  con- 
science, and  less  rhino,  Took  to  that 
frailest  of  all  frail  ways. 

4.  (old). — A  professional  bails- 
man or  alibi  (BEE). 

5.  (common). — A  shilling:  see 
RHINO. 

1887.  HENLEY,  Villon's  Straight 
Tip.  You  cannot  bank  a  single  STAG. 

6.  (provincial).  —  A   romping 
girl. 

7.  (common). — A  male.  Whence 
STAG-DANCE  =  a  man's  dance  ;  a 

BULL-DANCE    (q.V.)  :    also    STAG- 
PARTY  ;        STAG  -  MONTH    =  the 

month  of  a    woman's    lying-in  ; 

STAG-WIDOW  =  a  man  whose  wife 

is  in  childbed. 

18  [?].  West  Point  [U.  S.  Mil.  Acad.] 
Scrap  Book.  After  supper  a  universal 
STAG  DANCE  of  not  less  than  fifty  couples 
came  off  ...  The  dancers  arrange  them- 
selves in  two  long  lines,  facing  each  other, 
inside  of  a  lane  of  candles,  half  buried  in 
the  ground,  and  above  these  three  muskets 
forming  a  tripod,  and  each  bayonet  having 
a  candle  spluttering  on  its  point.  Drums, 
fires,  and  violins  formed  the  orchestra. 
The  cadets  started  with  a  simultaneous 
bound,  involving  themselves  inextricably, 
and  at  last  it  became  a  mere  competition 
who  should  work  his  legs  and  feet  most 
excruciatingly. 

1854.  Baltimore  Sun,  13  Nov.  The 
prisoners  in  the  jail  at  Lafayette,  Indiana, 
have  been  provided  with  a  violin  ;  and, 
one  of  the  number  being  a  good  player, 
they  have  frequent  STAG-DANCES. 


1856.  MACE  SLOPER  (C.  G.  LELAND), 
Knickerbocker  Mag.,  April.  I  lose  myself 
in  a  party  of  old  bricks,  who,  under  pre- 
tence of  looking  at  the  picture,  are  keep- 
ing up  a  small  STAG-PARTY  at  the  end  of 
the  room. 

Adj.  (old). — See  quot. 

1602.  DEKKER  Satiromastix  [HAW- 
KINS, Eng.  Dr.,  iii.  141],  Come,  my  little 
cub,  do  not  scorn  me  because  I  go  IN  STAG, 
in  buff. 

Verb,  (old).— I.    To    find,    to 
watch  closely,  TO  DOG  (g.v.)  :  e.g., 

TO    STAG    A    THIEF  =  to  look  on 

and  spoil  his  game  ;  TO  STAG  THE 
PUSH  =  to  watch  the  crowd  ; 
'  Who's  that  STAGGING  ?  '  = 
'Who's  following?'  (GROSE, 
BEE).  Also  STAGGER  =  a  spy. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  Ixxxiii.  Bess 
STAGS  you,  my  cove  !  Bess  STAGS  you. 

1828.  BEE,    Living    Picture.    Lest 
the  transaction  may  have  been  STAGGED 
by  some  impertinent  bystander  or  a  trap, 
he  mounts  his  box  and  drives  away. 

1859.  KINGSLEY,  Geoffrey  Hatnlyn, 
v.  So  you've  been  STAGGING  this  gentle- 
man and  me,  and  listening,  have  you 

2.  (common).  —  To   dun ;    to 


STAGE- FEVER,  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— A  craze  for  the  boards  : 
hence  STAGE-STRUCK. 

c.1710.  [ASHTON,  Soc.  Life  in  Reign 
of  Queen  Anne,  11.  21.]  He  was  intended 
for  the  Church,  but  he  caught  STAGE- 
FEVER,  ran  away  from  school  at  the  age  of 
17,  and  joined  the  theater  at  Dublin. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Pirate,  xxxix.  The 
false  tones  and  exaggerated  gesture  of  the 
STAGE-STRUCK  pirate. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  in. 
142.  Some  of  the  young  fellows  stick  in 
their  parts.  They  get  the  STAGE  FEVER, 
and  knocking  in  the  knees. 

STAGER  (or  OLD  STAGER),  subs. 
phr.  (colloquial). — I.  A  person  of 
experience  :  cf.  STAGER  =  a 
player ;  whence  (2)  anything  Ipng 
in  use  or  evidence. 


Stagger. 


343 


Stale. 


1563.  FOXE,  Acts  and  Monuments 
[CATTLEY]  [OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  549. 
Amongst  Romance  words  are  .  .  .  mum- 
mery, OLD  STAGER  .  .  .]. 

1748.  CHESTERFIELD,  Letters,  20 
Dec.  Here  let  me,  as  an  OLD  STAGER  on 
the  theatre  of  the  world,  suggest  one  con- 
sideration to  you. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  69.  She  is  an  OLD  STAGER,  a 
veteran  in  the  service  of  the  apothecarie's 
wife. 

1884.  Field,  6  Dec.  While  Sabrina 
and  Ripple,  OLD  STAGERS  at  the  game, 
slid  along  the  shore. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  108.  The 
same  young  lady,  I  will  wager,  But  her 
escort's  not  the  same ;  Methinks  he  is  a 
younger  STAGER. 

STAGGER,  suds,  (common). — In  pi. 
—  a  drunken  fit. 

See  STAG,  verb. 

STAGGERER,  subs,  (common).  — 
Anything  overwhelming ;  a  poser. 

1889.  Athenceum,  26  Oct.,  560.  This 
was  a  STAGGERER  for  Dive's  literary 
'  gent,'  and  it  took  him  nearly  six  weeks  to 
get  over  it  and  frame  a  reply. 

STAGGERING  BOB,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— i.  A  newly  dropped  calf 
(HALLIWELL)  ;  and  (2)  meat 
unfit  for  human  food  because  the 
knife  has  only  anticipated  death 
from  accident  or  disease  ;  also 
(GROSE)  STAGGERING  BOB  WITH 
HIS  YELLOW  PUMPS. 

STAG- MAG,  subs.  phr.  (theatrical). 
— A  stage  manager.  Also  as 
verb.  —  to  stage  manage. 

STAIN ES.  AT  STAINES,  adv.  phr. 
(old). — See  quot. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulgar  Tongue,  s.v. 
STAINES,  a  man  who  is  in  pecuniary  dis- 
tress is  said  to  be  AT  STAINES,  or  at  the 
Bush,  alluding  to  the  Bush  Inn  at  that 
town. 


STAIRS.  THE  STAIRS  WITHOUT  A 
LANDING,  subs.  phr.  (thieves'). — 
The  treadmill :  see  EVERLASTING 
STAIRCASE. 

1884.  GREENWOOD,  Little  Raga- 
muffins. He's  lodging  now  at  Coldbaths 
Fields— getting  up  THE  STAIRS  WITHOUT 

A   LANDING. 

STAKE,  subs,  (old).—  See  quot. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
STAKE.  A  booty  acquired  by  robbery 
.  .  .  ;  and,  if  considerable,  a  PRIME 
STAKE,  or  a  HEAVY  STAKE.  A  person 
alluding  to  anything  .  .  .  comparatively 
.  .  .  invaluable,  would  say,  I  consider  it  a 
STAKE  ...  a  valuable  or  acceptable 
acquisition  of  any  kind  is  emphatically 
called  a  STAKE,  meaning  a  great  prize. 

Verb.  (American). — To  pro- 
vide for. 

TO  LOSE  THE  MATCH  AND 
POCKET  THE  STAKES,  verb.  phr. 
(venery). — To  be  got  with  child. 

STALE,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  pretence, 
a  fraud,  a  theft.     As  verb.  —  to 
deceive,  to  rob. 
1033  [?].      KENNETT,    MS.    Lansd., 

f.392.    A  STALE  or  pretence,  a  fraud  or 

deceit. 

1340.  Ayenbyte  of  Inwyt\$.  E.  T.  S.]f 

9.      Ine  these  heste  is  norbode  roberie, 

thiefte,   STALE  and  gauel,   and    bargayn 

with  othren. 

2.  (old). — Any  object  of  con- 
tempt, deception,  or  ridicule.    As 
verb.  —  to  ridicule  or  abuse. 
c.1400.       Chester    Plays    (Shakspeare 
Soc.),  i.  173.    So  shall  you  meete  with  that 
STALL,  That  woulde  my  kingdome  clayme 
and  call. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Tarn,  of  Shrew, 
i.  i.  I  pray  you,  sir,  is  it  your  will  To 
make  a  STALE  of  me  among  these  mates  ? 

1620.  FLETCHER,  Little  French 
Lawyer,  iii.  Are  we  made  STALES  to  one 
another  ? 

1633.  FORD,  Love's  Sacrifices,  ii.  i. 
A  subject  fit  TO  be  the  STALE  of  laughter. 

1635.  RULTEN,  Shepheards  Holy~ 
day,  sig.  G  i.  Before  I  could  get  earnest 
of  any  ones  love,  To  whom  I  made 
addresse,  even  she  would  say,  You  have 
another  mistresse,  go  to  her,  I  will  not  be 
her  STALE. 


Stale. 


344 


Stale. 


3.  (old). — A  decoy  ;  a  stalking 
horse  :  hence  ambush.  As  verb. 
—  to  hide,  to  lie  in  wait,  to 
ensnare. 

1530.  PALSGRAVE,  Lang.  Francoyse, 
s.v.  STALE  for  foules  takynge. 

1548.  HALL,  Union,  '  Hen.  IV.',  £.31. 
He  ordeined  certain  of  his  men  to  geve 
assaulte  to  the  toune  of  Guisnes  while  he 
stode  in  a  STALE  to  lie  in  waite  for  the 
relefe  that  might  come  from  Callis. 

1577.  STANIHURST,  Descr.  Ireland, 
21.  Laie  in  STALE. 

1577.  HELLOWES,  Fr.  of  Guevara's 
Letters,  42.  When  he  happened  to  fall 
into  the  STALL  of  his  enimies. 

1588.  GREENE,  Dorastus  and 
Fawnia,  38.  The  lyon  never  prayeth  on 
the  mouse,  nor  faulcons  stoupe  not  to  dead 
STALES.  Ibid.,  Penitent  Palmer's  Ode. 
Her  ivory  front,  her  pretty  chin,  Were 
STALES  that  drew  me  on  to  sin. 

1590.  SPENSER,  Fairy  Queen,  n.  i.  4. 
Still  as  he  went,  his  craftie  STALES  did  lay, 
With  cunning  traynes  him  to  entrap 
unware.  Ibid.  (1596),  vi.  x.  3.  Would 
never  more  delight  in  painted  show  Of 
such  false  blisse  as  there  is  set  for  STALES, 
T"  entrap  unwary  fooles. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Com.  of  Errors, 
ii.  i.  But,  too  unruly  deer,  he  breaks  the 
pale,  And  feeds  from  home,  poor  I  am  but 
his  STALE.  Ibid.,  iii.  2.  "Twere  good  to 
STEAL  our  marriage.  Ibid.  (1609),  Tempest, 
iv.  i.  The  trumpery  in  my  house,  go 
bring  it  hither,  For  STALE  to  catch  these 
thieves. 

1597.  BACON,  Essays,  xi.  Profess  it 
plainly,  and  declare  it,  together  with  the 
reasons  that  move  thee  to  change,  and  do 
not  think  to  STEAL  it. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  iii.  i. 
Make  them  STALLS  to  his  lewd  solecisms 
and  worded  trash.  Ibid.  (1605),  Fox,  iv. 
5.  And  with  this  strumpet,  The  STALE  to 
his  forg'd  practice.  Ibid.  (1611),  Catiline. 
Dull  stupid  Lentulus,  my  STALE  with 
whom  I  stalk. 

1610.  Mirr.  Mag.,  366.  This  find  I 
true,  for  as  I  LAY  IN  STALE,  To  fight  with 
the  duke  Richard's  eldest  son,  I  was 
destroy'd,  not  far  from  Dintingdale. 

1622.  MARMION,  Holland's  Leaguer, 
ii.  i.  I'll  make  a  STALE,  to  take 
this  courtier  in  a  freak.  Ibid.  (1633), 
Fine  Companion,  iii.  4.  Captain  Whibble, 
the  toun  STALE  For  all  cheating  employ- 
ments. 


1626.  FLETCHER,  Wit  at  Several 
Weapons,  ii.  2.  Why,  thou  wert  but  the 
bait  to  fish  with,  not  The  prey  ;  the  STALE 
to  catch  another  bird  with. 

1640.  Two  Lancashire  Lovers,   21. 
Must  an  husband  be  made  a  STALE  to 
sinne,  or  an  inlet  to  his  owne  shame  ? 

^  1688.  Cap  of  Grey  Hairs,  6fc.,  96. 
If  it  be  a  solitary  beauty  you  court,  which 
as  yet  is  intemerata  virgo,  so  that  none 
beside  take  to  the  scent,  she  will  not  long 
be  so,  for  your  attendance  will  be  but  like 
the  fowlers  STALE,  the  appearance  of  which 
brings  but  others  to  the  net. 

4.  (old). — A  common  whore  : 
see  TART. 

1600.  SHAKSPEARE,  Much  Ado,  iv. 
i.  I  stand  dishonour'd,  that  have  gone 
about  To  link  my  dear  friend  to  a  common 

STALE. 

1641.  MILTON,  Reformation  in  Eng.t 
i.    Common  STALES  to  countenance  .  .  . 
every  Politick  Fetch  that  was  then  on  foot. 

5.  (Old    Cant).  —  An    accom- 
plice :    '  a  STALE  for  a  foist   or 
pickpocket ' :  now  (also  STALL)  a 
confederate  working  either  before 
(FRONT-STALL  or  FORE-STALL)  or 
behind  (BACK-STALL)  the  actual 
thief,   to    cover  his  movements, 
and  assist  in  his  escape  (see  quot. 
1785)  :    also    STALLSMAN.      As 
verb.  =to  screen  :  also  TO  CHUCK 

A  STALL,  and  TO  STALL  OFF; 
also  to  FENCE  (q.v.):  whence 
STALLlNG-KEN  =  amart  for  stolen 
goods  (HARMAN,  B.  E.,  and 
GROSE):  also  (HARMAN)  =  'a 
tippling-house.'  Also  TO  STALL 
OFF  =  to  excuse  plausibly  ;  to 
escape  wilily. 

1610.  ROWLANDS,  Martin  Mark-all 
[Hunt.  Club  Rept.],  39.  STAWLING-KEN, 
a  house  to  receive  stolen  goods. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  'Brood  of 
Cormorants,'  8.  Lives  like  a  gentleman 
by  sleight  of  hand,  Can  play  the  foist,  the 
nip,  the  STALE,  the  stand. 

1671.  HEAD,  English  Rogue,  '  Cant- 
ing Song.'  So  she  and  I  did  STALL  and 
cloy  whatever  we  could  catch. 


Stale  Bear. 


345 


Stallion. 


1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue ',  s.v. 
STALL-UP.  To  STALL  a  person  up  ...  is 
to  surround  him  in  a  crowd,  or  in  the  open 
street,  force  his  arms  up,  and  keep  them  in 
that  position  while  others  of  the  gang  rifle 
his  pockets  at  pleasure,  the  cove  being  un- 
able to  help  or  defend  himself ;  this  is 
what  the  newspapers  denominate  hustling, 
practised  where  the  general  anxiety  to 
push  forward,  or  to  obtain  a  view,  forms  a 
pretext  for  jostling. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  Ixxxiii. 
Plant  your  stumps,  Master  Guinea  Pig ; 
you  are  going  to  STALL  OFF  the  Daw's 
baby  in  prime  twig. 

1884.  GREENWOOD,    Seven      Years 
Penal  Servitude.       I    said    to    my   pal, 
'CHUCK  ME  A  STALL  and  I'll  have  that.' 
What  did  I  mean  ?    Why,  keep  close  to  me 
and  cover  what  I'm  doing. 

1885.  Daily   Tel.,  12  Nov.    Lovely 
drew  out,  and  STALLING  OFF  the  challenge 
of  the  ungenerous  Duke  of  Richmond  won 
by  two  lengths. 

To  STALL  ONE'S  MUG,  verb, 
phr.  (old).— To  be  off. 

To  STALL  A  DEBT,  verb.  phr. 
(old).— To  forbear  it. 

See  STALL. 

STALE  BEAR  (or  BULL),  subs.  phr. 
(Stock  Exchange). — A  BEAR  (or 
BULL)  q.v.  who  has  long  been 
short  of  (or  has  long  held)  stock. 

STALE-DRUNK,  adj. phr.  (common). 
— A  man  is  said  to  be  STALE- 
DRUNK  when  again  in  liquor 
before  complete  recovery  from  a 
previous  bout  :  see  SCREWED 
(GROSE). 

STALK  (THE),  subs.  (Punch  and 
Judy). — The  gallows  :  see  NUB- 
BING  CHEAT. 

TO  STALK  A  JUDY  (THE 
STREETS,  &c.),  verb.  phr.  (ve- 
nery). — To  run  a  woman  down  ; 
to  quest  for  MEAT  (q.v.}\  TO 
GROUSE  (q.v.). 

STALL,  verb.  (Old  Cant). — I.  To 
install ;  to  initiate  (HARMAN, 
DEKKER,  B.  E.). 


1567.  HARMAN,  Caveat.  When  an 
upright  man  mete  any  beggar,  whether  he 
be  sturdy  or  impotent,  he  will  demand  of 
him  whether  ever  he  was  '  STALLED  TO 
THE  ROGE,'  or  no.  If  he  say  he  was,  he 
will  know  of  whom,  and  his  name  yt 
stalled  him.  And  if  he  be  not  learnedly 
able  to  shew  him  the  whole  circumstance 
thereof,  he  will  spoyle  him  of  his  money, 
either  of  his  best  garment,  if  it  be  worth 
any  money,  and  haue  him  to  the  bowsing- 
ken  ;  which  is,  to  some  typling  house  next 
adjoyninge,  and  layth  there  to  gage  the 
best  thing  that  he  hath  for  twenty  pence 
or  two  shillings ;  this  man  obeyeth  for 
feare  of  beatinge.  Then  dooth  this  up- 
right man  call  for  a  gage  of  bowse,  which 
is  a  quarte  potte  of  drink,  and  ppwres  the 
same  vpon  his  peld  pate,  adding  these 
words,— I,  G.P.,  do  stalle  thee,  W.  T.,  to 
the  Roge,  and  that  from  henceforth  it  shall 
be  lawful!  for  thee  to  cant,  that  is,  to  aske 
or  begge  for  thi  liuing  in  al  places. 

2.  (theatrical). — To  take  a  part. 

3.  (common). — To    lodge,    or 
put  up  at  a  public  house. 

See  STALE. 

STALLION,  subs.  (old). — A  whore- 
monger (B.  E.):  spec.  (GROSE) 
'  a  man  kept  by  an  old  lady  for 
secret  purposes.' 

1605.  CHAPMAN,  All  Fools,  iii.  i. 
Thou  play'st  the  STALLION  ever  where 
thou  comest ;  ...  no  man's  bed  secure  ; 
No  woman's  unattempted  by  thee. 

1622.  MARMION,  Holland's  Leaguer, 
i.  iv.  Their  [women's]  unjust  desires  would 
ask  the  labours  of  some  ten  STALLIONS. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
(1770),  32.  And  if  thou  stay'st  that  Rogue 
Pygmalion  Intends  to  use  thee  like  a 
STALLION. 

1686.  DORSET,  Faithful  Catalogue 
[Rochester,  Roscommon,  &>c.,  n.  44]. 
Ne'er  was  a  truer  STALLION  to  his  cost. 

1686.  RocHESTERj  Works  (1718), 
1  Lais  Junior,'  i.  75.  Disabling  sluts  and 
STALLIONS  every  hour.  Ibid.,  \.  167, 
'  Rochester's  Farewell.'  Of  numerous 
STALLIONS  let  her  not  despair. 

1694.  MOTTEUX,  Rabelais,  v.  vii. 
Don't  you  STALLIONISE  it  sometimes? 
Ibid.,  Pantag.  Prognos,  v.  Smockers, 
STALLIONS  and  belly-bumpers. 


Stall-whimper. 


346 


Stand. 


1697.  VANBRUGH,  Provoked  Wife,  iv. 
Sir  John.  That  goat ;  that  STALLION 
there,  is  ready  to  run  me  through  the  guts. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  n.  ii.  15. 
And  pick  his  Pocket,  to  supply  Some 
starving  STALLION  of  the  Town.  Ibid., 
1  Hypocrisy  Lampoon'd.'  The  Mourning 
Widow  too  can  play  The  Hypocrite  with 
Vail  on,  And  most  devoutly  kneel  and 
pray,  Tho'  'tis  but  for  a  STALION. 

1772.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Honttr, 
216.  As  to  that  copper-nosed  rabscallion, 
Venus's  bully-back  and  STALLION. 

STALL-WHIMPER,  subs.  phr.  (Old 
Cant). — A  bastard :  see  BYE-BLOW 
(B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

STAM -BANG,  adv.  (provincial). — 
Plump  down. 

STAM  FLASH,  verb.  phr.  (Old  Cant). 
—To  cant  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

STAM  MEL  (or  STRAMMEL),  subs. 
(old). — '  A  brawny,  lusty,  strap- 
ping Wench '  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

STAMMER,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— An 
indictment  (GROSE). 

STAMP,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— i.  In 
//.  =  the  legs;  (2)  =  shoes  (HAR- 
MAN,  B.  E.,  GROSE,  and  VAUX)  ; 
and  (3)  'carriers'  (B.  E.).  Also 
STAMPERS.  Whence  STAMP- 
DRAWERS  =  stockings. 

1620.  DEKKER,  Lanthorne  and 
Candlelight,  sig.  C.,  iii.,  s.v. 

1641.  BROME,  Jovial  Crew,  i.  Strike 
up,  Piper,  a  merry,  merry  dance,  That  we 
on  our  STAMPERS  may  foot  it  and  prance. 

1828.  EGAN,  Finish  in  Tom  and 
Jerry,  309.  My  padders,  my  STAMPERS, 
my  buckets,  otherwise  my  boots. 

4.  (old).  —  A  coin  of  small 
value  :  spec.  (HALLIWELL)  a 
halfpenny.  In  pi.  (American)  = 
paper  money  ;  SHINPLASTERS 
(q.v.).  Also  generic  for  money. 


1628.  MIDDLETON,  Widow,  ii.  i. 
Ric.  Oh  cruel,  merciless  woman,  To  talk 
of  law,  and  know  I  have  no  money.  Val. 
I  will  consume  myself  to  the  last  STAMP 
Before  thou  gett'st  me. 

1877.  Providence  Jo.,  5  Feb.  The 
patience  with  which  he  waited  in  the  box- 
office  to  rake  in  all  the  STAMPS  led  his 
audience  to  form  a  fair  estimate  of  his 
appreciation  of  the  almighty  dollar. 

1899.  HVNE,  Further  Adven.  Cap- 
tain Kettle,  xi.  He's  the  flat.  Cranze  is 
the  —  er —  his  friend  who  stands  to  draw 
the  STAMPS. 

5.  (printers'). — In//.  =  type. 
1563.     FOXE,  Acts  and  Monuments 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.   54.0.    Among 
new  substantives  are  STAMPS  (types)  .  .  . 
the  bench  (magistrates). 

Verb.  (old). — See  quot. 
1785.      GROSE,    Vulg.    Tongue,    s.v. 
STAMP.     A  particular  manner  of  throwing 
the  dice  out  of  the  box,  by  striking  it  with 
violence  against  the  table. 

STAMP-CRAB,  subs. phr.  (common). 
— A  lumpish  walker ;  a  BEETLE- 
CRUSHER  (q.v.). 

STAMP-IN-THE-ASHES,  subs.  phr. 
(old).—  See  quot. 

1515.  De  Generibus  Ebriosorum,  &*c. 
[HODGKIN,  Notes  and  Queries,  3  S.,  vii. 
163.  In  this  treatise  occurs  names  of  fancy 
drinks  ...  I  select  a  few  of  the  most  pre- 
sentable slip-slop  .  .  .  STAMP-IN-THE- 
ASHES  .  .  .  Swell-nose. 

STANCHEOUS,  adj.  and  adv.  (Wes- 
tern American). — Strong;  durable. 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship,  33. 
I  tell  you  what,  it's  a  mighty  STANCHEOUS- 
looking  building,  and  looks  far  off  at  a 
distance  when  you're  going  up  to  it. 

STAND,    subs,    (venery).  —  i.  An 

erectio  penis :  also  STANDING- 
WARE  ;  likewise  as  verb.  Thus 

TO   MAKE   STANDING   ROOM   FOR 

ONE  =  to  receive  a  man  :  hence 
UNDERSTANDINGS  =  a  woman's 
conquests.  See  HORN.  Also  (pro- 
verbial) '  STAND  always,  as  the 
girl  said ' ;  cf.  NILNISISTANDO. 
STAND  also  =  a  mouth  whore. 


Stand. 


347 


Stand. 


^.1529.  DUNBAR,  Works,  '  Twa  Marrit 
Wemen,'  s.v. 

£.1593.     NASH,  Choise  of  Valentines, 

131.  'Unhappie  me,'  quoth  shee,    'and 
will't  not  STAND?    Com,  lett  me  rubb  and 
chafe  it  with  my  hand  ! ' 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  A  conscienza  vitta  .  .  .  with  a  stiffe 
STANDING  pricke.  Ibid.  Priapismo  .  .  . 
the  STANDING  of  a  man's  yard. 

1601.  MONDAY  and  CHETTLE,  Death 
of  Robert,  Earl  of  Huntingdon  [DODSLEV, 
Old  Plays  (1874),  viii.  309].  Except  you 
use  that  trick  to  conjure  doun  the  STAND- 
ING spirit  of  my  lord  the  king  That  your 
good  mother  there,  the  Abbess,  uses  To 
conjure  down  the  spirit  of  the  monk. 

1606.  CHAPMAN,  Gent.  Usher,  ii.  i. 
Perhaps  some  tender  lady  will  squat  here, 
And  if  some  STANDING  rush  should  chance 
to  prick  her. 

1616.  DRUMMOND  [CHALMERS,  Eng. 
Poets,  v.  666].  I  wish  you  not  a  hundred 
arms  nor  hands,  But  hundred  things  like 
those  With  which  Priapus  in  our  garden 
STANDS. 

1686.  ROCHESTER,  'The  Happy 
Night '  [  Works  (1718),  i.  36].  Then  binds 
his  wounds  up  with  a  busy  hand  And  with 
that  Balm  enables  him  to  STAND. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  \.  ix.  6. 
Till  she  had  burnt  with  Claps  and  Poxes, 
More  STANDING  WARE  than  Sampson's 
Foxes.  Ibid.,  T[om]  B[rown]'s  Last  Let- 
ter. Stroke  with  warm  Hand  ...  To 
make  what's  pendant  STAND  erected. 

1774.      BRIDGES,   Burlesque  Homer, 

132.  Knowing  a  touch  of  her  soft  hand 
.  .  .  will  make   him  STAND.     Ibid,,  196. 
But  she  ...  in  sweaty  palm,  There  held 
it  fast  and  made  it  STAND,  And  spend  its 
venom  in  her  hand. 

1786.  CAPT.  MORRIS,  Lyra  Urbanica 
(1840),  'Billy's  too  Young  to  Drive  Us.' 
Here's  Britannia  !  And  may  he  never 
stand  at  her  head,  Who  never  could 
STAND  at  her  tail. 

^.1796.  BURNS,  Merry  Muses,  '  Here's 
his  Health  in  Water.'  He  followed  me 
baith  out  an'  in,  Wi'  a  stiff  STANIN'  pillie. 
Ibid.,  'Act  Sederunt'  (1793).  STANIN' 
pricks  are  fau'tors  a'. 

2.  (Old  Cant).—  See  quot.  1548. 

Also  STANDING. 

1548.  LATIMER,  Sermons  and  Re- 
mains (Parker  Soc.).  [OLIPHANT,  New 
Eng.,  i.  515.  There  are  hanger-on,  a 
STANDING  (thieves'  station)]. 


3.  (various). — A  cheap-jack's, 
coster's,  or  street-vendor's  PITCH 
(q.v. ).    Also  (colloquially)  A  SHOP 
(q.v.)',  A  SHOW  (q.v.). 

1902.  LYNCH,  High  Stakes,  xxiii. 
The  lady  .  .  .  came  .  .  .  with  the  best 
of  home  and  foreign  recommendations, 
began  business  at  her  present  "STAND," 
and  has  flourished  mightily. 

4.  (theatrical      touring).  —  A 
visit ;  a  RUN  (q.v.). 

1900.  Free  Lance,  6  Oct.,  20,  i.  This 
year  I'm  going  with  Grady — north  and 
south — right  through  the  big  two  week 
STANDS. 

5.  (American).  —  Situation  : 
e.g. ,  '  The  Astor  House  is  a  good 
STAND  for  a  hotel '  (BARTLETT). 

Verb,  (colloquial). — To  endure, 
put  up  with,  forbear. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Miller's  Tale,  644. 
But  STONDE  he  moste  unto  his  owene 
harm. 

1705.  WARD,  Hud.  Rediv.,  \.  ix.  13. 
After  she  has  STOOD  the  thrust  To  satisfy 
her  Master's  Lust. 

PHRASES.— STAND  is  frequent- 
ly colloquial.     Thus  TO  STAND 

READY   AT    THE     DOOR  =  to     be 

handy  for  use ;  TO  STAND  TO  A 
CHILD  =  to  act  as  sponsor ;  TO 

STAND     BUFF     (or     BLUFF)  =  to 

swear  to,  to  outface,  to  take  the 
consequences ;  NOT  A  FOOT  (or 
LEG)  TO  STAND  ON  =  at  the  end  of 
one's  resources,  or  one's  repute  ; 
TO  STAND  IN  =  (i)  to  take  side 
(or  lot)  with,  to  share,  and  (2)  to 

COSt  ;   TO  STAND  ON   ONE'S  HIND 

LEGS  =  to  show  temper,  to  take  in 
bad  part ;  TO  STAND  ON  ONE'S 
HEAD  (EARS,&c.)  =  to  be  in  good 
spirits ;  TO  STAND  UP  TO  THE 
RACK  =  to  take  rough  and  smooth; 
TO  STAND  UP  TO  =  to  put  oneself 
in  righting  attitude  (BEE)  :  whence 

a     STAND-UP     FIGHT  =  a      bout 

where  the  contestants  manfully 
face  each  other  ;  TO  STAND  UP 
WITH  =  (i)  to  dance,  and  (2)  to 


Stand. 


348 


Standing. 


act  as  bridesmaid  or  groomsman  ; 

TO  STAND  HOLES  (j^quot.  1847). 

Also  see  PAD  ;  PATTER  ;  RACKET  ; 
SAM;  TREAT;  VELVET. 

.....  Townley  Mysteries  (Camden 
Soc.),  310.  They  have  NO  FETE  TO  STANDE. 

1628.  EARLE,  Microcos  [ARBER,  32], 
10,  '  A  Church  Papist.'  He  bates  her  in 
tyres  what  she  STANDS  HIM  IN  religion. 

c.i68o.  BUTLER,  Hudibras's  Epitaph. 
For  the  good  old  cause  STOOD  BUFF  'Gainst 
many  a  bitter  kick  and  cuff. 

1698.  VANBRUGH,  Prov.  Wife,  i.  i. 
Would  my  courage  come  up  to  a  fourth 
part  of  my  ill-nature,  I'd  STAND  BUFF  to 
her  relations,  and  thrust  her  out  of  doors. 
Ibid.,  v.  2.  The  marriage  knot  .  .  .  may 
STAND  BUFF  a  long  time. 

1701.  COLLIER,  M.  ^Anton.  (1726), 
219.  To  STAND  BUFF  against  danger  and 
death. 

1732.  FIELDING,  Misc.,  n.  i.  I  must 
even  STAND  BUFF  and  outface  him. 

1777.  SHERIDAN,  Sch.  Scandal,  ii.  3. 
Ha  I  ha  \  ha  !  that  he  should  have  STOOD 
BLUFF  to  an  old  bachelor  so  long,  and  sink 
into  a  husband  at  last  ! 

1812.  AUSTEN,  Mansfield  Park,  xii. 
If  you  want  to  dance,  Fanny,  I  will  STAND 
UP  WITH  you. 

1827.  SCOTT,  Diary  [LOCKHART 
ix.  146].  It  is  best  to  STAND  BUFF 
to  him. 

1832.  CROCKETT,  Tour  Down  East, 
137.  I  begun  a  new  campaign  at  Washing- 
ton. I  had  hard  work,  but  I  STOOD  UP  TO 
THE  RACK,  fodder  or  no  fodder. 

1844.  Major  Jones's  Courtship,  64. 
It  was  the  hottest  night's  work  ever  old 
Wolf  undertook  ;  and  it  tuck  a  mighty 
chance  of  hollerin"  to  make  him  STAND  UP 
TO  HIS  RACK  as  well  as  he  did. 


1847.  HALLiWELL,yJrc&  Words,  &*c., 
s.v.  STAND-HOLES.     "  I'LL  STAND  HOLES," 
I  will  hold  to  my  bargain  ;  sometimes  thus 
limited,   "  I'LL    STAND    HOLES    till    next 
Wednesday."     It    seems    borrowed    from 
the  game  kit-cat,  or    bandy    wicket,    at 
which  if  a  player  indicate  an  intention  of 
running    indiscreetly    in    the    opinion    of 
another,  the  latter  will  fix  him  to  his  posi- 
tion by  roaring  out  "  STAND  HOLES." 

1848.  THACKERAY,    Vanity    Fair, 
xxxiv.     He  STOOD  UP  TO    the    Banbury 
Man  for  three  minutes,  and  polished  him 
off  in  four  rounds. 

1853.  WINTHROP,  Hist.  New  Eng- 
land, i.  55.  Every  bushel  of  wheat  meal 
STOOD  us  IN  fourteen  shillings. 


1872.  HOLMES,  Poet  at  Breakfast 
Table,  i.  His  face  marked  with  strong 
manly  furrows,  records  of  hard  thinking, 
and  square  STAND-UP  FIGHTS  with  life. 

1877.  HORSLEY,  Jottings  from  Jail. 
If  I  lend  you  these  I  shall  want  to  STAND 
IN  ;  but  I  said  I  can't  stand  you  at  that ; 
I  will  grease  your  dukes  if  you  like. 

STANDER,   subs.   (Old  Cant).— A 

sentinel. 

1607.  ROWLANDS,  Hist.  Rogues 
[quoted  by  RIBTON-TURNER,  Vagrants, 
&*£'  i  583].  And  so  was  faine  to  Hue  among 
the  wicked  sometimes  a  STANDER  for  the 
padder. 

STANDER-UP,  suds.  phr.  (American 
thieves' ) . — A  thief  whose  speciality 
is  robbing  drunken  men  under 
pretence  of  helping  them  home. 

STAND-FAR-OFF  (or  STAND -FUR- 
THER-OFF), subs.  phr.  (old).—  See 
quots. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works  [NARKS].  Cer- 
taine  sonnets,  in  praise  of  Mr.  Thomas  the 
deceased;  fashioned  of  divers  stuffs,  as 
mockado,  fustian,  STAND-FURTHER  OFF, 
and  motley. 

1665.  FULLER.  Ch.  Hist.,  vi.  332. 
False  miracles,  .  .  ,  like  the  stuffe  called 
STAND-FARRE-OFF,  must  not  have  the  be- 
holder too  near,  lest  the  coursnesse  thereof 
doth  appeare.  Ibid.  (1662),  Worthies 
1  Norwich.'  In  my  child-hood  there  was 
one  [cloth]  called  STAND-FAR-OFF  (the  em- 
bleme  of  Hypocrisie),  which  seemed  pretty 
at  competent  distance,  but  discovered  its 
coarseness  when  nearer  to  the  eye. 

STAND- FURTHER,  suds.  phr.  (pro- 
vincial).— A  quarrel,  tiff,  or  dis- 
agreement :  e.g. ,  '  There's  quite  a 
STAND-FURTHER  between  them.' 

STANDING.    See  STAND. 

To  TAKE  STANDING,  verb.  phr. 
(colloquial). — To  accept  or  en- 
dure with  composure  [as  one 
would  take  a  '  high  jump '  without 
a  run  in]  :  hence,  without  ado. 

1901.  Free  Lance,  27  Ap.,  77,  a. 
Like  a  philosophical  American,  he  TOOK 
IT  STANDING,  merely  remarking  to  an 
English  friend  that  it  was  "just  as  cheap 
as  Monte  Carlo,  and  a  durned  sight 
pleasanter." 


Standing-dish. 


349 


Star. 


STANDING-DISH,  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial). —  Any  person  or  thing 
making  a  frequent  appearance : 
e.g.,  a  sponging  diner  out ;  a 
stock  play  ;  &c. ,  &c. 

STANDING-PATTERER,  subs.  phr. 
(streets'). — A  street- vendor  who, 
taking  a  STAND  (y.v.),  '  slings  the 
patter '  to  sell  his  wares  :  almost 
obsolete  since  police  control  under 
the  Metropolitan  Streets'  Act, 
1867  :  cf.  RUNNING  PATTERER. 

STAND-OFF,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
— Polarity  ;  a  holding  off.  As  adj. 
=  distant,  reserved  ;  also  STAND- 
OFFISH and  STAND-OFFISHNESS. 
1873.  ROBINSON,  Her  Face  was  Her 

Fortune,   v.     If   the  landed  gentry  were 

STAND-OFFISH   .    .  .    Miss    Shaldon  .  .  . 

was  all  the  more  grateful  for  their  reserve. 

1888.  WARD,  Robert  Elsmere,  i.  2. 
People  generally  like  the  other  two  much 
better.  Catherine  is  so  STAND-OFF. 

1888.  D.  C.  MURRAY,  Weaker 
Vessel,  xxxii.  I  told  him  I  did  not  like 
this  pride  and  STAND-OFFISHNESS  between 
man  and  man. 

1890.  Atlantic  Mag.,  \xv\.  672.  The 
preferences  of  other  clients,  perhaps  equal 
in  number  and  value,  who  are  fighting 
with  Fabian  tactics,  make  a  complete 

STAND-OFF. 

STAND-UP,  subs.  phr.  (colloquial). 
— I.  A  meal  or  SNACK  (q.v.) 
taken  standing  ;  a  PERPEN- 
DICULAR (q.v.). 

2.  (venery). — An  act  of  coition 
against  a  wall,  tree,  post,  &c.  ;  a 

KNEE-TREMBLER  :      a     PERPEN- 
DICULAR (?.».). 

STANG.  RIDING  THE  STANG,  subs, 
phr.  (old). — See  quots.  and  SKIM- 
MINGTON.  Hence  STANGEY  =  a 
hen-pecked  husband. 

1674.  RAY,  Proverbs,  44.  This 
word  is  still  used  in  some  colleges  in  the 
University  of  Cambridge  :  TO  STANG 
scholars  in  Christmas  being  to  cause  them 
to  ride  on  a  coltstaff  or  pole  for  missing  of 
chappel. 


1782.  CALLANDER,  Two  Ancient 
Scottish  Poems,  154.  A  custom  [is]  still 
prevalent  among  the  country  people  of 
Scotland  :  who  oblige  any  man,  who  is  so 
unmanly  as  to  beat  his  wife,  to  ride  astride 
on  a  long  pole,  borne  by  two  men,  through 
the  village,  as  a  mark  of  the  highest 
infamy.  This  they  call  RIDING  THE 
STANG  ;  and  the  person  who  has  been  thus 
treated  seldom  recovers  his  honour  in  the 
opinion  of  his  neighbours.  When  they 
cannot  lay  hold  of  the  culprit  himself,  they 
put  some  young  fellow  on  the  STANG  or 
pole,  who  proclaims  that  it  is  not  on  his 
own  account  that  he  is  thus  treated,  but  on 
that  of  another  person,  whom  he  names. 

1847.  HALLIWELL,  Archaic  Words, 
s.v.  RIDING  THE  STANG  .  .  .  [One]  cry  or 
proclamation  is  as  follows  : — Ran,  Tan, 
Tan,  the  sign  of  the  old  Tin  Can  ;  Stephen 
Smith's  been  paying  his  daughter  Nan  : 
He  paid  her  both  behind  and  before,  He 
paid  her  'cause  she  wouldn't  be  his  whore. 
He  lick'd  her  neither  with  stake  nor 
slower,  But  up  wi'  his  fist  and  knock'd  her 
ower.  Now  if  Steenie  Smith  don't  mend 
his  manners,  The  skin  of  his  prick  shall  go 
to  the  tanner's  ;  And  if  the  tanner  don't 
tan  it  well ;  Skin,  tanner,  and  prick  shall 
go  to  hell. 

1892.  SYDNEY,  England  and  the 
English,  ii.  255.  RIDING  STANG  was 
another  local  punishment  inflicted  occa- 
sionally upon  the  intemperate,  particularly 
in  the  county  of  Cheshire. 

STAN  GEY,  subs,   (common). — I.  A 
tailor :  see  TRADES. 

2.  (old).—  See  STANG. 

STAR,  subs,  (common). — i.  A  white 
'  blaze '  on  a  horse's  forehead. 

1845.  LONGFELLOW,  Spanish  Stu- 
dent, iii.  6.  Onward,  cabillito  mio,  With 
the  white  STAR  in  thy  forehead. 

2.  (printers').  —  An    asterisk  : 

cf.  DAGGER,  SPEAR,  &C.  FRENCH- 
STARS  =  %*  :  a  mark  of  division 
between  paragraphs,  &c. 

3.  (auctioneers'). — An  article 
introduced  into  a  sale  after  the 
catalogue     has     been     printed : 
marked  in  the  official  copy  by  a 
STAR,  sense  2. 

z 


Star. 


350 


Starched. 


4.  (theatrical). — A  distinguished 
singer  or  player.    Hence  TO  STAR 

THE   PROVINCES  (or  THE   HALLS) 

=  to  go  on  tour  (or  make  the 
round  of  the  music  halls)  as  the 
chief  attraction  (or  as  an  impor- 
tant TURN,  q.V.)  ;  STAR-ENGAGE- 
MENT =  an  important  or  chief 
part ;  STAR-QUELLER  =  a  player 
whose  bad  business  spoils  the 
efforts  of  better  players. 

1903.  Referee,  8  Feb.,  2,  4  I  would 
like  once  more  to  record  my  astonishment 
that  only  STARS  have  pantomime  benefits. 

5.  (venery).— The  female  pu- 
dendum :    see  MONOSYLLABLE  : 

also  THE  STAR  OVER  THE  GAR- 
TER :  cf.  LADY-STAR. 

i7t?].  LORD  CORK,  The  Bumper 
Toast.  Give  me  THE  STAR  that  shines 

OVER   THE  GARTER.      Ibid.      A  STAR   .    .    . 

is  the  emblem  of  Cunt. 

Verb,  (common).— To  strike  a 
window,  mirror,  &c.,  so  that 
cracks  radiate  from  a  common 
centre.  Also  (thieves')  =  to  smash 
a  window  and  rob  its  contents  : 
spec,  as  in  quot.  1856,  or  by 
striking  a  dab  of  putty  with  a  life- 
preserver  :  also  TO  STAR  THE 

GLAZE.  Hence  DONE  FOR  A 
STAR  =  convicted  for  window 
smashing;  THE  STAR-LAY = win- 
dow robbery  (GROSE). 

1838.  BECKETT,  Paradise  Lost,  16. 
To  mill  the  glaze,  and  STAR  the  lamps. 

1856.  G.  L.  CHESTERTON,  Revela- 
tions of  Prison  Life.  Some  crack  a  pane 
in  a  shop-front  and  by  passing  the  wet 
thumb  along,  they  can  direct  the  crack  as 
they  please  ;  then  removing  the  glass  they 
can  remove  the  goods. 

1870.  DIPROSE,  Laugh  and  Learn. 
So,  in  fractional  arithmetic,  it  is  considered 
highly  improper  to  STAR  THE  GLAZE,  in 
falling  through  the  sashes  of  a  grapery, 
when  on  the  look-out  for  grapes. 

To  BLESS  (or  THANK)  ONE'S 
STARS,  verb.  phr.  (colloquial). — 
To  thank  for  one's  good  fortune. 


1633.  MARMION,  Antiquary,  \.  I 
THANK  MY  STARS  he  has  improved  his 
time. 

1706.  WARD,  Wooden  World,  27.  He 
has  oft-times  THANKED  HIS  good  STARS 
for  it. 

c.i 845.      HOOD,    Pauper's    Christmas 
Carol.     Ought  not  I  to  BLESS  MY  STARS? 

MY  STARS  !  phr.  (colloquial). 
— An  exclamation  of  surprise  : 
also  *  MY  STAR  AND  GARTER  !  ' 

1726.  VANBRUGH,  Provoked  Hus- 
band, iii.  MY  STARS  !  and  you  would 
really  live  in  London  half  the  year,  to  be 
sober  in  it. 

STAR- BASON,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
—  An  impudent-looking  fellow 
(HALLIWELL). 

STARCH.  To  TAKE  THE  STARCH 
OUT  OF,  verb.  phr.  (venery). — I. 
To  receive  a  man  :  see  GREENS 
and  RIDE. 

2.  (colloquial). — To  mortify  ; 
to  humiliate  ;  to  abase  another's 
honour  or  dignity. 

1888.  CornhillMag.,yi^  The  free- 
born  Westerner  thinks  the  blamed  Yankee 
puts  on  a  yard  too  much  style — the  Boys 
don't  approve  of  style— and  suavely  pro- 
poses TO  TAKE  THE  STARCH  OUT  OF  HIM. 

STARCHED,  adj  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 
— Affected,  proud,  stiff:  also 
STARCHY.  Hence  STARCH,  subs. 
=  a  stiff,  formal  manner. 

J599-  JONSON,  Every  Man  Out  of 
Humour,  i.  i.  Look  with  a  good 
STARCHED  face,  and  ruffle  your  brow  lik*s 
a  new  boot. 

1704.  SWIFT,  To  Rev.  Dr.  Tisdall, 
20  Ap.  I  might  .  .  .  talk  STARCHLY,  and 
affect  ignorance  of  what  you  would  be  at. 

1711.  ADDISON,  Spectator,  305.  This 
professor  is  to  give  the  society  their 
stiffening,  and  infuse  into  their  manners 
that  beautiful  political  STARCH  which  may 
qualify  them  for  levees,  conferences,  visits. 

1872.  ELIOT,  Middlemarch,  xxii. 
Nothing  like  these  STARCHY  doctors  for 
vanity. 


Starcher. 


351         Star  of  the  Line. 


STARCHER,  subs,  (common).— A 
stiff  white  tie. 

STARCHY,  adj.  (common). — 
Drunk :  see  SCREWED.  Also  see 
STARCHED. 

STARE,  verb.  (Old  Cant). —To 
swagger;  to  bully  (HALLIWELL: 
'a  cant  term'). 

STARE-CAT,  subs.  phr.  (women's). 
— A  meddlesome  or  inquisitive 
neighbour. 

STARF.  STARF  TAKE  YOU,  intj, 
(provincial).  —  An  imprecation ; 
'the  devil  take  you'  (HALLI- 
WELL). 

STAR-GAZER,  subs.  phr.  (common). 
— i.  A  hedge  whore:  see  TART 
(GROSE) ;  and  (2)  a  penis  in 
erection.  To  GO  STARGAZING  ON 
ONE'S  BACK  =  to  copulate :  see 
RIDE. 

c.1704.  WARD,  Works,  *T[om] 
B[rown]'s  Last  Letter.'  If  .  .  .  the  Label 
of  Mortality  .  .  .  begins  to  turn  STAR- 
GAZER,  venture  half  a  crown. 

3.  (old). — '  A  horse  holding  its 
head    well    up    while    trotting ' 

(GROSE). 

4.  (nautical).  —  An    imaginary 
sail,  a  SKYSCRAPER  (q.v.). 

5.  (old). — An  astrologer:  also 
an  astronomer  :   in  contempt  or 

jest.  Also  STAR-CLERK,  STAR- 
CONNER,  STAR  -  DIVINE,  STAR- 
SHOOTER,  and  STAR-MONGER. 

Hence  STAR-CRAFT  =  astrology. 

c.1572.  GASCOIGNE  [CHALMERS,  Eng. 
Poets},  '  The  Fruites  of  Warre,'  15.  If 
Mars  mooue  warre,  as  STARCONNERS  can 
tel. 

1583.  Bible,  Isaiah  xlvii.  13.  Let 
now  the  astrologers,  the  STARREGASERS, 
and  prognosticatours  stand  vp. 

1599'  .JONSON,  Every  Man  Out  of 
Humour,  iii.  2.  Tut,  these  STAKMONGER 
knaves,  who  would  trust  them. 


1621.  SYLVESTER,  Du  Bartas,  in.  i. 
494.  ^  If,  at  the  least,  STAR-CLARKS  be 
credit  worth.  Ibid.,  iv.  i.  134.  So  many 
stars,  whose  greatnes  doth  exceed  So  many 
times  (if  STAR-DIUINES  say  troth)  The 
greatnes  of  the  earth  and  ocean  both. 

1708.  SWIFT,  Elegy  on  Partridge 
A  cobler,  STAR-MONGER  and  quack.  Ibid. 
The  cobling  and  STAR-GAZING  part. 

1742-4.  NORTH,  Life  of  Lord  Guild- 
ford,  ii.  253.  His  lordship  received  him 
with  much  familiarity,  and  encouraged  him 
to  come  and  see  him  often  .  .  .  The  STAR- 
GAZER  was  not  wanting  to  himself  in  that. 

x8[?].  TENNYSON,  Lover's  Tale,  i. 
Under  the  selfsame  aspect  of  the  stars  (O 
falsehood  of  all  STAR-CRAFT)  we  were  born. 

STARING  QUARTER,  subs.  phr. 
(GROSE).—'  An  ox  cheek.' 

STARK-NAKED,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— NEAT (g.v.)  gin  (GROSE) : 
orig.  STRIP-ME-NAKED  (RAN- 
DALL, Diary,  1820) :  also  as  adj. 
=  unadulterated. 
1830.  LYTTON,  Paul  Clifford.  His 

11  bingo"  was  unexceptionable  ;  and  as  for 

his  STARK-NAKED,  it  was  voted  the  most 

brilliant  thing  in  nature. 

STARLING,  subs,  (old  colloquial).— 
I.  See  quots. 

n[?].  Robert  of  Gloucester,  563.  The 
King  of  is  tresorie  eche  yer  him  sende  A 
certein  sume  of  STERLINGS,  to  is  Hue's 
ende. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  12,841. 
Min  holy  pardon  may  you  all  warice,  So 
that  ye  offre  nobles  or  STARLINGES,  Or 
elles  silver  broches,  spones,  ringes. 

1657.  HOWELL,  Londonopolis,  25. 
The  lesser  payments  were  in  STARLINGS, 
which  was  the  only  coin  then  current,  and 
stamp'd,  which  were  pence  so  call'd  :  the 
probablest  Reason  that  is  given,  why  it 
was  STARLING  money,  was,  because  in  the 
ring  or  border  of  the  peny,  there  was  a 
starre  stamped. 

2.    (police).  —  A    marked    or 
'starred'  man. 

See  BROTHER  STARLING. 

STAR  OF  THE  LINE  (THE),  subs, 
phr.  (military). — The  2nd  Batt. 
Worcestershire  Regiment,  late 
The  36th  Foot. 


Star-pitch. 


352 


Start-up. 


STAR- PITCH,  subs,  (tramps'). — 
Sleeping  in  the  open  ;  a  '  doss  in 
HEDGE  SQUARE'  (g.v.). 

STARPS,  subs,  (back  slang). — In//. 
=  sprats. 

STARS-AND-STRIPES,  subs.  phr. 
(American).— The  United  States 
flag :  THE  GRIDIRON  ;  THE  STAR- 
SPANGLED  BANNER.  STARS-AND- 
BARS  =  the  flag  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy,  1861-5. 

1777.  Act  of  Congress.  "Resolved, 
That  the  flag  of  the  thirteen  United 
Colonies  be  THIRTEEN  STRIPES  alternately 
red  and  white ;  that  the  Union  be  THIRTEEN 
STARS,  white  in  a  blue  field,  representing  a 
new  constellation." 

1812.  F.  S.  KEY,  '  The  Star-Spangled 
Banner.'  Oh  !  say,  does  that  STAR- 
SPANGLED  BANNER  yet  wave  O'er  the  land 
of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave  ? 

c.i86i.  Confederate  Song  [BARTLETT]. 
Our  Southern  boys  are  brave  and  true,  and 
are  joining  heart  and  hand,  And  are  flock- 
ing to  the  STARS  AND  BARS,  as  they  are 
floating  o'er  our  land. 

START  (THE),  subs.  phr.  (tramps' 
and  thieves'). — I.  London  ;  and 
(2)  The  Old  Bailey  (also  THE 
OLD  START). — GROSE. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  London  Lab,  I 
got  fullied.  I  was  tried  at  THE  START. 

1891.  CAREW,  Auto,  of  a  Gipsy,  413. 
When  I  come  out  of  steel  I  padded  the 
hoof  to  START.  Ibid.,  434.  It  ain't  no 
manner  of  use  goin'  to  the  hexpense  of 
bringin'  a  fust-class  cracksman  all  the  way 
from  START. 

3.  (old).—  See  quot. 

c.i6g6.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant  Crew,  s.v. 
START,  (Drink)  Brewers  emptying  several 
Barrels  into  a  great  Tub,  and  thence  con- 
veying it  through  a  Leather -pipe  down  the 
Cellar  into  the  Butts. 

4.  (colloquial). — A  happening  : 
e.g.,    A    RUM  START  =  an  odd 
occurrence. 

PHRASES.    To  START  IN  (or 
UP)  =  to  begin ;    TO    START   A 

VESSEL   FROM    THE    STUMP  =  to 


outfit  completely  ;  TO  START  ON 
=  to  beat,  bully,  quiz,  or  take  in 
hand. 

STARTER,    subs.    (B.    E.). — i.    A 

question. 

2.  (old). — A  milksop,  a  pol- 
troon, a  WHITE-LIVER  (q.v.)  : 
1  I'm  no  STARTER  '  =  *  I  shan't 
flinch'  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

c.i6o4.  HEYWOOD,  If  You  Know  not 
Me  [PEARSON,  Works,  i.  213].  Nay,  nay, 
you  need  not  bolt  and  lock  so  fast ;  she  is 

no  STARTER. 

STARTLER,  subs,  (colloquial). — i. 
Generic  for  intensive  surprise  :  see 
WHOPPER. 

1864.  ARTEMUS  WARD,  Among  the 
Mormons  ( Works,  1899),  204.  To  a  young 
person  fresh  from  the  land  of  greenbacks 
this  careless  manner  of  carting  off  solid 
silver  is  rather  of  a  STARTLER. 

START-UP,  subs.  phr.  (old). — i.  An 
upstart ;  '  no-one-knows-who  '  : 
also  as  adj.  —  obscure ;  mushroom. 

1600.  SHAKSPEARE,  Much  Ado,  i.  3. 
That  young  START-UP  hath  all  the  glory  of 
my  overthrow. 

1653.  R-  BROME,  Queen  and  Concu- 
bine, ii.  i.  Upon  my  life,  his  marriage 
with  that  START-UP,  That  snake  this  good 
queen  cocker'd  in  her  bosom. 

1704.  SWIFT,  Tale  of  a  Tub,  i.  Two 
junior  START-UP  societies. 

1764.  WALPOLE,  Castle  of  Otranto, 
iv.  Father  Falconara's  STARTUP  son. 

2.  (old). — In  //.,  see  quots. 
1575  and  1611. 

1575.  THYNNE,  Debate,  33.  A  payre 
of  STARTUPPES  had  he  on  his  feete,  That 
lased  were  up  to  the  small  of  the  legge  ; 
Homelie  they  were,  and  easier  then  meete, 
And  in  their  soles  full  many  a  wooden 
pegge. 

1586-1606.  WARNER,  Albion's  Eng., 
iv.  xx.  95.  And  of  the  bacon's  fat  to  make 
his  STARTOPES  black  and  soft. 

1592.  GREENE,  Quip,  &c.  [Harl. 
Misc.,  v.  329].  But  Hob  and  John  of  the 
country,  they  slept  in  churlishly  in  their 
high  STARTUPS. 


Starvation. 


353         State  Nicknames. 


1599.  HALL,  Satires,  vi.  i.  And  in 
high  START-UPS  walk'd  the  pastur'd 
plaines,  To  tend  her  tasked  herd  that 
there  remaines. 

1605.  DRAYTON,  Eclogues,  ix.  (1753), 
1,429.  When  not  a  shepherd  any  thing 
that  could,  But  greaz'd  his  STARTUPS  black 
as  autumn's  sloe. 

1608.  WITHAL,  Diet.,  211.  In  a 
maner  all  husbandmen  doe  weare  START- 
UPS, sunt  omnes  pene  agricolas  soccati. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet. ,  s.v.  Guestres, 
START-UPS  ;  high  shooes,  or  gamashes  for 
countrey  folks. 

1614.  Terence  in  English.  Some  of 
my  men  comes  running  to  me,  and  pulls  of 
my  STARTUPS,  others  I  see  hasting  to  make 
readie  supper  and  to  lay  the  cloath. 

1629.  MASSINGER,  Picture,  v.  i.  Fie 
upon  't,  what  a  thread  's  here  !  a  poor 
cobler's  wife  Would  make  a  finer  to  sew  a 
clown's  rent  STARTUP. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Kenilvaorth,  xxiv.  A 
stupid  lout  ...  in  a  grey  jerkin,  with  his 
head  bare,  his  hose  about  his  heels,  and 
huge  START-UPS  upon  his  feet. 

STARVATION,  subs,  (old :  now  recog- 
nised).—  See  quots.  [Latham's 
edition  (1866)  of  Todd's  Johnson 
was  the  first  English  Dictionary 
to  include  this  word.] 

1775.  DUNDAS,  Speech  en  American 
Affairs.  I  shall  not  wait  for  the  advent 
of  STARVATION  from  Edinburgh  to  settle 
my  judgment. 

1781.  WALPOLE,  Letters,  'To  Rev. 
W.  Mason,'  25  April.  STARVATION  Dun- 
das,  whose  pious  policy  suggested  that  the 
devil  of  rebellion  could  be  expelled  only  by 
fasting. 

18511  MITFORD,  Correspond,  of  Wai- 
pole  [CUNNINGHAM,  yiii.  30.  Note].  STAR- 
VATION was  an  epithet  applied  to  Mr. 
Dundas,  the  word  being,  for  the  first  time, 
introduced  into  our  language  by  him,  in  a 
speech  in  1775  in  an  American  debate,  and 
thenceforward  became  a  nickname. 

1899.  Century  Diet.,  s.v.  STARVA- 
TION. The  word  is  noted  as  one  of  the 
first  (flirtation  being  another)  to  be  formed 
directly  from  a  native  English  verb  with 
the  Latin  termination  —  ation  .  .  .  first 
used  or  brought  into  notice  by  Henry 
Dundas,  first  Viscount  Melville. 


STARVE  'EM,  ROB'EM,  AND  CHEAT 

'EM,/^r.  (old  nautical  and  mili- 
tary).— Stroud,  Rochester,  and 
Chatham :  cf.  THE  LONDON 
SMASH  'EM  AND  DO-FOR-'EM  RY. 
=  The  L.C.D.R. 

STASH,  verb,  (common). — To  de- 
sist ;  to  set  aside  ;  TO  STOW  IT  : 

e.g.,    TO    STASH    PRIGGING  =  to 

turn  honest ;  TO  STASH  ONE'S  PAT- 
TER =  to  hold  one's  tongue  ;  TO 

STASH  THE  LUSH  =  tO  Stop  BOOZ- 
ING (q.V.). 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
WANTED  ...  It  becomes  the  latter  [a 
thief]  to  keep  out  of  the  way  .  .  .  until  he 
.  .  .  can  find  means  to  STASH  the  business 
through  the  medium  of  Mr.  Palmer. 

1827.  LYTTON,  Pelham,  Ixxxii. 
STASH  the  lush  .  .  .  and  toddle  off  to 
Ruggins. 

1830.  JON  BEE,  Living  Picture  of 
London.  What  to  the  heel  do  you  STASH 
at?  I'll  chive  you. 

1841.  LEMAN  REDE,  Sixteen  String 
Jack,  i.  6.  STASH  your  patter  and  come 
along. 

STATE  NICKNAMES.  The  colloquial 
designation  of  various  States  and 
peoples  of  the  American  Union  is 
as  follows : — BADGER  STATE  = 
Wisconsin  ;  BAY  STATE  =  Massa- 
chusetts ;  BAYOU  STATED  Missis- 
sippi ;  BEAR  STATE  =  (i)  Arkan- 
sas, (2)  California  (Century},  and 
(3)  Kentucky  (Century] ;  BIG 
BEND  STATE  =  Tenessee  :  people 
=  MUDHEADS;  BLUE  HEN  STATE 
=  Delaware  :  people  =  BLUE 
HEN'S  CHICKENS;  BLUE-LAW 
STATE  =  Connecticut :  also  infra ; 
BUCK-EYE  STATE=Ohio;  BUL- 
LION STATE  =  Missouri:  peoples 
PUKES ;  CENTENNIAL  STATE  = 
Colorado  :/^//<?= CENTENNIALS; 
CORN-CRACKER  STATE  =  Ken- 
tucky :  /^/<?  =  CORNCRACKERS  ; 

CRACKER  STATE  =  Georgia  : 
people  —  CRACKERS  ;  CREOLE 
STATE  =  Louisiana  :  also  infra  ; 


State  Nicknames.         354         State  Nicknames. 


THE  DARK  AND  BLOODY 
GROUND  =  Kentucky  :  also  supra; 
DIAMOND  STATE  =  Delaware  : 
also  supra ;  EMPIRE  STATE  = 
New  York  :  also  infra :  people  — 
KNICKERBOCKERS;  EMPIRE 
STATE  OF  THE  SOUTH  =  Georgia  : 
people^ CRACKERS;  EXCELSIOR 
STATE  =  New  York  :  also  supra  ; 
FREESTONE  STATE  =  Connecti- 
cut :  also  supra  and  infra  ;  GAR- 
DEN STATE  =  Kansas  :  also  infra; 
GOLDEN  STATE  =  California :  also 
supra;  GOPHER  STATE = Minne- 
sota ;  GRANITE  STATE  =  New 
Hampshire  ;  GREEN  MOUNTAIN 
STATE  =  Vermont;  GULF  STATE 
=  Florida  :  also  infra  ;  HAWK- 
EYE  STATE  =  Iowa  :  people  = 
HAWKEYES  ;  HOOSIER  STATE  = 
Indiana  :  people  =  HOOSIERS; 
KEYSTONE  STATE  =  Pennsyl- 
vania; LAKE  ST ATE = Michigan  : 
people— WOLVERINES  ;  LAND  OF 
STEADY  HABITS  =  Connecticut : 
also  supra;  LITTLE  RHODY  = 
Rhode  Island ;  LONE  STAR  STATE 
=  Texas  :  people  —  BEEFHEADS  ; 
LUMBER  STATE  =  Maine ;  also 
infra;  MOTHER  OF  PRESIDENTS 
(or  STATES)  =  Virginia:  also  infra; 
MUDCAT  STATE  =  Mississippi : 
also  supra;  NEW  ENGLAND  OF 
THE  WEST  =  Minnesota  :  also 
supra;  OLD  COLONY  =  Massa- 
chusetts :  also  supra ;  OLD  DO- 
MINION =  Virginia  :  also  supra  ; 
OLD  LINE  STATE  =  Maryland  ; 
OLD  NORTH  STATE  =  North 
Carolina  :  also  infra  ;  PALMETTO 
STATE  =  South  Carolina ;  PAN 
HANDLE  STATE = West  Virginia ; 
PELICAN  STATE = Louisiana :  also 
supra;  PENINSULAR  STATE  = 
Florida:  a\so  supra;  PINE  TREE 
STATE  =  Maine  :  also  supra ; 
PRAIRIE  STATE  =  Illinois  :  also 
infra  ;  SAGE-HEN  STATE  (or  SIL- 
VER STATE)  =  Nevada  ;  SQUAT- 
TER STATE = Kansas  :  also  supra; 


SUCKER  STATE  =  Illinois  :  also 
supra;  TURPENTINE  STATE  = 
North  Carolina  :  people  =  TAR- 
HEELS :  also  supra ;  WEB-FOOT 
STATE  =  Oregon  ;  WOLVERINE 
STATE  =  Michigan  :  people  — 
WOLVERINES  ;  WOODEN  NUT- 
MEG STATE  =  Connecticut :  also 
supra. 

1835.  HOFFMAN,  Winter  in  the 
West,  210.  There  was  a  long-haired 
HOOSIER  from  Indiana,  a  couple  of  smart- 
looking  SUCKERS  from  Illinois,  a  keen-eyed, 
leather-belted  BADGER  from  Wisconsin  : 
and  who  could  refuse  to  drink  with  such  a 
company  ? 

i8[?].  Am.  Congress,  '  Am.  Rejected 
Addresses."  Broad  Indiana's  HOOSIER  sons 
her  fame  must  needs  keep  good. 

1848.  New  York  Herald,   13  June. 
Thank  God,   in    my   own    State,   in  the 
BULLION  STATE,  they  did  not  succeed  in 
depreciating  our  majority. 

1849.  WHITTIER,  Voices  of  Freedom. 
What  means  the  OLD  DOMINION  ?    Hath 
she  forgot   the  day,  When  o'er  her  con- 
quered valleys  swept    the  Briton's    steel 
array  ?    Ibid.     Lift  again  the  stately  em- 
blem on  the  BAY  STATE'S  rusted  shield, 
Give  to  Northern  winds  the  pine-tree  on 
our  banner's  tattered  field  ! 

1850.  ALLIN,  Yankee  Ballads.    The 
EMPIRE  STATE  is  your  New  York  ;  I  grant 
it  hard  to  mate  her  ;  Yet  still  give  me  the 
NUTMEG  STATE,  Where  shall  we  find  a 
greater  ? 

1856.  STOWE,  Dred.,  i.  152.  I  was 
amused  enough,  said  Nina,  with  Old 
Hundred's  indignation  at  having  got  out 
the  carriage  and  horses  to  go  over  to  what 
he  called  a  CRACKER  funeral. 

1859.  BARTLETT,  Americanisms,  s.v. 
BEAR  STATE.  I  once  asked  a  Western 
man  if  Arkansas  abounded  in  bears,  that 
it  should  be  designated  as  the  "  Bear 
State."  Yes,  said  he,  it  does  ;  for  I  never 
knew  a  man  from  that  State  but  he  was  a 
BAR,  and  in  fact  the  people  are  all  BARISH 
to  a  degree. 

1861.  Charleston  Mercury,  'War 
Song.'  March,  march  on,  brave  PALMETTO 
BOYS,  Sumter  and  Lafayette,  forward  in 
order. 

1861.  Delaware  Inquirer,  5  May 
Delaware's  honor  is  in  your  hands  .  .  . 
BLUE  HEN'S  CHICKENS  to  the  front !  For- 
ward  !  March ! 


State  Nicknames.         355 


Stave. 


1861.  N.  York  Observer,  26  Dec.  A 
young  lady  from  the  rural  districts  ^of 
HOOSIERDOM  lately  visited  Chicago  with 
her  beau. 

18  [?].  Voice  from  the  South,  53.  Let 
us  not  forget  the  cynosure  of  Indepen- 
dence [i.e.  Massachusetts] ;  but  bid  her  a 
kind  farewell  for  her  pilotage  through  the 
breakers  of  the  Revolution — put  the  LONE 
STAR  in  its  place. 

£.1861-5.  MASON,  Southern  Poems  of 
the  War,  95.  And  Texans  will  fight, 
'Neath  the  flag  of  the  LONE  STAR,  For 
God  and  their  right. 

1865.  WHEELER,  Diet.  s.v.  DARK 
AND  BLOODY  GROUND  (The]).  An  expres- 
sion formerly  much  used  in  allusion  to 
Kentucky,  of  which  name  it  is  said  to  be  a 
translation.  The  phrase  is  an  epitome  of 
the  early  history  of  the  State,  of  the  dark 
and  bloody  conflicts  of  the  first  white 
settlers  with  their  savage  foes  ;  but  the 
name  originated  in  the  fact  that  this  was 
the  grand  battle  -  ground  between  the 
Northern  and  Southern  Indians. 

1872.  EGGLESTON,  Hoosier  School- 
master. It  has  been  in  my  mind  since  I 
was  a  HOOSIER  boy  to  do  something 
toward  describing  life  in  the  back-country 
districts  of  the  Western  States. 

1877.  HALE,  Adv.  of  a  Pullman, 
30.  So  they  whirled  relentlessly  across 
the  PAN-HANDLE,  by  which  domestic 
name  that  funny  strip  of  Western  Virginia 
is  known  that  shoots  up  like  an  inverted 
icicle  between  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio. 

1877.  PRES.  HAYES,  Speech  [Provi- 
dence, 28  June].  I  ask  every  lady  and 
gentleman  to  consider  that  here  and  now  I 
give  you  a  hearty  BUCKEYE  shake.  Ibid. 
[Louisville,  17  Sep.]  The  once  DARK  AND 
BLOODY  GBOUND  of  Kentucky,  no  longer 
so,  but,  as  I  trust  in  God,  here  and  else- 
where a  land  of  peace,  prosperity,  and 
happiness. 

1877.  New  York  Tribune,  6  July, 
old  church  in  Nassau  Street  (New  York) 
was  dedicated  in  1732  .  .  .  The  congrega- 
tion was  composed  of  the  wealthiest  and 
most  prominent  people  of  Manhattan 
Island— the  veritable  KNICKERBOCKERS. 

</.i8oi.  LOWELL,  Poems.  When  first 
the  Pilgrims  landed  on  the  BAY  STATE'S 
iron  shore,  The  word  went  forth  that 
slavery  should  one  day  be  no  more. 

1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories,  iii. 
The  game,  as  she  is  played  in  the  LAND 
OF  STEADY  HABITS  .  .  . 


To  LIE  IN  STATE,  verb.  phr. 
(GROSE).—  'To  be  in  bed  with 
three  regular  harlots.' 

IN    A    STATE   OF    ELEVATION, 

verb.  phr.   (common).  —  More  or 
less  drunk  :  see  SCREWED. 

1749.  SMOLLETT,  Gil  Bias  (1812),  n. 
iv.  We  drank  hard,  and  went  home  in  a 
STATE  OF  ELEVATION,  that  is  half-seas 
over. 

IN   A  STATE  OF  NATURE.      See 

NATURE'S  GARB. 

STATES  OF  INDEPENDENCY,  subs. 
phr.  (GROSE).—  'Frontiers  of  Ex- 
travagance. Oxf.  Univ.  Cant.* 

STATIONERY,  subs,  (theatrical).  — 
Free  passes;  PAPER  (g.v.}. 

STAVE,  verb.  (American).  —  To  press 
onwards  regardless  of  everything  : 
generic  for  vigorous  action.  Hence 
STAVING  =  (i)  dashing,  active, 
and  (2)  great,  strong,  &c.  —  a 
general  intensive.  STAVER  = 
anybody  or  anything  exception- 
ally active,  brilliant,  or  dashing  ; 
a  ROUSER  (q.v.).  Also  TO  RIP 
(g.V.)  AND  STAVE. 

1842.  KIRKLAND,  Forest  Life  [BART- 
LETT].  Hilloa,  Steve  !  where  are  you 
STAVING  to?  If  you're  for  Wellington, 
scale  up  here,  and  I'll  give  you  a  ride. 

1848.  Am.  Review,  June.  A  presi- 
dent of  one  of  our  colleges  once  said  to  a 
graduate  at  parting,  "  My  son,  I  want  to 
advise  you.  Never  oppose  public  opinion. 
The  great  world  will  STAVE  right  on  !  " 


.  Cincinnati  7Yw«[BARTLETT]. 
A  STAVING  dram  put  him  in  better 
humour.  Strange  what  arguments  some 
people  require. 

1869.  STOWE,  Oldtown  Folks,  117. 
Miss  Asphyxia's  reputation  in  the  region 
was  perfectly  established.  She  was 
spoken  of  with  applause,  under  such  titles 
as  a  STAVER,  a  pealer,  a  roarer  at  work. 

1884.  Century  Mag.,  xxxviii.  41. 
He  .  .  .  went  STAVING  down  the  street  as 
if  afraid  to  look  behind  him. 


Stay 


356  Steady  Habits. 


STAY,  subs.  (old;. — I.  A   cuckold 

(GROSE). 

2.  (colloquial). —  Haifa  meal : 
also  STAY-BELLY.  Also  as  verb. 

(or  TO  STAY  THE  STOMACH). 

1610.  JONSON,  Alchemist,  iii.  2.  A 
piece  of  gingerbread  to  be  merry  withal, 
And  STAY  YOUR  STOMACH  lest  you  faint 
with  fasting. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xi.  I 
could  eat  both  portions  four  times  over,  of 
course,  but  the  meal  as  it  stand  is  a  STAY. 

Verb,  (colloquial).  —  To  en- 
dure, last  out,  or  persevere  :  as 
an  athlete  in  exercise,  a  horse  in 
racing,  an  author  in  public  favour. 
Hence  STAYER  =  anybody  or  any- 
thing capable  of  holding  on  for  a 
long  time ;  STAYING-POWER  = 
capacity  for  endurance. 

1885.  D.  Tel.,  14  Sep.  He  won  at 
Lincoln  .  .  .  and  would  STAY  better  than 
Pizarro.  Ibid.,  n  Nov.  Doubts  are  also 
entertained  concerning  her  ability  to  STAY 
the  course. 

1885.  Field,  3  Oct.  Monolith  has 
never  been  thought  such  a  genuine  STAYER 
as  to  prefer  two  miles  to  one. 

1898.  GOULD,  Landed  at  Last,  iv. 
Workman  was  certainly  a  horse  to  inspire 
confidence,  being  well-shaped  and  built 
like  a  STAYER.  Ibid.  Not  one  of  my 
horses  has  failed  through  lack  of  STAYING 
POWER,  or  because  he  was  not  fit. 

PHRASES,  &c.— To  STAY  PUT 
=  to  remain  as  placed ;  TO  STAY 
WITH  =  to  court  (American)  ;  TO 
STAY  OUT  (Eton  :  see  quot.) ; 
COME  TO  STAY  =  said  of  anything 
meeting  a  public  need,  or  with 
approval  or  favour ;  TO  UNLACE 
ONE'S  STAYS  =  to  copulate :  see 
GREENS  and  RIDE. 

1857-64  BRINSLEY  RICHARDS,  Seven 
Years  at  Eton.  Sometimes  Blazes  had  a 
lazy  fit,  and  put  himself  on  the  sick  list  for 
a  day.  This  was  called  STAY  OUT,  for  the 
reason  that  one  had  to  stay  in. 

1870.  "  MAC,"  Sketchy  Memories  of 
Eton.  Many  things  at  Eton  were  called 
by  misnomers,  in  the  construction  of  which 
the  Incus  a  non  lucendo  principle  came 


put  very  strong.  Thus,  when  we  stayed 
in,  we  said  we  were  STAYING  OUT  ;  when 
"  absence "  was  called,  we  had  to  be 
present. 

1876.  WHITNEY,  Sights  and  Insights, 
37.  We  piled  our  bags  and  baskets  .  .  . 
'  If  they  will  only  STAY  PUT,'  said  Emery 
Ann. 

1901.  Athenccum,  13  Ap.,  455,  i. 
The  issue  ...  of  Byron's  letters  will 
leave  very  little  doubt  in  the  mind  of  the 
reading  public  of  the  new  century  that 
Lord  Byron  as  a  letter-writer  has  COME  TO 
STAY. 

1903.  Referee,  8  Feb.,  7,  4.  No  one 
with  half  a  grain  of  sense  could  for  a 
moment  question  the  autocars'  many 
merits,  nor  their  having  COME  TO  STAY 
and  become  a  great  power  in  the  land. 

STAY-AT-HOME,  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— A  person  of  domestic 
tastes;  a  HOME-BIRD  (g.v.).  ;  a 
HOUSE-DOVE  (q.v.)i  as  adj.  = 
fond  of  remaining  at  home ;  the 
reverse  of  GAD-ABOUT  (q.v.). 

1814.     AUSTEN,   Mansfield  Park,  v 
A  talking  pretty  young  woman  like  Mis  s 
Crawford  is  always  pleasant  society  to  an 
indolent,  STAY-AT-HOME  man. 

1855.  KINGSLEV,  Westward  Ho,  xv. 
Go  forth  and  find  us  STAY-AT-HOMES  ne  w 
markets  for  our  ware. 

1863.  GASKELL,  Sylvia's  Lovers,  ix. 
"Cold!"  said  her  father,  "what  do  ye 
STAY-AT-HOMES  know  about  cold?" 

1883.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  z  Nov.  The 
quantity  of  admiration  might  make  a 
modest  STAY-AT-HOME  dizzy  to  contem- 
plate. 

STAY-TAPE,  subs.  phr.  (old).— A 
tailor  :  see  TRADES.  [GROSE  : 
'  from  that  article  and  its  co- 
adjutor buckram,  which  formerly 
made  no  small  figure  in  the  bills 
of  these  knights  of  the  needle']. 

STEADY  HABITS.  THE  LAND  OF 
STEADY  HABITS,  subs.  phr. 
(American).  —  Connecticut  :  see 
STATE  NICKNAMES.  [BART- 
LETT  :  *  On  account  of  the  staid 
deportment  and  excellent  morals 
of  the  people.'] 


Steal. 


357 


Steep. 


1896.  LILLARD,  Poker  Stories ,  iii. 
The  most  interesting  jack-pot  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  game,  as  she  is  played  in  THE 
LAND  OF  STEADY  HABITS,  has  been  raked 
into  the  coffers  of  the  Goddess  of  Justice 
in  a  lively  Connecticut  borough. 

STEAL.  See  BREWER'S-BASKET,  and 
STALE. 

STEAM,  subs,  (colloquial). — Force  ; 
energy;  GO  (q.v.}. 

STEAM-ENGINE,  subs.  phr.  (Man- 
chester).— Potato-pie  (HOTTEN). 

STEAMER,  subs.  (old). — A  pipe:  a 
SWELL-STEAMER  =  a  long  pipe 
(GROSE). 

STEAMING,  subs,  (military).  —  A 
steamed  pudding. 

STEAM-PACKET,  subs.  phr.  (rhy- 
ming).— A  jacket. 

STEEL,  subs.  (old). — The  House  of 
Correction,  Coldbath  Fields, 
London  (GROSE)  :  latterly,  any 
prison  or  lock-up.  [Originally 
(HOTTEN)  The  Bastille]. 
1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lend.  Lab.,  i. 

457.     The  only   thing  that  frightens    me 

when  I'm  in  prison  is  sleeping  in  a  cell  by 

myself— you  do  in  the  Old  Horse  and  the 

STEEL. 

1877.    Five  Years  Penal  Servitude,  \. 

The  STEEL,  a  slang  name  for  the  large 

metropolitan  prisons. 

1888.  J.  GREENWOOD,  Dick  Temple. 
"  And  the  STEEL — the  place  to  which  Mr. 
Eggshells  alludes  in    connection   with  his 
retirement?"      "Coldbath      Fields,"    re- 
sponded Mr.  Badger,  promptly,  "quod — 
gaol — prison — that's  the  STEEL." 

1889.  THOR  FREDUR,  Sketches  from 
Shady  Places.     He  pitched  into  the  police- 
man, was  lugged  off  to  the  STEEL,  had  up 
before  the  magistrate,  and  got  a  month. 

STEELBACKS  (THE),  subs.  phr. 
(military).  —  I.  The  1st  Batt. 
Northamptonshire  Regiment,  the 
late  48th  Foot ;  and  (2)  The  1st 
Batt.  Middlesex  Regiment,  the 
late  57th  Foot. 


STEEL-BAR,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
needle.  Hence  STEEL  -  BAR 
DRIVER  (or  FLiNGER)  =  a  needle- 
man  (or  woman)  :  spec,  a  jour- 
neyman tailor  (GROSE).  See 
TRADES. 

STEEL- BOY,  subs.  (Irish).  -—  See 
quot. 

1772.  [THACKERAY,  Barry  Lyndon, 
xvi.]  The  kingdom  of  Ireland  was  at 
this  period  ravaged  by  various  parties  of 
banditti ;  who,  under  the  name  of  White- 
boys,  Oakboys,  STEELBOYS,  with  captains 
at  their  head,  killed  proctors,  fired  stacks, 
houghed  and  maimed  cattle,  and  took  the 
law  into  their  own  hands. 

STEEL-PEN  COAT,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  dress  coat :  a  SWAL- 
LOW-TAIL (?.v.). 

STEENKIRK,  subs.  (old). — 'A  Mus- 
lin neckcloth  carelessly  put  on,' 
'from  the  manner  in  which  the 
French  officers  wore  their  cravats 
when  they  returned  from  the 
Battle  of  Steenkirk'  [1692], 
'afterwards  a  Fashion  for  both 
sexes'  (B.  E.  and  GROSE).  Like- 
wise applied  to  other  articles  of 
dress,  as  wigs,  buckles,  &c. 

STEEP,  adj.  and  adv.  (colloquial). 
— A  general  intensive  :  cf.  TALL. 
Thus  a  STEEP  (=  high)  price; 
STEEP  (=  excessive)  damages;  a 
STEEP  ( =  a  difficult  or  forlorn) 
undertaking  ;  a  STEEP  ( =  heavy) 
tax,  &c.  Too  STEEP  =  too  ab- 
surd (bad,  idiotic,  or  impudent) 
for  acceptance.  Hence,  in  the 
same  sense  PRECIPITOUS  {q.v.}. 
Fr.  raide. 

1841.  EMERSON,  Essays,  i  S.,  302. 
Perhaps  if  we  should  meet  Shakspeare  we 
should  not  be  conscious  of  any  STEEP 
inferiority. 

1857.  Chicago  Tribune,  17  Oct.  At 
the  election  in  Minnesota,  one  hundred 
and  ten  Winnebago  Indians  .  .  .  voted 
the  Democratic  ticket ;  but  the  agent 
thought  this  was  rather  STEEP,  so  he  after- 
wards crossed  that  number  from  the  list. 


Steeple. 


358 


Step. 


1858.  Baltimore  Sun,  23  Aug.  The 
verdict  by  twelve  of  seventeen  of  a  jury 
giving  150,000  dollars  as  damages  to  a 
Land  and  Water- Power  Company,  at  the 
Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac  ...  is  re- 
garded as  decidedly  STEEP. 

1882-3.  FROUDE,  Sketches,  164. 
Neither  priest  nor  squire  was  able  to  estab- 
lish any  STEEP  difference  in  outward  ad- 
vantages between  himself  and  the  commons 
among  whom  he  lived. 

STEEPLE,  subs,  (old  colloquial). — 
A  woman's  head-dress :  I4th 
Century.  Also,  later,  a  steeple- 
crowned  hat  for  either  sex  (see 
quot.  1583). 

1583.  STUBBES,  Anat.  of  Abuses 
(1585),  f.  at.  Long  hats  pearking  up  like 
the  spere  or  shaft  of  a  STEKPLE,  standyng 
a  quarter  of  a  yarde  above  the  croune  of 
their  heades,  some  more,  some  lesse,  as 
please  the  phantasies  of  their  inconstant 
mindes. 

1601.  WRIGHT,  Passions  of  the  Mind 
(1621),  330.  STEEPLED  HATS. 

c.  1704.  [ASHTON,  Queen  Anne,  n.  138]. 
The  women  wearing  the  old  country 
STEEPLE-CROWNED  HAT  and  simply  made 
gowns. 

1706.  WARD,  Hudibras  Redivivus. 
The  good  old  dames  ...  In  stiffen-body'd 
russet  gowns,  And  on  their  heads  old 

STEEPLE-CROWNS. 

1837.  BROWNING,  Strafford.  An  old 
doublet  and  a  STEEPLE  HAT. 

1888.  Ency.  Brit.,  vi.  469.  Some 
of  the  more  popular  of  these  strange 
varieties  of  headgear  have  been  dis- 
tinguished as  the  'horned,'  the  'mitre,' 
'  the  STEEPLE  ' — in  France  known  as  the 
1  hennin ' — and  the  butterfly. 

STEEPLE- FAIR,  subs.  phr.  (old). — 
The  simoniacal  mart:  in  quot. 
1599  =  St.  Paul's.  [Formerly 
church  doors  were  plastered  with 
all  kinds  of  miscellaneous  adver- 
tisements :  see  SIQUIS.] 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  in.  v.  7.  Thou 
servile  foole,  why  coulds't  thou  not  repaire 
To  buy  a  benefice  at  STEEPLE-FAIRE. 

1606.  Return  from  Parnassus,  iy.  2. 
Are  not  you  the  young  drover  of  livings 
Academico  told  me  of  that  haunts  STEEPLE- 
FAIRS? 


STEEPLE-HOUSE,  subs.  phr.  (old 
Quakers'). — A  church  (GROSE). 

d.i6go.  Fox,  Journal  (Philadelphia), 
167.  The  reason  why  I  would  not  go  into 
their  STEEPLE  HOUSE  was  because  I  was 
to  bear  my  testimony  against  it,  and  to 
bring  all  off  from  such  places  to  the  Spirit 
of  God,  that  they  might  know  their  bodies 
to  be  the  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

1890.  WHITTIER,  Poems,  '  The  Old 
South.  There  are  STEEPLE-HOUSES  on 
every  hand,  And  pulpits  that  bless  and 
ban ;  And  the  Lord  will  not  grudge  the 
single  church,  That  is  set  apart  for  man. 

STEER,  verb,  (nautical). — STEER 
has  furnished  one  or  two  collo- 
quialisms :  thus  TO  STEER  A 
TRICK  =  to  take  a  turn  at  the 
wheel ;  TO  STEER  SMALL  =  to 
exercise  care  or  skill ;  TO  GIVE  A 
STEER  =  to  give  a  TIP  (g.v.). 

STEERER.    See  BUNCO-STEERER. 

STEERING-COMMITTEE,  subs.  phr. 
(American  political).  —  A  com- 
mittee of  direction;  WIREPULLERS 
(q.v.). 

STEEVER.     See  STIVER. 

STEM,  subs,  (colloquial). — In//.  = 
the  legs. 

STEM-WINDER,  subs.  phr.  (Ameri- 
can).— Anything  well-finished  : 
hence,  the  best  of  its  kind. 
[STEM-WINDER = keyless  watch: 
at  the  time  a  new  and  exquisite 
improvement.  ] 

STEP,  verb,  (colloquial). — To  make 
off:  also  TO  STEP  IT:  see  AB- 
SQUALULATE.  Also  (military)  == 
to  desert. 

To  STEP  OUT,  verb.  phr.  (com- 
mon).—To  die :  see  ALOFT. 

STEP  DOWN  AND  OUT  !  intj. 
phr.  (American).— "  Shut  up!" 
"Stow  it!"  "You're  done!" 


Stephen. 


359 


Stew. 


STEPHEN  (or  STEVEN),  subs.  (old). 

—Money  :  generic.  '  STEPHEN'S 
at  home '  =  '  lie's  got  'em ' 
(GROSE  and  VAUX). 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  'Double 
Cross.'  I  rather  fancies  that  it's  news,  How 
in  a  mill,  both  men  should  lose  ;  For  vere 
the  odds  are  thus  made  even,  It  plays  the 
dickens  with  the  STEVEN. 

ST.  STEPHEN'S  LOAF,  subs, 
pkr.  (old).  — See  quot. 

1696.  MOTTEUX,  Rabelais,  v.  42. 
Having  said  this,  he  took  up  one  of  ST. 
STEPHEN'S  LOAVES,  alias  a  stone,  and  was 
going  to  hit  him  with  it  about  the  middle. 

STEPMOTHER,  subs,  (colloquial). — 
A  horny  filament  growing  up  the 
side  of  the  finger-nail.  STEP- 
MOTHER'S BLESSING  =  a  '  hang- 
nail.' 

STEPPER,  subs,  (prison). — i.  The 
treadmill  ;  the  EVERLASTING 
STAIRCASE  (q.V.). 

2.  (colloquial). — A  high-spirited 
or  full-actioned  horse :  also  REGU- 
LAR STEPPER  and  HIGH-STEPPER. 
Hence  anybody  or  anything  more 
than  usually  good  of  its  kind. 
Cf.  HIGHFLYER. 

1886.  Field,  16  Jan.  The  man  who 
wants  a  pair  of  STEPPERS. 

STEPPING-KEN,  subs.  phr.  (chiefly 
American).  —  Dancing  rooms  : 
espec.  such  as  are  frequented  by 
sailors. 

STEREO,  subs,  (printers'). — Stale 
news  :  see  GEORGE  HORNE. 

STERLING.    See  STARLING. 

STERN,  subs,  (colloquial). — The 
backside ;  THE  BUM  (q.v.).  Hence 
STERN-FOREMOST  =  backwards, 
arse  -  first ;  ASTERN  =  behind  ; 
STERN  -  UPPERMOST  =  on  one's 
face  ;  STERN -CHASE  =  a  pursuit ; 

STERN-CHASER  =  E  Sodomite. 


1590.  SPENSER,  Fairy  Queen,  i.  xi. 
8.  He  .  .  .  gan  his  sturdy  STERNE  about 
to  weld. 

1836.  M.  SCOTT,  Tom  Cringle's 
Log.  Steer  clear  of  the  stem  of  a  sailing 
ship,  or  the  STERN  of  a  kicking  horse, 
Tom. 

1868.  FURNIVALL  [Book  o)  Prece- 
dence (E.  E.  T.  S.)  Forewords,  xxiii.]. 
We  don't  want  to  deceive  ourselves  about 
them,  or  fancy  them  cherubs  without 
STERNS. 

1902.  Athenceum,  8  Feb.,  176,  3.  He 
was  taught  nothing,  except  that  jumping 
to  any  word  of  command  saved  his  bows 
from  cuffing,  his  STERN  from  kicking. 

TO   BRING   A   SHIP    DOWN    BY 

THE  STERN,  verb.  phr.  (nautical). 
— To  over  officer. 

1835.  DANA,  Before  the  Mast,  xiy. 
We  had  now  four  officers,  and  only  six  in 
the  forecastle.  This  was  BRINGING  HER 
too  much  DOWN  BY  THE  STERN  for  our 
comfort. 

STERN-POST,  subs. phr.  (venery).— 
The  penis :  see  PRICK. 

STEVEN.    See  STEPHEN. 
STEVER.    See  STIVER. 

STEW,  subs,  (old  colloquial  and  lite- 
rary).— i.  A  fish-pond.  Whence 
2.  (colloquial  and  literary),  in  //. 
=  a  brothel,  or  a  street  of 
brothels.  STEW  (old)  =  a  harlot 
is  rare,  and  may  very  well  be 
an  effect  of  ignorance  or  affecta- 
tion on  the  user's  part.  But 
STEWISH  (or  STEWED),  adj.  — 
bordelesque,  whorish,  harlotry 
(in  the  worst  sense). 

1362.  LANGLAND,  Piers  Plowman, 
3936.  Jonette  of  the  STUWES. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  '  Friars 
Tale.'  Wommen  of  the  STIVES.  Ibid. 
(C)  xxiii.  159.  Sleuthe  .  .  .  wedded  one 
Wanhope,  a  wenche  of  the  STEWES. 

c.i  520.  Hick  Scorner  [DODSLEY,  Old 
Plays  (HAZLITT),  i.  180].  My  mother  was 
a  lady  of  the  STEWS  .  .  .  And  .  .  .  my 
father  wore  an  home. 


Stew. 


360 


Stew. 


c.i  520.  Mayd  Emlyn  [HAZLITT,  Pop. 
Poet.,  iv.  96].  And  bycause  she  loued 
rydynge,  At  the  STEWES  was  her  abydynge. 

^.1529.  SKELTON,  Bowge  of  Courte, 
400.  Now  renne  muste  I  to  the  STEWYS 
syde,  To  wete  yf  Malkyn,  my  lemman, 
haue  gete  oughte  :  I  let  her  to  hyre,  that 
men  may  on  her  ryde. 

1530.  PALSGRAVE,  Lang.  Francoyse, 
s.v.  STEWES,  a  place  for  commen  women, 
bordeau, 

*535-  Bible  [CovERDALE],  Ezek.  xvi- 
39.  [They]  shal  breake  downe  thy  STEWES. 
and  destroy  thy  brodel  houses. 

1546.  Proclamation  \_MSS.  note  by 
R.  SMITH  quoted  by  HEARNB,  Diary, 
Oct.  12,  1713].  These  abhominable  STEW- 
HOUSES  were  kept  in  Southwark  .  .  .  being 
whited  houses,  painted  with  signes  to 
know  them.  These  bawdy  houses  were 
tollerated,  and  had  lawes  and  orders  made 
for  the  STEW-HOLDERS  to  observe. 

1550.  CROWLEY,  Epigrams.  The 
bawds  of  the  STEWS  be  turned  al  out ;  But 
some  think  they  inhabit  al  England 
throughout. 

1564.  UDAL,  Apoph.  Eras.  O  Aris- 
tippus  thou  art  a  greate  medler  with  this 
woman,  beyng  a  STEWED  strumpette. 

1566.  STILL,  Gammer  Gurton's 
Needle  [DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (HAZLITT), 
iii.  217].  Where  is  the  strong  STEWED 
whore  ? 

1573.  BARET,  Alvearie.  The  STEWES, 
or  place  without  the  wals  of  the  citie  where 
bawderie  was  kept. 

1578.  WHETSTONE,  Promos  and  Cass, 
I.  iv.  3.  And  shall  Cassandra  now  be 
termed,  in  common  speeche,  a  STEWES. 

1596.  JONSON,     Every     Man     in 
Humour,  ii.  i.     And  here,  as  in  a  tavern, 
or  a  STEWES,  He  and  his  wild  associates 
spend  their  hours. 

1597.  SHAKSPEARE,  Rick.  II. ,  v.  3, 
16.     He  would  unto  the  STEWS,  And  from 
the  common'st  creature  pluck  a  glove  and 
wear  it  as  a  favour.     Ibid.  (1598),  2  Hen. 
IV.,  i.  2.    An  I  could  get  me  but  a  wife  in 
the  STEWS. 

1599.  HALL,  Satires,  i.  9.  Rhymed 
in  rules  of  STEWISH  ribaldry. 

1621.  BURTON,  Anat.  Melan.,  I.  n. 
ii.  4.  A  ...  Priest  that,  because  he 
would  neither  willingly  marry,  nor  make 
use  of  the  STEWS,  fell  into  grievous 
melancholy.  Ibid.,  III.  n.  i.  2.  In  Italy 
and  Spain  they  have  their  STEWS  in  every 
great  city. 


1633.  HEYWOOD,  Eng.  Trav.,*L  2. 
His  modest  house  Turn'd  to  a  common 

STEWES. 

[  ?  ].  BISHOP,  Marrow  of  Astrology, 
57.  Venus  denotes  in  houses,  all  places 
belonging  to  women,  as  garnished  beds, 

STEWS. 

1650.  SIR  A.  WELDON,  Court  James 
/.,  146.  Instead  of  that  beauty  he  had  a 
notorious  STEW  sent  to  him. 

1683.  England's  Vanity,  55.  You 
may  find  them,  as  Solomon  sayes,  not  in 
the  corner  of  the  streets  onely,  but  thick  in 
the  very  midst  of  them,  and  turning  the 
whole  city  into  a  STEWS. 

^.1704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  107.  What 
Montaigne  said  formerly  of  the  women,  I 
now  say  of  the  priests  .  .  .  they  send  their 
conscience  to  the  STEWS,  and  keep  their 
countenance  within  rule. 

1733-  POPE,  Imit.  Horace,  i.  vi.  130. 
And  shall  we  every  decency  confound? 
Through  taverns,  STEWS,  and  bagnios 
take  our  round? 

3.  (colloquial). — Worry;  fuss; 
mental  disturbance. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.,  'M. 
of  Venice.'    And  Antonio  grew,  In  a  deuce 
of  a  STEW  For  he  could  not  cash  up,  spite 
of  all  he  could  do.     Ibid.,  \.  104.     And  he, 
though  naturally  bold  and  stout,  In  short, 
was  in  a  most  tremendous  STEW. 

1838.  BECKETT,  Paradise  Lost,  62. 
Now  Adam,   in  a   plaguey  STEW,   Cried 
'  Zounds  and  blood,  what  must  we  do  ? ' 

Verb.  (Stonyhurst  College).— 
To  study  :  hence  STEW-POT  =  a 
hard-working  student. 

To  STEW  (FRY  or  MELT)  IN 
ONE'S  OWN  (or  ANOTHER'S)  JUICE 
(GREASE,  FAT,  or  GRAVY),  verb, 
phr.  (common).  —  To  be  left 
vindictively  or  resentfully  alone. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  '  Wife 
of  Bath's  Prol.'  But  certainly  I  made 
folk  such  chere,  That  IN  HIS  OWN  GREES  I 
made  him  FRIE. 

1596.  SHAKSPEARE,  Merry  Wives, 
iii.  5.  I  was  more  than  HALF-STEWED  IN 

GREASE. 

1774.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer,  8. 
By  Sol's  hob  hot  beams  so  sore  were 
pelted,  That  IN  OUR  GREASE  we're  almost 

MELTED. 


Steward. 


Stick. 


1843.  G.  P.  R.  JAMES,  Forest  Days. 
If  yonder  cooks  have  not  done  their  duty 
and  got  all  ready,  I  will  FRY  them  IN  their 

OWN  JUICE. 

STEWARD,  subs.  (American  Cadet). 
— A  doctor. 

STEWED  QUAKER.    See  QUAKER. 

STIBBER-GIBBER,  adj.  phr.  (Old 
Cant). — Used  as  in  quot. 

1560-1.  AWDELEV,  Fratemitye  of 
Vacabondes,  '  XXV.  Orders  of  Knaues,' 
12.  Proctour  is  he,  that  will  tary  long, 
and  bring  a  lye,  when  his  Maister  sendeth 
him  on  his  errand.  This  is  a  STIBBER 
GIBBER  knaue,  that  doth  fayne  tales. 

STIBBLER,  subs.  (Scots). — A  cleri- 
cal probationer ;  a  GUINEA-PIG 

(q.V.).      -SteSTICKIT. 

1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  xlvi. 
Listen,  ye  stickit  STIBBLER,  to  what  I  tell 
ye,  or  ye  sail  rue  it. 

STICHEL,  subs.  (old). — A  term  of 
contempt. 

c.i 620.     Lady  Alimony,  i  40.     Barren 
STICHEL  !  that  shall  not  serve  thy  turn. 

STICK,  subs.  (old). — i.  In  //.  =fur- 
niture  ;  MARBLES  (q.v.}  :  also 
STICKS  AND  STONES  (GROSE, 
VAUX,  BEE). 

1883.  SIMS,  How  the  Poor  Live.  To 
tide  over  till  then  is  a  work  of  some  diffi- 
culty, but  the  STICKS  and  the  "ward- 
robe "  of  the  family  have  paid  the  rent  up 
to  now. 

1883.  GREENWOOD.  Tag,  Rag,  & 
Co.  None  will  permit  him  to  occupy  a 
room  in  a  private  house,  unless  he  has  at 
least  a  few  STICKS  by  way  of  security  for 
the  payment  of  a  week's  rent. 

1890.  WHITEING,  JohnSt.,\\.  What 
rent  kin  yer  affawd  .  .  .  have  yer  got 
any  STICKS? 

2.  (Old  Cant).— In  //.  =  pis- 
tols ;  POPS  (q.v.) ;  '  STOW  YOUR 
STICKS'  =  'hide  your  pistols' 
(GROSE  and  VAUX). 


3.  (colloquial). — An  awkward, 
dull,    or  stupid  person  :   in  con- 
tempt.    Usually  POOR  STICK.    A 
RUM  (or  ODD)  STICK  =  an  oddity. 

1803.  EDGEWORTH,  Belinda,  xx. 
"You  .  .  .  will  go  and  marry,  I  know 
you  will,  some  STICK  of  a  rival."  ..."  I 
hope  I  shall  never  marry  a  STICK." 

1814.  AUSTEN,  Mansfield  Park,  xiii. 
I  was  surprised  to  see  Sir  Henry  such  a 
STICK  ;  luckily  the  strength  of  the  piece 
did  not  depend  upon  him. 

1847.  BRONTE,  Jane  Eyre,  xvii. 
The  poor  old  STICK  used  to  cry  out,  "  Oh 
you  villains  childs,"  and  then  we  sermon- 
ised her  on  the  presumption  of  attempting 
to  teach  such  clever  blades  as  we  were, 
when  she  was  herself  so  ignorant. 

1855.  New  York  Tribune,  4  Sep. 
About  the  poorest  STICK  for  a  legislator 
ever  elected. 

1886.  D.  Teleg.,  13  July.  A  great 
actor  may  not  exhibit  himself  as  a  STICK 
for  half-an-hour  together,  and  claim  to  re- 
deem his  fame  by  a  few  magnificent 
moments. 

1899.  KERN  AH  AN,   Scoundrels,    xxi. 
The    STICK    will    find    himself  .  .  .  cold- 
shouldered,  and  the  assumer  of  '  side  '  may 
think  himself  lucky  if  he  be  allowed  to  de- 
part unbaited. 

1900.  WHITE,      West     End,    131. 
1  Elsenham's    a    STICK.'     '  He  is  rather,' 
said  my  aunt.     '  But  he  is  heir  to  one  of 
the  oldest  earldoms  in  the  kingdom. 

4.  (thieves'). — A  crowbar;    a 

JEMMY  (q.V.). 

1877.  HORSLEY,  Jottings  from  Jail. 
"What  tools  will  you  want?"  "We 
shall  want  some  twirls  and  the  STICK." 

5.  (silversmiths'). — (a)  A  can- 
dlestick ;  and  (t>)  a  candle. 

6.  (cricketers'). — In  //.  =  the 
stumps. 

7.  (common).  —  In  pi.  —  the 
legs;  STUMPS  (q.v.). 

8.  (printers'). — A  hard  or  other- 
wise badly  printing  ink-roller. 

9.  (athletic). — In //.=  hurdles. 
Hence  STICK-HOPPER = a  hurdle- 
racer. 


Stick. 


362 


Stick. 


10.  (nautical).  —  A  mast:  e.g.> 
1  She  has  handsome  STICKS  '  = 
'  She  is  finely  sparred.' 

11.  (colloquial).  —  Hesitation; 
demur.     Hence  TO  STICK  AT  =  to 

BOGGLE  (q.V.). 

1678.  BUNVAN,  Pilgrim's  Progress, 
vi.  When  he  came  to  the  Hill  Difficulty 
he  made  no  STICK  at  that. 

THE  STICK,  subs.  phr.  (venery). 
—  A  venereal  disease  :  clap, 
shanker,  or  pox  ;  LADIES'  FEVER 


Verb,  (venery).—  To  copulate  : 
see  GREENS  and  RIDE. 

2.  (colloquial).  —  To  kill  :  spec. 
(India)  to  spear  wild  hogs. 

PHRASEsand  COLLOQUIALISMS 
are    numerous.      Thus    TO    BE 

STUCK  ON  THE  DEAL  =  to  pay  tOO 

much,  to  be  swindled  ;  TO  STICK 
ON  THE  PRICE  =  to  overcharge  ; 

TO  STICK  FOR   DRINKS  =  to  win 

the  toss  ;  TO  STICK  IT  up  =  to  get 
credit  ;  TO  STICK  UP  (a  bank,  a 
train,  a  caravan)  =  to  rob  ;  TO  BE 
STUCK  ON  ONE'S  LINES  (theatri- 
cal) =  to  forget  ;  TO  STICK  UP 
TRICKS  (POINTS,  RUNS,  GOALS, 
&c.)  =  to  score  ;  TO  STICK  UP 
=  to  take  one's  own  part,  or 
another's  ;  TO  STICK  IN  A  PIN  = 
to  make  a  note  of,  to  take  heed  ; 
TO  STICK  TO  =  to  stand  by  ;  TO 
STICK  AT  =  to  be  scrupulous  ;  TO 
STICK  AT  NOTHING  =  to  be  utterly 
without  scruple  ;  TO  STICK  IN 
ONE'S  STOMACH  (or  GIZZARD)  =  to 
rankle  ;  TO  STICK  TO  =  to  back 
through  thick  and  thin,  to  follow 
closely;  TO  STICK  ONE'S  SPOON 

IN  THE  WALL  =  to  die  ;   TO  CUT 

ONE'S  STICKS  =  to  decamp  ;  TO 

HAVE  THE  FIDDLE  BUT  NOT  THE 

STICK  =  to  have  the  means  with- 
out sense  to  use  them  ;  TO  GO  TO 

STICKS  AND  STAVES   (or  NOGGIN 

STAVES)  =  to  go  to  ruin  ;  TO  BEAT 


ALL  TO  STICKS  =  to  vanquish 
utterly  ;  TO  STICK  A  POINT  =  to 
settle  a  matter ;  TO  STICK  IN 
(cricket)  =  to  play  carefully,  so  as 
to  keep  up  the  wicket ;  TO  STICK 
ONESELF  UP  =  to  assert  oneself,  to 

SPREAD  OUT  (q.V. )  ;   TO  STICK  TO 

ONE'S  FINGERS  =  to  remain  in 
possession  unlawfully ;  TO  STICK 
OUT  FOR  =  to  contend  obsti- 
nately ;  TO  STICK  AND  LIFT  =  to 
live  from  hand  to  mouth.  Also 
STUCK  ON  ONE'S  SHAPE  =  pleased 
with  one's  appearance ;  STUCK 

IN  THE  MUD  =  CORNERED  (q.V.) ; 
STUCK  FOR  THE  READY  =  penni- 
less  ;  STUCK  BY  ONE'S  PAL  = 

deceived,  deserted,  DONE  (q.v.) ; 
STUCK  IN  ONE'S  FIGURES  (FACTS, 
or  CALCULATIONS)  =  mistaken,  at 
a  loss  ;  DEAD  STUCK  =  com- 
pletely disappointed,  flabber- 
gasted, or  ruined ;  STUCK  ON  A 
JUDE  =  enamoured ;  STUCK  UP 
=  conceited,  proud.  Also  AS 

CROSS     AS    TWO     STICKS  =  fully 

angered  ;  STICK  -  AND  -  STONE 
=  everything  :  cf.  ROOT  AND 

BRANCH,  STOCK  AND  BLOCK  ;    IN 

QUICK  STICKS  (or  CHISEL)  =  in- 
stantly ;  WRONG  END  OF  THE 
STICK  =  (i)  the  worst  of  a  posi- 
tion ;  and  (2)  the  false  of  a  story. 
'Any  STICK  (or  STAFF)  suffices 
to  beat  the  dog'  (RAY). 

1337.  BRUNNE,  Handlyng  Synne 
(HEARNE),  113.  [Castles]  are  won  ilka 
STIK. 

1448-60.  Paston  Letters,  462.  EVERY 
STONE  AND  STiKKE  thereof. 

1544.  Exped.  in  Scotland  [ARBER, 
Eng.  Garner,  i.  120].  We  brake  down  the 
pier  of  the  haven  of  Perth,  and  burnt  every 
STICK  of  it. 

1564.  UDAL,  Erasmus's  Apoph.,  215. 
So  in  fine  were  thei  beaten  doune,  their 
citee  taken,  spoiled,  and  destroyed  bothe 

STICKE  AND  STONE. 

1569.  Marriage  of  Wit  and  Science 
[DODSLEY,  Old  Plays  (HAZLITT),  ii.  342]. 
I  know  a  younker  that  will  ease  you  .  .  . 
That  will  not  STICK  TO  marry  you  within 
this  hour. 


Stick. 


363 


Stick. 


1594.    SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  VI.,  Hi. 

1.  The    ancient    proverb    will    be    well 
effected:  'A  STAFF  is  quickly  found  to 
beat  a  dog.'     Ibid.  (1598),  2  Hen.  IV.,  i. 

2.  And  yet  he  will  not  STICK  TO  say  his 
face  is  a  face-royal. 

1611.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER, 
Knight  of  B.  Pestle,  ii.  i.  And  this  it 
was  she  swore,  never  to  marry  But  such  as 
one  whose  mighty  arm  could  carry  (As 
meaning  me,  for  I  am  such  a  one)  Her 
bodily  away  through  STICK  AND  STONE. 

1648-55.  FULLER,  Church  Hist.,v\. 
268.  This  quaternion  of  subscribers  have 
STICK' N*  THE  POINT  dead  with  me  that  all 
antient  English  monks  were  Benedictines. 

i6[?].  PEPYS,  Diary,  iv.  141.  To 
serve  him  I  should,  I  think,  STICK  AT 

NOTHING. 

1743.  FIELDING,  Jon.  Wild,  i.  xiii. 
It  was  his  constant  maxim,  that  he  was  a 
pitiful  fellow  who  would  STICK  AT  a  little 
rapping  for  his  friend. 

^.1796.  BURNS,  To  William  Simpson, 
Postsc.  Folk  thought  them  ruined  STICK- 
AN'-STONE. 

1824.  FERRIER,  Inheritance,  i.  95. 
She  married  a  Highland  drover  or  lacks- 
man,  I  can't  tell  which,  and  they  went  ALL 
TO  STICKS  and  staves. 

1837.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.,  '  Lay 
of  St.  Aloys.'  Lastly,  as  to  the  Pagan  who 
played  such  a  trick,  First  assuming  the 
tonsure,  then  CUTTING  HIS  STICK.  Ibid., 
'St.  Odille.'  Many  ladies  in  Strasburg 
were  beautiful,  still  They  were  BEAT  ALL 
TO  STICKS  by  the  lovely  Odille. 

1840.  DICKENS,  Old  Curiosity  Shop, 
xl.     And  now  that  the  nag  has  got  his 
wind  again  ...  I'm  afraid  I  must  CUT 
MY  STICK. 

1841.  Punch,    i.    136.     If   we    were 
speaking  of  an   ordinary  man,  and  not  a 
monarch,  we  should  have  rendered  by  the 
familiar  phrase  of  CUT  HIS  STICK. 

1843.  THACKERAY,  Lyra  Hibernica, 
'  Battle  of  Limerick.'  The  best  use  Tommy 
made  Of  his  famous  battle  blade  Was  to 
CUT  HIS  own  STICK  from  the  Shannon 
shore.  Ibid.  (1862),  Philip,  xl.  Heard 
him  abuse  you  to  Ringwood.  Ringwood 
STUCK  UP  FOR  you  .  .  .  spoke  up  like  a 
man — like  a  man  who  STICKS  UP  FOR  a 
fellow  who  is  down. 

1846.  STOKES,  Discoveries  in  Aus- 
tralia, ii.  xiii.  502.  It  was  only  the  pre- 
vious night  that  he  had  been  STUCK  UP 
with  a  pistol  at  his  head. 


1651-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  n. 
1 8.  The  pawnbrokers  have  been  so  often 
STUCK  with  inferior  instruments  that  it  is 
difficult  to  pledge  even  a  really  good  violin. 
Ibid.,  in.  142.  Some  of  the  young  fellows 
STICK  IN  THEIR  PARTS.  They  get  the 
stage  fever  and  knocking  in  the  knees. 

1855.  HOWITT,  Two  Years  in  Vic- 
toria, ii.  187.  Unless  the  mail  came  well 
armed,  a  very  few  men  could  STICK  IT  UP 
without  any  trouble  or  danger. 

1855.  KINGSLEY,  Westward  Ho,  v. 
Silence,  or  my  allegory  will  GO  TO  NOGGIN- 
STAVES.  Ibid.  (1857),  Two  Years  Ago,  i. 
In  a  few  minutes  Tom  came  in.  "  Here's 
a  good  riddance  !  .  .  .  "  "  What  ?  "  "  CUT 
HIS  STICK,  and  walked  his  chalks,  and  is 
off  to  London." 

^.1859.  DE  QUINCEY,  Roman  Meals. 
All  which  remained  for  a  decayed  poet  was 
respectfully  to  CUT  HIS  STICK,  and  retire. 

1860-3.  MOTLEY,  Un.  Netherlands, 
ii.  87.  One  third  of  the  money  sent  by  the 
Queen  for  the  soldiers  STUCK  IN  HIS 

FINGERS. 

1867.  Week  in  Wall  Street,  47.  As 
soon  as  the  whole  class  of  small  speculators 
perceived  they  had  been  STUCK,  they  all 
shut  their  mouths  ;  no  one  confessing  the 
ownership  of  a  share. 

1872.  BBS  ANT  and  RICE,  Ready 
Money  Mortiboy,  xiii.  "  You  won't  pay 
her  any  more  attentions,  for  you  shall  come 
out  of  this  place  IN  QUICK  STICKS,"  said 
Mrs.  Bowker. 

1877.  HORSLEY,  Jottings  from.  Jail. 
Now  don't  STICK  ME  UP  ;  meet  me  at  six 
to-night. 

c.i88o.  C.  SHEARD,  Music  Hall  Song, 
'  I'm  a  Millionaire.'  Though  some  STICK 
IT  UP,  now  I'll  pay  money  down. 

1881.  GRANT,  Bush  Life  in  Queens- 
land.    Why,  they  STUCK  UP  Wilson's  Sta- 
tion  there,   and   murdered   the  man   and 
woman  in  the  kitchen  ;  they  then  planted 
inside  the  house,  and  waited  until  Wilson 
came  home  at  night  with  his  stockman. 

1882.  ANSTEY,      Vice    Versa,    vii. 
'  Why,  you  are  STICKING  UP  FOR  him  now  I ' 
said  Tom  .  .  .  astonished  at  this  apparent 
change  of  front. 

1885.  Leisure  Hour,  Mar.,  192. 
Having  attacked,  or,  in  Australian  phrase, 
STUCK  UP  the  station,  and  made  prisoners 
of  all  the  inmates. 


Sticker. 


364 


Stickit-minister. 


1885.  Field,  3  Oct.    Two  gentlemen, 
fishing  at  Aldermaston,  STUCK  TO  IT  all 
day. 

1886.  Graphic,  10  Ap.,  399.  An  actor 
who  forgets  his  words  is  said  to  STICK  or 
be  corpsed. 

1887.  G.  L.  APPERSON,  All  the  Year 
Round,  30  July,  68,  i.     In  times  gone  by, 
it  was  by  no  means  an  uncommon  occur- 
rence [in  Australia]  for  a  coach  to  be  STUCK 
UP  by  a  band  of  bushrangers.  .  .  .  But  a 
coach  is  now  seldom  interfered  with,  and 
to  STICK  UP  is  applied  to  less  daring  at- 
tempts to  rob. 

1888.  BOLDREWOOD,  Squatter 's 
Dream,    47.      Well,    then,    I'll    CUT    MY 
STICK  ;    you  won't  want  the  pair  of  us. 
Ibid.,    204.    A    note    to  settle  our  little 
account  IN  QUICK  STICKS. 

1890.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xxvii. 
Her  tiny  chum  sometimes  comes  home  at 
night,  CROSS  AS  TWO  STICKS,  and  resists 
every  attempt  to  cheer  her. 

1899.  HYNE,  Further  Adv.  Captain 
Kettle,  vi.  When  it  comes  to  STICKING 
UP  the  cable  station  you'll  see  him  do  the 
work  of  any  ten  like  us. 

1903.  D.  Tel.,  ii  Feb.,  7,  i.  I  said, 
"Are  you  going  to  STICK  me  UP  for  this 
money?"  He  gave  an  indefinite  sort  of 
the  shoulders,  and  returned  no  answer. 

STICKER,  subs,  (common).  —  i. 
A  pointed  question,  an  apt  and 
startling  comment  or  rejoinder, 
an  embarrassing  situation  ;  a 
STUMPER  (q.V.). 

2.  (anglers'). — A  gaff. 

3.  (common). — A  plodder. 

4.  (colloquial).  —  A  lingering 
guest. 

1712.  ARBUTHNOT,  John  Bull 
[ARBER,  Eng.  Garner,  vi.],  s.v. 

STICK-IN-THE-MUD,  subs.phr.  (col- 
loquial).— A  fogey  ;  a  slowcoach. 

1823.  MONCRIEFF,  Tom  and  Jerry, 
ii.  4.  Tom.  Good  night,  old  STICK-IN- 
THE-MUD. 

1855.  HALIBURTON,  Human  Nature, 
132.  "  Well,  arter  all  this  palaver,"  said 
old  STICK-IN-THE-MUD,  "what  are  you 
arter?" 


1861.  HUGHES,  Tom  Brown  at  Ox* 
ford,  x.  This  rusty-coloured  one  is  that 
respectable  old  STICK-IN-THE-MUD,  Nicias. 

1880.  Punch,  10  Jan.,  6.  Shut  up, 
old  STICK  IN  THE  MUD,  and  let's  join  the 
ladies. 

6.  (tradesmen's:    Am.).  —  An 
article  which  won't  sell  ;  a  SHOP- 
KEEPER (q.v.). 

7.  (American    tramps').  —  See 
quot. 

1900.  FLYNT,  Tramps,  131.  This  is 
also  true  of  the  office-beggar,  or  STICKER 
as  he  calls  himself. 

8.  (common).  —  A  knife. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  iv.  There 
warn't  no  time  to  square  up  to  'im  when  I 
see  the  STICKER  in  his  'and. 

STICK  FLAMS,  subs.phr.  (Old  Cant). 
—  A  pair  of  gloves  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE). 

STICKING,  subs,  (common.)  —  In//. 
=  Coarse,  bruised,  inferior  meat  : 
spec,  the  portions  damaged  by  the 
butcher's  knife.  See  CLODS  and 
STICKINGS. 

STICKING-PLACE  (or  -POINT),  subs. 
phr.  (old  colloquial).  —  The  point 
of  election  :  usually  in  phrase  *  to 

Come  to  THE  STICKING-POINT.' 

1606.  SHAKSPEARE,  Macbeth,  i.  7, 
60.  But  screw  your  courage  to  THE 
STICKING  PLACE,  and  we'll  not  fall. 

1833.  DISRAELI,  Alroy,  i.  2.  On- 
sight  of  thee  would  nerve  me  to  the  STICK 

ING  POINT. 

STICK-IN  -THE-  RIBS,  subs.  phr. 
(common).  —  Thick  soup  ;  GLUE 


STICKIT-MINISTER,  subs.  phr. 
(Scots').  —  A  disqualified  candi- 
date for  holy  orders  :  spec,  a 
sucking-parson,  who,  breaking 
down  at  his  first  sermon,  never 
attempts  another. 


Stickler. 


365 


Stiff. 


1815.  SCOTT,  Guy  Mannering,  ii. 
But,  alas  ...  he  became  totally  incapable 
of  proceeding  in  his  intended  discourse— 
gasped,  grinned,  hideously  rolled  his  eyes 
till  the  congregation  thought  them  flying 
out  of  his  head — shut  the  Bible — stumbled 
down  the  pulpit-stairs,  trampling  upon  the 
old  women  who  generally  take  their 
station  there — and  was  ever  after  desig- 
nated a  STICKIT-MINISTER. 

1893.  CROCKETT,  The  Stickit  Minis- 
ter [Title]. 

STICKLER,  subs,  (old). — An  obsti- 
nate   or    trifling    contender ;    a 
zealot ;  a  PRECISIAN  (q.v.}  :  also 
STIFFLER.     [Orig.  an  umpire]. 
d?.i575.    PARKER  [DAVIES],  Works,  252. 
The  drift  was,  as  I  judged,  for  Dethick  to 
continue  such  STIFFLERS  in  the  College  of 
his  pupils,  to  win  him  in  time  by  hook  or 
crook  the  master's  room. 

1813.  AUBREY,  Lives,  'William 
Aubrey.'  He  was  one  of  the  delegates 
...  for  the  Tryall  of  Mary,  Queen  of 
Scots,  and  was  a  great  STICKLER  for  the 
saving  of  her  life. 

1885.  Field,  4  Ap.  The  Englishman 
— in  his  own  country  greatest  of  all 
STICKLERS  for  the  correct  thing  in  rai- 
ment. 

1900.  KERNAHAN,  Scoundrels  and 
Co.,  xv.  I'm  a  bit  of  a  STICKLER  for  what's 
gentlemanly  myself. 

STICK-SLINGER,  subs.phr.  (thieves'). 
— See  quot. 

1856.  MAYHEW,  Great  World  of  Lon- 
don, 46.  Those  who  plunder  with  vio- 
lence ;  as  ...  bludgers  or  STICK-SLINGERS, 
who  rob  in  company  with  low  women. 

STICK-UP,  subs.  phr.  (common). — 
In  //.  =a  high-standing  collar; 
GILLS  (q.v.*). 
1884.    D.    TeL,  8  July,  5,  4.    Lord 

Macaulay  wore  to  the  close  of  his  life, 

STICK-UPS  or  gills. 

STICKY,  subs,  (common). — Sealing- 
wax. 

STIFF,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— i.  A  bill 
of  exchange  ;  negotiable  paper  ; 

THICK  (q.V.).    TO  TAKE  (or  GIVE) 

THE  STIFF = to  receive  (or  pay)  in 
paper  (GROSE) ;  TO  DO  A  BIT  OF 
STIFF  =  to  accept  a  bill. 


1828.  BEE,  Living- Picture  of  London. 
[He]  could  not  otherwise  obtain  his  share 
of  the  plunder  than  by  taking  paper  from 
P.,  i.e.,  STIFF  in  the  form  '  I  promise  to 
pay.' 

^  1854-5.  THACKERAY,  Newcomes,  vi. 
I  wish  you'd  DO  me  A  BIT  OF  STIFF,  and 
just  tell  your  father  if  I  may  overdraw  my 
account,  I'll  vote  with  him. 

1899.  MARSH,  Crime  and  Criminal, 
xviii.      '  I   must  be  unknown  ...  or  he 
would  never  lend.'     '  Can't  you  DO  any- 
thing on  A  BIT  OF  STIFF.' 

2.  (thieves').  —  Forged   bank 
notes. 

3.  (old). — A  corpse :  also  STIFF 
ONE  (GROSE). 

1871.  JOHN  HAY,  Myst.  of  Gilgal. 
They  piled  the  STIFFS  outside  the  door— 
They  made,  I  reckon,  a  cord  or  more. 

4.  (racing). — A  horse  certain 
not  to  run,  nor  if  it  run,  to  win : 

also  DEAD-UN,  SAFE-UN,  STUMER, 

&c.  (q.v.).  BOOKMAKERS  STIFF 
=  a  horse  nobbled  at  the  public 
cost  in  the  bookmakers'  interest. 
Also  as  adj.  (Australian)  =  dead 
certain  to  win ;  e.g. ,  '  Grand 
Flaneur  is  STIFF  for  any  race  for 
which  he  may  enter.' 

1871.  "  HAWK'S-EYE,"  Turf  Notes, 
ii.  Most  assuredly  it  is  the  bookmakers 
that  profit  by  the  safe  uns,  or  STIFF  UNS, 
as,  in  their  own  language,  horses  that  have 
no  chance  of  winning  are  called. 

1897.  [Advt.  on  front  fly  of  Pomes] 
The  Rialto  .  .  .  Do  not  invest  money 
Until  you  read  The  Rialto.  Never  on 
STIFF  UNS,  wrong  'uns,  or  dead  'uns. 

5.  (prison).  —  A    clandestine 
letter. 

1900.  GRIFFITHS,  Fast  and  Loose, 
xxxiii.     '  Will  your  pal  trust  me,'  says  I. 
1  Yes,  if  I  send  him  a  bit  of  a  STIFF.' 

Adj.  and  adv.  (colloquial). — A 
general    intensive  :     cf.    STEEP, 

TALL,  WIDE,  &C.      Thus  a   STIFF 

(  =  a  strong  or  long)  drink;  a 
STIFF  ( =  a  cramped)  style  ;  a 
STIFF  ( =  a  formal)  manner : 
also  crusty,  whence  TO  CUT  UP 

2  A 


Stiff. 


366 


Stigmatic. 


STIFF  =  to  turn  testy ;  a  STIFF 
(  =  strong  and  steady)  breeze  ; 
STIFF  (  =  incredible)  news ;  a 
STIFF  (  =  difficult)  examination  ; 
a  STIFF  ( =  high)  price  :  cf.  STEEP  : 
also,  a  price  (or  a  market) 
STIFFENS  =  goes  higher  :  TO 
PAY  STIFFLY  =  to  pay  expensively; 
a  STIFF  (  =  firm,  unyielding)  mar- 
ket ;  a  STIFF  UPPER  LIP  =  coura- 
geous ;  TO  CUT  UP  STIFF  =  to 
leave  a  large  estate  :  cf.  WARM 
and  supra. 

1608.  SHAKSPEARE,  .<4«£  andCleop., 
\.  2,  104.  Labienus — this  is  STIFF  news — 
hath  with  his  Parthian  force  Extended 
Asia  from  Euphrates. 

1620.  FLETCHER,  Philaster,  iii.  i. 
With  a  STIFF  gale  their  heads  bow  all  one 
way. 

1711.  ADDISON,  Spectator,  119.  This 
kind  of  good  manners  was  perhaps  carried 
to  an  excess,  so  as  to  make  conversation 
too  STIFF,  formal  and  precise. 

1784.  COWPER,  Tirocinium,  671. 
And  his  address,  if  not  quite  French  in 
ease,  Not  English  STIFF,  but  frank,  and 
forra'd  to  please. 

1855-7.  THACKERAY,  Misc.,  n.  272. 
The  old  gent  CUT  UP  uncommon  STIFF. 

1885.  D.  News,  28  Sep.  The  STIFF- 
NESS  of  country  rates  also  tends  to  give 
firmness  to  the  attitude  of  staplers. 

1842.  TENNYSON,  Will  Waterproof. 
But,  tho'  the  port  surpasses  praise,  My 
nerves  have  dealt  with  STIFFER. 

1887.  D.  Chron.,  21  Mar.  Yarns 
were  very  STIFF. 

1893.  Harper's  Mag.,  Ixxxvi.  447. 
We  now  left  the  carriages  and  began  a 
STIFF  climb  to  the  top  of  the  hill. 

1899.  WESTCOTT,  David  Hume,  xvi. 
He's  got  a  pretty  STIFF  UPPER  LIP  of  his 
own,  I  reckon. 

2.  (venery). — (i)  Wanton  :  e.g., 
A  STIFF  QUEAN  =  a  harlot  (RAY) ; 
and  (2)  priapic  :  see  STAND. 

THE  STIFF  DEITY  (or  THE  STIFF 

AND  STOUT)  =  the  penis  in  erec- 
tion. 


1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  \.  xL 
And  some  of  the  women  would  give  these 
names,  my  Roger  .  .  .  my  STIFF  AND 
STOUT.  Ibid.  (MOTTEUX),  iv.  v.  The 
STIFF  DEITY,  Priapus  .  .  .  remained 
sticking  in  her  natural  Christmas  box. 

1720.     DURFEY,  Pills,  &>c.,  vi.  201. 

And  may  Prince  G "s  Roger  grow  STIFF 

again  and  stand. 

STIFFLER.    See  STICKLER. 

STIFF-FENCER,  subs.  phr.  (streets'). 
— A  hawker  of  writing  paper. 

STIFF- RUM  FED,  adj.   phr,    (collo- 
quial). —  Proud  ;   stately  (B.   E. 
and  GROSE). 
^.1704.     BROWN,  Works,  iii.  196.     Our 

STIFF-RUMPED  Countesses  in  their    silks 

and  sattins. 

STIFFY,  subs.  (American). — A  well- 
dressed  conceited  boy  (BART- 
LETT). 

STIFLER,  subs,  (thieves').— I.  The 
gallows  :  also  STIFLES  :  see  LAD- 
DERandNuBBiNGCHEAT.  Hence 

TO    NAB    THE    STIFLER  =  to    be 

hanged ;  TO  QUEER  THE  STIFLER 

=  to  escape  the  rope. 

1818.  SCOTT,  Midlothian,  xxiii.  I 
think  Handie  Dandie  and  I  may  QUEER 
THE  STIFLER  for  all  that  is  come  and  gone. 

2.  (provincial). — A    busybody 
(HALLIWELL). 

3.  (common). — A  severe  blow. 

STIGMATIC,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  A 
branded  criminal ;  (2)  anyone  de- 
formed ;  and  (3)  a  contemptible 
wretch. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  2  Hen.  IV.,  ii. 
2,  136.  But,  like  a  foul,  mis-shapen 

STIGMATIC. 

1601.  CHETTLE  and  MUNDAY,  Death 
of  R.  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  76.  That 
prodigious  bloody  STIGMATIC  .  .  .  por- 
tendeth  still  Some  innovation,  or  some 
monstrous  act. 

1616.  Philomythic  [NARES].  Con- 
vaide  him  to  a  justice,  where  one  swore 
He  had  been  branded  STIGMATIC  before. 


Stile. 


367 


Stingo. 


STILE.  To  HELP  A  LAME  DOG 
OVER  A  STILE,  verb.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— To  give  a  hand  ;  to  assist 
in  a  difficulty  ;  to  bunk  up.  Fr. 
sauver  la  mise  a  quelqu'un. 
1546.  HEYWOOD,  Proverbs.  To  HELP 

A  DOGGE  OVER  A  STILE. 

1605.  MARSTON,  Insatiate  Countess, 
ii.  2.  Here's  A  STILE  so  high  as  a  man 
cannot  HELP  A  DOG  OVER  IT. 

1670.      RAY,    Proverbs   (1893),    168. 

HELP  THE  LAME  DOG  OVER  THE  STILE. 

1710.  SWIFT,  Pol.  Conv.,  i.  Madam, 
I  know  I  shall  always  have  your  good 
word  ;  you  love  to  HELP  A  LAME  DOG  OVER 

THE  STILE. 

</.i72i.  PRIOR,  Viceroy.  But  for  this 
horrid  murder  vile  None  did  him  prose- 
cute. His  old  friend  HELPED  HIM  O'ER 
THE  STILE  ;  With  Satan  who'd  dispute  ? 

1857.  KINGSLEY,  Two  Years  Ago, 
xxv.  I  can  show  my  money,  pay  my  way, 
eat  my  dinner,  kill  my  trout,  hunt  my 

bounds,  HELP  A   LAME   DOG   OVER  A  STILE 

(which  was  Mark's   phrase  for    doing   a 
generous  thing),  and  thank  God  for  all. 

LET  THE  BEST  DOG  LEAP  THE 

STILE  FIRST,  phr.    (old). — '  Let 
the  best  take  lead  '  (RAY). 

STILL,  subs,  (undertakers').— A  still- 
born infant.  Also  (American 
firemen's)  =  a  still  alarm  :  i.e., 
an  alarm  given  other  than  by  the 
regular  signal  service. 

STILL-SOW,  suds.  phr.  (old). — See 
quots. 

1598.  FLORIO,  WorldeofWordes,  9. 
A  close,  slie  lurking  knave,  a  STIL  sow,  as 
we  say. 

1598.  SHAKSPEARE,  Merry  Wives, 
iv.  2.  STILL  SWINE  eat  all  the  draff. 

STILTING,  subs,  (thieves').  —  See 
quot. 

1884.  GREENWOOD,  Little  Raga- 
muffins. You  are  a  nice  sort  of  chap  to 
try  your  hand  at  STILTING  1 "  (first-class 
pocket-picking). 

STILTON  (THE),  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon). —  The  correct  thing :  a 
variant  of  THE  CHEESE 


STIMBLE,  verb,  (provincial).— To 
urinate  ;  TO  PISS  (q.v.). — HALLI- 
WELL. 

STING,  verb,  (old).— To  rob;  to 
trick  (GROSE  and  VAUX).  *  That 
cove  is  fly ;  he  has  already  been 
STUNG'  =  *  The  man  is  on  his 
guard;  he  has  been  robbed 
before.' 

STING- BUM,  subs.  phr.  (old).— A 
niggard  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

STINGER,  subs,  (common). — Generic 
for  anything  exceptional  :  e.g.t 
a  heavy  blow,  a  sharp  rebuke,  a 
vexatious  occurrence,  &c.,  &c. 
Hence  STINGING  =  keen,  sharp, 
telling. 

1613.  WEBSTER,  Devil's  Law  Case, 
iv.  2.  That's  a  STINGER  :  be  a  good  wench, 
be  not  daunted. 

1657.  MIDDLETON,  More  Dissemblers 
Besides  Women,  iii.  2.  That  malice  Wears 
no  dead  flesh  about  it,  'tis  a  STINGER. 

1863.  READE,  Hard  Cash,  xliii. 
Rooke  .  .  .  received  a  STINGER  that 
staggered  him,  and  nearly  closed  his  right 
eye. 

1873.  O.  W.  HOLMES,  Address  on 
opening  Fifth  Av.  Theatre.  The  STINGING 
lash  of  wit. 

1888.    Si 
a    co 
Harris's  nasal. 


888.    Sporting  Life,  mltov.  Planted 
uple    of  well-delivered  STINGERS  on 


STINGO,  subs,  (old).— Strong  liquor: 

Spec.     HUMMING      ALE    (q.V.). — 

B.  E.  and  GROSE. 

1638.  RANDOLPH,  Hey  for  Honesty, 
ii.  6.  Come,  let's  in,  and  drink  a  cup  of 

STINGO. 

1661.  Merry  Drolleries  [OLIPHANT, 
New  Eng.,  ii.  98.  Among  the  substantives 
are  .  .  .  STINGO,  brimmer,  Jew's  harp]. 

£-.1650.  BRATHWAYTE,  Barnaby's  Jl. 
(1723),  125.  I  drank  STINGO  With  a 
Butcher  and  Domingo. 

1697.  Praise  of  YORKSHIRE 
STINGO,  29.  Such  STINGOE,  nappy, 
pure  ale  they  have  found. 


Stingy. 


368 


Stinker. 


1774.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
79.  He  best  can  understand  their  linguo 
And  tell  'em  where  to  find  good  STINGO. 

1821.  EGAN,  Real  Life,  vii.  Let  us 
fortify  .  .  .  with  a  horn  or  two  of  humming 
STINGO. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingoldsby  Leg.,  'St. 
Dunstan.'  Thys  Franklyn,  syrs,  he  brewed 
goode  ayle,  And  he  called  it  rare  goode 
STYNGO. 

STINGY,  adj.  (B.  E.).— '  Covetous, 
close-fisted,  sneaking.' 

STINK,  subs.  (old).  —  i.  Any 
disagreeable  exposure  :  spec, 
(thieves')  see  quot.  1785.  To 
STIR  UP  A  STINK  =  to  expose  ; 
and  as  verb.  —  to  have  a  bad  re- 
putation. 

1647.  FLETCHER,  Humorous  Lieut., 
iii.  7.  Fall  Fate  upon  us,  Our  memories 
shall  never  STINK  behind  us. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
STINK.  When  any  robbery  of  moment 
has  been  committed,  which  causes  much 
alarm,  or  of  which  much  is  said  in  the 
daily  papers,  the  family  people  will  say 
there  is  a  great  STINK  about  it. 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Land.  Lab.,  i. 
250.  The  newspapers  of  the  district  .  .  _. 
had  raised  .  .  .  what  the  patterers  of  his 
class  proverbially  call  a  STINK  .  .  .  had 
opened  the  eyes  of  the  unwary  to  the 
movements  of  Chelsea  George. 

2.  (scholastic). — In  //.  =  (a) 
chemistry :  hence  STINK  -  CUP- 
BO  ARD  =  a  close  chamber  for  evil- 
smelling  or  obnoxious  chemical 
experiments ;  and  (6)  a  lecturer 
on  chemistry.  To  GO  OUT  IN 
STINKS  =  to  take  a  degree  in 
natural  science  (Cambridge). 

1903.  Pall  Mall  Gaz.,  19  Feb.,  7,  i. 
The  branch  of  learning  facetiously  denomi- 
nated "STINKS,"  at  Oxford,  is  by  now 
beginning  to  boast  the  sanctifying  prestige 
of  time. 

TO  TAKE  A  STINK  FOR  A  NOSE- 
GAY, verb.  phr.  (old). — To  be 
extremely  gullible ;  to  mistake 
egregiously. 


1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [RouT- 
LEDGE],  173.  We  had  our  hands  to  play 
against  a  novice  at  the  game.  Simple  and 
cullible,  so  far  from  smelling  out  the  rat, 

HE  TOOK  HIS  STINK  FOR  A  NOSEGAY. 

STINK-A-PUSS,  subs.  phr.  (provin- 
cial). —  A  term  of  contempt 
(HALLIWELL). 

STINKARD,  subs,  (old).— A  mean 
wretch:  also  STINKER:  a  general 
term  of  contempt.  Hence  STINK- 
ARDLY  =  mean. 

1598.  DEKKER,  Works  (GROSART),  i. 
77.  And  no  more  learning  than  the  most 
errand  STINKARD,  that  (except  his  owne 
name)  could  never  find  anything  in  the 
Home-book. 

1601.  JONSON,  Poetaster,  iii.  i.  You 
have  Fortune  and  the  good  year  on  your 
side,  you  STINKARD.  Ibid.  (1609), 
Epiccene,  iv.  i.  You  notoriously  STINK- 
ARDLY  bearward. 

1612.  CHAPMAN,  Widows  Tears,  i. 
4.  Only  your  block-headly  tradesman 
.  .  .  your  unapprehending  STINKARD  is 
blessed  with  the  sole  perogative  of  his 
wife's  chamber. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  145.  For 
now  the  STINKARDS  in  their  irefull  wraths, 
Repelted  me  with  lome,  with  stones,  and 
laths. 

1633.  MARMYON,  Fine  Companion. 
How  slave,  and  STINKARD,  since  you  are 
so  stout,  I  will  see  your  commission  ere  I 
part. 

1677.  COLES,  Eng.-Lat.  Diet.,  s.v. 
A  STINKARD,  homo  foetidus. 

1700.  CONGREVE,  Way  of  the  World, 
iv.  ii.  Your  Mussulman  is  a  dry  STINK- 
ARD. No  offence,  aunt. 

1732.  MORGAN,  Phoenix  Brit.,  28. 
No  more  learning  than  the  most  errand 

STINKARD. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random, 
xxxiv.  He  asked  with  great  emotion  if  I 
thought  him  a  monster  and  a  STINKARD. 

STINKER,  subs.  (Old  Cant).— i.  A 
black  eye  (GROSE). 

2.  (various). — Anything  offen- 
sive :  e.g.,  a  stinkpot,  a  filthy 
person,  in  pi. ,  bad  coal ;  spec, 
(modern)  =  a  motor  car :  also 
STINK-CAR.  See  STINKARD. 


Stinkfinger. 


369 


Stitch. 


1901.  Sporting  Times,  27  Ap.,  2,  i. 
The  advent  of  the  STINK-CAR  was  almost 
as  mournful  a  feature  in  the  proceedings  as 
was  the  mob  of  habitual  bookmakers 
"  resting  "  by  the  bars. 

STINKFINGER.  To  PLAY  AT  STINK- 
FINGER,  verb.  phr.  (venery). — To 
grope  a  woman  ;  '  to  go  BIRDS- 
NESTING  '  (q.v.). 

STINKIBUS,  subs.  (old). — Bad  LAP 
(q.V.)  ;  ROT-GUT  (q.V.). 

1706.  WARD,  Wooden  World,  70. 
He  shall  gulph  thee  down  the  rankest 
STINKIBUS  with  as  good  a  Gusto  as  a 
Teague  does  Usquebaugh,  and  not  be  a 
Doit  the  worse  for  it. 

STINKING  FISH.  To  CRY  STINKING 
FISH,  verb.  phr.  (common). — To 
run  down  one's  own  affairs  ;  '  to 
foul  one's  own  nest '  (RAY). 

STINKIOUS,  subs.  (old). — Gin:  i8th 
century. 

STINKOMALEE,  subs,  (obsolete).— 
See  quot. 

1864.  HOTTEN,  Slang  Diet.,  s.v. 
STINKOMALEE,  a  name  given  to  the  then 
New  London  University  by  Theodore 
Hook.  Probably  because  some  cow-houses 
and  dunghills  stood  on  the  original  site. 
Some  question  about  Trincomalee  was 
agitated  at  the  same  time.  It  is  still 
applied  by  the  students  of  the  old  Uni- 
versities, who  regard  it  with  disfavour 
from  its  admitting  all  denominations. 

STINKY,  subs,  (military). — A  farrier. 

STIPE,  subs,  (common). — A  stipen- 
diary magistrate. 

STIR,  subs,  (thieves'). — A  prison  : 
also  STIRABEN  (gypsy). 

1851-61.  MAYHEW,  Lend.  Lab.,  i. 
469.  I  was  in  Brummagen,  and  was  seven 
days  in  the  new  STIR. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  123.  I 
didn't  hear  the  reason  why  the  lad  was 
booked  for  STIR. 

1901.  Referee,  28  Ap.,  9,  3.  Mr. 
Patrick  M'Hugh,  M.P.  for  North  Leitrim, 
has  gone  to  STIR  for  six  months  for  a 
seditious  libel. 


2.  (common). — A  crowd  ;  a 
PUSH  (q.v.). 

TO  HAVE  PLENTY  TO  STIR  ON, 
verb.  phr.  (colloquial). — To  be 
wealthy. 

See  STUMPS. 

STIRRUP-OIL,  subs.  phr.  (old). — A 
sound  beating  ;  a  drubbing. 

1677.  COLES,  Eng.-Lat.  Diet.  To 
give  one  some  STIRRUP-OYL.  Aliquent 
fitstigare. 

STiR-UP-SuNDAY,j7/fo.  phr.  (cleri- 
cal).— The  Sunday  before  Ad- 
vent. [The  collect  for  the  day 
commences  :  '  Stir  up,  we  beseech 
Thee,  O  Lord.'] 

STITCH,  subs.  (old). — i.  A  tailor  : 
see  TRADES  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

2.  (common). — Clothing  :  e.g., 
'  not  a  dry  STITCH  about  her.' 

1888.  Field,  4  Ap.  With  every 
STITCH  of  clothing  wet,  and  no  facilities 
for  drying  them. 

PHRASES. — To  GO  THROUGH 
STITCH  =  to  accomplish,  to  bring 
to  a  finish  ;  TO  GO  A  GOOD  STITCH 
=  to  go  a  good  way  ;  STOP 

STITCH  WHILE  I  PUT  A   NEEDLE 

IN  =  a  proverbial  phrase  applied 
to  any  one  when  one  wishes  him 
to  do  anything  more  slowly 
(HALLIWELL). 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Passe- 
partout, a  resolute  fellow,  one  that  GOES 
THROUGH-STITCH  with  every  thing  hee 
undertakes,  one  whose  courses  no  danger 
can  stop,  no  difficultie  stay. 

1631.  CHETTLE,  Hoffman,  f.  Hi. 
Now  wee  are  in,  wee  must  GOE  THROUGH 
STITCH. 

1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  i.  xlvii. 
And  in  regard  of  the  main  point  that  they 
should  never  be  able  to  GO  THROUGH 
STITCH  with  that  war. 

1677.  COLES,  Diet.  To  GO  THOROW- 
STITCH  with  the  work,  opus  perage. 


Stitch-back. 


370 


Stock. 


1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travcstie 
(1770),  91.  Who  means  to  conquer  Italy, 
Must  with  his  Work  GO  THOROUGH 
STITCHES  And  not  be  running  after  Bitches. 

1684.  BUNYAN,  Pilgrim's  Prog:,  ii. 
148.  I  promise  you,  said  he,  you  have 
GONE  A  GOOD  STITCH  '.  you  may  well  be 
aweary ;  sit  down. 

Verb,  (venery).— To  copulate 
(DORSET)  :  cf.  SEW  UP  =  to  get 
with  child,  NEEDLE  =  penis,  and 
NEEDLE-CASE  =  female  puden- 
dum :  see  GREENS,  PRICK, 
MONOSYLLABLE,  and  RIDE. 

STITCH-BACK,  subs.  phr.  (B.  E.). — 
Very  strong  ale  ;  STINGO  (q.v.). 

STITCH-LOUSE,  subs.  phr.  (com- 
mon).— A  tailor :  also  PRICK- 
LOUSE.  See  TRADES. 

1838.  BECKETT,  Paradise  Lost,  59. 
Why  can't  we  with  fig-leaves  make 
breeches?  .  .  .  Who's  the  best  STITCH- 
LOUSE. 

STIVE,  verb.  (old). — To  crowd,  to 
make  hot  in  a  sultry  atmosphere. 
STIVED  UP  =  stifled. 

1865.  DOWNING,  Mayday  in  New 
York,  "Oh,  marcy  on  us,"  said  a  fat 
lady,  who  was  looking  for  a  house,  "  this 
'11  never  do  for  my  family  at  all.  There's 
no  convenience  about  it,  only  one  little 
STIVED-UP  closet.  .  .  .  And  the  bed-rooms, 
— she  would  as  soon  sleep  in  a  pig-pen, 
and  done  with  it,  as  to  get  into  such  little, 
mean,  STIVED-UP  places  as  them." 

1870.  JUDD,  Margaret,  ii.  8.  '  Things 
are  a  good  deal  STIVED  UP,'  answered  the 
Deacon. 

1876.  ELIOT,  Daniel  Deronda,  liv. 
I  shall  go  out  in  a  boat  .  .  .  instead  of 
STIVING  in  a  damnable  hotel. 

Verb.  (American).— To  run  ; 
to  move  off  [BARTLETT  :  '  a  low 
word  used  in  the  Northern 
States ']. 

See  STEW. 

STIVER  (STEEVER,  STINNER,  &c.), 
subs.  (old). — i.  A  Dutch  coin 
value  id.  ;  hence  (2)  a  small 


standard  of  value,  a  STRAW,  a  FIG 
(q.v.)  ;  and  (3)  generic  for  money. 
Hence  STIVER-CRAMPED  =  needy 
(GROSE). 

1535.  JOY,  Apology  to  Tyndale,  22 
[OLIPHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  472.  The  Dutch 
coin  STEEVER  appears]. 

1630.  TAYLOR,  Works,  ii.  3.  Through 
thy  protection  they  are  monstrous  thrivers, 
Not  like  the  Dutchmen  in  base  doyts  and 

STIVERS. 

c.i  630.  Broadside  Ballad  [Bag ford 
fBrit.  Mus.),  i.  88].  He  ...  paid  .  .  . 
the  shot  Without  ever  a  STIVER  of  money. 

1693.  DAMPIER,  Voyages.  They  will 
not  budge  under  a  STIVER. 

1700.  FARQUHAR,  Constant  Couple, 
i.  i.  I  there  had  a  Dutch  whore  for  five 
STIVERS. 

1853.  LYTTON,  My  Novel,  ix.  3. 
Entre  nous,  mon  cher,  I  care  not  a  STIVER 
for  popularity. 

d.iBgi.  LOWELL,  Fitz  Adam's  Story. 
'  There's  fourteen  foot  and  over,'  says  the 
driver.  '  Worth  twenty  dollars  ef  it's  worth 
a  STIVER.' 

1892.  ZANGWILL,  Children  of  the 
Ghetto.  A  SHTIBBUR  for  a  blind  man. 

1902.  LAWSON,  Childrenofthe  Bush, 
94.  I  ain't  got  a  lonely  STEEVER  on  me. 

STIZZLE,  verb.  (Tonbridge  School). 
— To  hurt. 

STOCK,    subs.     (old). — i.    Cheek; 
impudence;  BRASS  (q.v.). 

2.  (old).  —  Anything  inert  : 
hence  =  (i)  a  fool,  a  BLOCKHEAD 
(q.v.),  and  (2)  in  contempt :  spec, 
in  compounds  (mostly  recognised) 
such  as  laughing-STOCK,  jesting- 
STOCK,  courting  -  STOCK,  &c. 
Whence  STOCKISH  =  silly,  lump- 
ish ;  STOCKISHNESS  =  stupidity. 

1593.  SHAKSPEARE,  Taming-  of 
Shrew,  i.  i,  31.  Let's  be  no  stoics  nor  no 
STOCKS.  Ibid.  (1598),  Merchant  of  Venice, 
v.  i,  81.  Nought  so  STOCKISH,  hard,  and 
full  of  rage. 

1607.  BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER, 
Woman  Hater,  iii.  3.  All  accounted  dull, 
and  common  JESTING-STOCKS  for  your 
gallants. 


Stock. 


371  Stock  Exchange  Terms. 


1624.  FLETCHER,  Rule  a  Wife,  iii. 
5.  Thou  art  the  STOCK  of  men,  and  I 
admire  thee. 

1630.  JONSON,  New  Inn,  i.  i.  And 
therefore  might  indifferently  be  made  the 
COUKTING-STOCK  for  all  to  practise  on. 

1766.  BROOKE,  Fool  of  Quality,  iii. 
Such  a  STOCK  of  a  child,  such  a  statue  ! 
Why  he  has  no  kind  of  feeling  either  of 
body  or  mind. 

1778.  SHERIDAN,  Rivals,  iii.  i. 
What  a  phlegmatic  sot  it  is  !  Why,  sirrah, 
you'r  an  anchorite!  — a  vile  insensible 

STOCK. 

1837.  BROWNING,  Stratford,  iii.  3. 
Friend,  I've  seen  you  with  St.  John — O 
STOCKISHNESS  !  Wear  such  a  ruff,  and 
never  call  to  mind  St.  John's  head  in  a 
charger. 

STOCK  AND  BLOCK,  subs,  and 
adv.  phr.  (colloquial).  —  The 
whole;  completely  (GROSE).  Also 

LOCK-STOCK-AND-BARREL,       and 

(American)  STOCK-AND-FLUTE  : 
cf.  STICK -AND -STONE,  ROOT- 
AND-BRANCH,  &c. 

1725.  BAILEY,  Erasmus,  181.  Be- 
fore I  came  home  I  lost  all,  STOCK  AND 
BLOCK  [orig.  sors  et  usura  =  capital  and 
interest]. 

1861.  New  York  Tribune,  Oct.  In 
other  words,  Tammany  Hall  is  sold  out 
STOCK  AND  FLUKE  to  Fernando  Wood. 

PHRASES. — To  TAKE  STOCK 
IN  =  to  have  faith  in  ;  TO  TAKE 
STOCK  OF  =  to  scrutinize,  TO  SIZE 

UP  (q.V.)  ;  ON  THE  STOCKS  =  in 
hand,  in  preparation. 

(£1704.  BROWN,  Works,  iv.  42.  I  am 
told  Mr.  Dryden  has  something  of  this 
nature  new  UPON  THE  STOCKS. 

1865.  DICKENS,  Mutual  Friend,  ii. 
In  TAKING  STOCK  of  his  familiarity,  worn 
.  .  .  clothes,  piece  by  piece,  she  TOOK 
STOCK  of  a  formidable  knife  in  a  sheath  at 
his  waist. 

1889.  Harper's  Mag.,_  Oct.,  'Lit. 
Notices.'  Captain  Polly  gives  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship  to  two  boys,  IN  whom 
nobody  else  is  willing  TO  TAKE  STOCK,  and 
her  faith  in  them  saves  them. 

See  BROAD  ;  WATER. 


STOCK-BLIND,  adj.  (colloquial). — 
Quite  blind ;  blind  as  a  stock  or 

block  :  cf.  STONE-BLIND. 

1675.     WYCHERLEY,   Country    Wife, 
ii.  i.     True  lovers  are  blind,  STOCK-BLIND. 

STOCKDOLLAGER.  See  SOCKDOLA- 
GER. 

STOCK  DRAWERS,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— Stockings  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 

STOCK  EXCHANGE  TERMS.  [The 
following  list  is  imperfect,  but 
it  contains  the  better  known  and 
older  colloquialisms.  The  Stock 
Exchange,  admittedly  a  'close' 
corporation,  is,  in  fact,  so  close 
that  not  only  was  direct  official 
information  refused,  but  also  an 
appeal  to  be  put  into  com- 
munication with  some  member 
interested  in  Stock  Exchange 
colloquialisms  was  declined. 
Perhaps,  however,  subscribers 
will  be  good  enough  to  help  to  a 
supplementary  list  as  an  Appen- 
dix.]— ALES  =  Messrs.  S.  Allsopp 
and  Sons  shares  ;  APES  =  The 
Atlantic  and  North  Eastern  Rail- 
way first  mortgage  bonds ;  AYR- 
SHIRES  =  Glasgow  and  South- 
western Railway  stock ;  BABY 
WEE -WEES  =  Buenos  Ayres 
Water  Works  shares ;  BAYS  = 
Hudson  Bay  Company  shares ; 
BERTHAS  =  London  Brighton 
and  South  Coast  Railway  stock  ; 
BERWICKS  =  North  Eastern  Rail- 
way Ordinary  stock  ;  BONES  = 
(i)  North  British  4  per  cent.  1st 
Preference  shares  :  see  BONETTAS, 
and  (2)  Wickens,  Pease  and  Com- 
pany shares ;  BONETTAS  =  North 
British  4  per  cent.  2nd  Preference 
shares  ;  BOTTLES  =  Barrett's 
Brewery  and  Bottling  Company 
shares  ;  BRUMS  =  London  and 
North  Western  Railway  stock 
(formerly  London  and  Birming- 
ham Railway)  ;  BULGARIAN 
ATROCITIES  =  Varna  and  Ruts- 


Stock  Exchange  Terms.    372    Stock  Exchange  Terms. 


chuk  Railway  3  per  cent.  Obliga- 
tions ;  CALEYS  =  Caledonian 
Railway  Ordinary  stock ;  CAS- 
HELS  =  Great  Southern  and 
Western  of  Ireland  Railway 
stock  ;  CATS  =  Atlantic  Cable 
2nd  Preference  stock  ;  CHATS  = 
London  Chatham  and  Dover 
Railway  stock ;  CH  IN  AS  =  Eastern 
Extension  Australian  and  China 
Telegraph  shares ;  CLARAS  = 
Caledonian  Railway  Deferred  and 
Ordinary  stock  ;  COFFINS  =  The 
Funeral  Furnishing  Company 
shares  ;  COTTONS  =  Confederate 
Bonds  ;  CREAMJUGS  =  Charkoff- 
Kremenlsching  Railway  bonds  ; 
DINAHS  =  Edinburgh  and  Glas- 
gow Railway  Ordinary  stock  ; 
DOGS  =  Newfoundland  Land 
Company  shares  ;  DORAS  =  South 
Eastern  Railway  Ordinary  "A" 
stock  ;  DOVERS  =  South  Eastern 
Railway  Ordinary  stock  ;  DUCKS 
=  Aylesbury  Dairy  Company 
shares  ;  FLOATERS  =  Exchequer 
bills;  GORGONZOLA  HALL = The 
HOUSE  (f.v.) ;  GOSCHENS  =  The 
2|  per  cent.  Government  Stock  ; 
GUINNESS'S  =  Guinness  and  Com- 
pany shares  ;  HADDOCKS  =  North 
of  Scotland  Railway  Ordinary 
stock  ;  KAFFIRS  =  generic  for 
South  African  Mining  shares : 
whence  KAFFIR  CIRCUS  =  the 
South  African  Market  in  a  state  of 
excitement ;  KISSES  =  Hotchkiss 
Ordinance  Company  shares  ; 
KNACKERS  =  Harrison,  Barber, 
and  Company  shares  ;  LEEDS  = 
Lancashire  and  Yorkshire  Rail- 
way Ordinary  stock  ;  MAILS  = 
Mexican  Railway  shares  :  see 
MEGS  ;  MATCHES  =  Bryant  and 
May's  shares  ;  MEGS  =  Mexican 
Railway  ist  Preference  shares  :  see 
MAILS  ;  METS  =  Metropolitan 
Railway  Co.  shares  ;  MIDDIES  = 
Midland  Railway  Ordinary  stock  ; 
MONAS  =  The  Isle  of  Man  Rail- 


way shares ;  M  UTTONS  =  Turkish 
Loans  of  1865  and  1873  '•>  NEW 
BILLINGSGATE  =  The  HOUSE 
(q.v.) ;  NEW  PLATES  =  English 
Bank  of  the  River  Plate  shares  : 
see  OLD  PLATES  ;  NORAS=  Great 
Northern  Railway  Deferred  Ordi- 
nary stock  ;  NUTS  =  Barcelona 
Tramway  shares  ;  OLD  PLATES  = 
London  and  River  Plate  Bank 
shares;  PIGTAILS  =  Chartered 
Bank  of  India,  Australia,  and 
China  shares ;  POTS  =  Stafford- 
shire Railway  stock  ;  SARAHS  = 
Staffordshire  and  Lincoln  Railway 
Deferred  stock  ;  SARAH'S  BOOTS 
=  Sierra  Buttes  Gold  Mining 
Company  shares  ;  SARDINES  = 
Royal  Sardinian  Railway  shares ; 
SEWERS  =  East  London  Railway 
shares;  SILVERS  =  India  Rubber, 
Gutta  Percha,  and  Telegraph 
Company  shares;  SUNSHADES  = 
The  Sunhales  Extension  Buenos 
Ayres  and  Resario  Railway  Com- 
pany shares  ;  TERRORS  =  Nor- 
thern Territories  Co.  shares ; 
VESTAS  =  Railway  Investment 
Company  Deferred  stock ;  VIR- 
GINS =  Virginia  New  Funded 
Bonds ;  WHiPSTiCKS  =  Dunaberg 
and  Witepsk  Railway  shares ; 
WESTRALIANS  =  generic  for 
Western  Australian  Mining  shares. 
Also  see  BEAR;  BUCKET-SHOP; 
BULL  ;  COCKY  ;  FIDDLE  ;  FOUR- 
TEEN-HUNDRED;  FUTURES; 
GUTTERSNIPE  ;  HAMMER  ; 
HOUSE;  JAM-TART  ;  KERBSTONE- 
BROKER;  KIDNEY;  LAME-DUCK; 
LET-UP  ;  LOAD  ;  LONG  ;  OM- 
NIUM ;  ORCHID  ;  PEG  ;  PICKER- 
UP  ;  PUT  ;  RAID  ;  RUSH  ; 
SCALP;  SCOOP;  SET-UP;  SHOOT; 
SHORT ;  SHUNTER ;  STAG  ; 
STATE  ;  SWEATER  ;  SWIMMING  ; 
TAPES  ;  TAPEWORM  ;  TEN-UP  ; 
TIGHT  ;  TWIST  ;  UNLOAD  ; 
WADDLE;  WATER;  WASH-SALE; 
WIREWORM. 


Stocking, 


373 


Stogy. 


STOCKING.  IN  ONE'S  STOCKINGS 
(or  STOCKING-FEET),  adv.  phr. 
(colloquial). — Without  shoes. 

1809.  IRVING,  Knickerbocker,  168. 
The  mistress  and  chambermaid  visited  the 
house  once  a  week  .  .  .  leaving  their  shoes 
at  the  door,  and  entering  devotedly  in 
their  STOCK  ING- FEET. 

1854-5.  THACKERAY,  Newcomes,  viii. 
Binnie  found  the  Colonel  in  his  sitting- 
room,  arrayed  in  what  are  called  in 
Scotland  his  STOCKING-FEET. 

LONG-STOCKING,  subs.  phr. 
(common). — Means  in  plenty; 
resources. 

STOCK-IN-TRADE,  subs.  phr.  (collo- 
quial).— The  privities,  male  and 
female. 

STOCK-JOBBER  (STOCK-JOBBING, 

&c.),  subs.  phr.  (old  :  now  recog- 
nised).— See  quots. 

£•.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
STOCK-JOBBING,  a  sharp,  cunning-cheating 
Trade  of  Buying  and  Selling  Shares  of 
Stock  in  East  India,  Guinea  and  other 
Companies  ;  also  in  the  Bank,  Exchequer, 
&c. 

1703.  STEELE,  Tender  Husband,  ii. 
i.  Public  Knaves  and  STOCK-JOBBERS 
pass  for  Wits  at  her  end  of  the  Town,  as 
common  Cheats  and  Gamesters  do  at 
yours. 

1785.  GROSE,  Vulg.  Tongue,  s.v. 
STOCK  JOBBERS.  Persons  who  gamble  on 
the  Stock  Exchange  pretending  to  buy 
and  sell  public  funds,  but  only  betting 
that  they  will  be  at  a  certain  price  at  a 
particular  time  ;  possessing  neither  stock 
to  be  sold,  nor  money  to  make  good  the 
payments,  known  [as]  bulls,  bears  and 
lame  ducks. — [Abridged.} 

STOCKPORT- COACH,  subs.  phr. 
(old). — A  horse  with  two  women 
riding  sidewise. 

Adj.  (colloquial). — Very  ;  com- 
pletely :  usually  in  combination  : 
thus  STOCK-STILL  =  entirely  at 
rest  ;  STOCK-BLIND  =  absolutely 
sightless,  &c.  •  cf.  STONE. 


1675.  WYCHERLEY,  Country  Wife, 
ii.  i.  True  lovers  are  blind,  STOCK-BLIND. 

1759.  STERNE,  Tristram  Shandy,  i. 
22.  If  he  begins  a  digression  from  that 
moment,  I  observe,  his  whole  work  stands 

STOCK-STILL. 

1809.  MALKIN,  Gil  Bias  [ROUT- 
LEDGE],  91.  I  stood  STOCK-STILL  in  the 
street,  not  a  little  stiffened  at  this  vision. 

STOCKY,  adj.  (colloquial).  —  i. 
Short  and  stout ;  lumpy  ;  STUMPY 
(q.v.). 

1712.  ADDISON,  Spectator,  433.  They 
had  no  titles  of  honour  among  them  but 
such  as  denoted  some  bodily  strength  or 
perfection  ;  as,  such  a  one  '  the  tall,'  such 
a  one  '  the  STOCKY,'  such  a  one  '  the  gruff.' 

1856.  EMERSON,  Eng.  Traits,  \\.  It 
is  the  fault  of  their  forms  that  they  grow 
STOCKY,  and  the  women  have  that  dis- 
advantage—few tall  slender  figures  of 
flowing  shape,  but  stunted  and  thick-set 
persons. 

2.  (provincial).  —  '  Irritable, 
headstrong  and  contrary,  com- 
bined'  (IlALLIWELL).  Also  (3) 

impudent,  BRASSY  (q.v.). 

1856.  ELIOT,  Amos  Barton,  v.  He 
was  a  boy  whom  Mrs.  Hackit  in  a  severe 
mood  had  pronounced  STOCKY. 

STODGE,  subs,  (common). — i.  Food; 
(2)  a  heavy  meal ;  and  (3)  the 
crumb  of  new  bread  (Charter- 
house). As  verb.  =  to  gorge  ; 
TO  STUFF  (q.v.).  Hence  STODGY 
(or  STODGE-FULL)  =  distended, 
lumpy,  crammed  ;  STODGER  =  (I) 
a  gormandiser  ;  and  (2)  a  penny 
bun. 

1860.  ELIOT,  Mill  on  the  Floss,  i.  5. 
'You  don't  know  what  I've  got  in  my 
pockets  '  .  .  .  '  No,'  said  Maggie.  '  How 
STODGY  they  look,  Tom.' 

Verb.  (Tonbridge  School).— To 
hurt. 

STOGY,  adj.  (colloquial). — Generic 
for  coarseness  :  thus  STOGY- 
SHOOES  (or  STOGIES)  =  heavy 
shoes;  STOGY-CIGAR  =  a  rough 
coarse  cigar. 


Stoke. 


374 


Stone. 


STOKE,  verb,  (common). — To  eat : 
spec,  (i)  to  eat  without  appetite  ; 
and  (2)  TO  WOLF  (q.v.). 

TOOL  Troddles,  47.  To  my  mind, 
Troddles  STOKED-UP  on  bread-and-butter 
pudding  to  such  an  extent  that  I  wondered 
how  on  earth  he  could  .  .  .  expect  to  ... 
drag  himself  about  .  .  .  after  it. 

STOLL,  verb.  (North  Country  Cant). 
— i.  To  understand  ( ROTTEN). 

2.  (common). — To  tipple  ;  TO 
BOOZE  (g.  v. ).  STOLLED = drunk : 
see  SCREWED. 

STOMACH,  subs,  (old  colloquial). — 
Generic  for  disposition:  e.g.,  (a) 
spirit,  compassion ;  (d)  courage, 
temper ;  and  (c )  pride.  Hence  A 
PROUD  STOMACH  =  a  haughty 
disposition ;  STOMACH-GRIEF  = 
anger.  As  verb.  =  (i)  to  endure, 
to  encourage,  (2)  to  resent,  to  dis- 
gust ;  TO  STICK  IN  THE  STOMACH 
=  to  remember  with  anger  or 
disgust;  STO MACHFUL  =  (i )  stub- 
born, and  (2)  angry ;  STOMACHY 
=  proud,  irritable. 

1383.  CHAUCER,  Cant.  Tales,  '  Friars 
Tale,  143.  STOMAK  ne  conscience  ne 
know  I  noon. 

1553.  SIR  T.  WILSON,  Art  of  Rhe- 
toric. STOMACKE  GRIEF  is  when  we  wil 
take  the  matter  as  hot  as  a  toste. 

^.1556.  UDAL  [ELLIS,  Lit.  Letters,  4]. 
Your  excellente  herte  and  noble  STOMAKE. 

^.1563.  BALE,  Select  Works,  313 
When  he  had  STOMACHED  them  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  .  .  .  He  went  forward  with 
them  .  .  .  conquering  in  them  the  prince 
of  this  world. 

1570.  ASCHAM,  Scholemaster,  123. 
Many  learned  men  have  written  .  .  .  with 
great  contrarietie  and  some  STOMACKE 
amongest  them  selues. 

1582.  HAKLUYT,  Voyages,  ii.  23. 
King  Richard,  mpoued  in  STOMACKE 
against  King  Philip,  neuer  shewed  any 
gentle  countenance  of  peace  &  amitie. 

£.1589.  GREENE,  Alphonsus,  iii.  If 
that  any  STOMACH  this  my  deed,  Alphonsus 
can  revenge  my  wrong  with  speed. 


1596.  JONSON,  Every  Man  in 
Humour,  iii.  2.  O  plague  on  them  all  for 
me  !  ...  O,  I  do  STOMACH  them  hugely. 

1601.  SHAKSPEARE,  Hen.  VIII.,  iv. 
2,  34.  He  was  a  man  of  an  unbounded 
STOMACH. 

1608.  CAPT.  JOHN  SMITH,  True 
Travels,  I.  39.  Swift,  STOMACKFULL  .  .  . 
horse. 

1641.  BAKER,  Chronicles,  50.  He 
was  able  to  pull  down  the  high  STOMACHS 
of  the  Prelates. 

1677.  WYCHERLEY,  Plain  Dealer, 
iii.  i.  If  I  had  but  any  body  to  stand  by 
me,  I  am  as  STOMACHFULL  as  another. 

^.1704.  BROWNE,  Works,  ii.  70.  I 
have  not  had  an  opportunity  till  now,  of 
telling  you  what  STICKS  IN  MY  STOMACH. 

1821.  SCOTT,  Pirate,  xviii.  Truths 
which  are  as  unwelcome  to  a  PROUD 
STOMACH  as  wet  clover  to  a  cow's. 

1856.  MOTLEY,  Dutch  Repub.,  \.  76. 
The  priests  talk  .  .  .  of  absolution  in  such 
terms  that  laymen  can  not  STOMACH  it. 

1857.  DICKENS,  Little  Dorrit.    He 
has  a  proud  STOMACH,  this  chap. 

1866.  HOWELLS,  Venetian  Life,  vi. 
If  you  wipe  your  plate  and  glass  carefully 
before  using  them,  they  need  not  STOMACH 
you. 

STOMACH -TIMBER,  subs.  phr.  (old). 

— Food  :   cf.  BELLY-TIMBER. 

1820.  COOMBE,  Syntax,  n.  vii.  As 
Prior  tells,  a  clever  poet  .  .  .  The  main 
strength  of  every  member  Depends  upon 

the  STOMACH   TIMBER. 

STOMACH -WORM,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— Hunger  :  '  the  STOMACH-WORM 
gnaws '  =  I  am  hungry  (GROSE) 

STONE,  subs,  (vulgar). — In//.  =the 
testes.  Hence  STONE-HORSE  = 
a  STALLION  (q.v.);  STONE-PRIEST 
=  a  lascivious  cleric ;  STONE 
FRUIT  =  children.  To  TAKE  A 
STONE  UP  IN  THE  EAR  (venery)  = 
to  play  the  whore;  TWO  STONE 

UNDER  WEIGHT  (or  WANTING)  = 

castrated. 

1598.  FLORIO,  Worlde  of  Wordes, 
s.v.  Coglioni,  the  STONES  or  testicles  of  a 


Stone. 


375 


Stone. 


c.i6oo.  HAUGHTON,  Grim  the  Collier, 
v.  But  ne'er  hereafter  let  me  take  you 
With  wanton  love-tricks,  lest  I  make  you 
Example  to  all  STONE-PRIESTS  ever,  To 
deal  with  other  men's  loves  never. 

c.  1600.  Merry  Devil  of  Edmonton,  iv. 
i.  The  STONE  PRIEST  steals  more  venison 
than  half  the  country.  Ibid.,  iv.  2.  I 
would  to  God  my  mill  were  an  eunuch, 
And  wanted  her  STONES,  so  I  were  hence. 

1602.  MARSTON,  Ant.  and  Mellida, 
ii.  i,  3.  My  grandfathers  great  STONE- 
HORS,  flinging  up  his  head,  and  jerking 
out  his  left  leg. 

1605.  CHAPMAN,  East-ward  Ho,  iv. 
i.  Farewell,  thou  horn  of  destiny,  th' 
ensign  of  the  married  man  !  Farewell, 
thou  horn  tree,  that  bearest  nothing  but 

STONE-FRUIT. 

1608.  Merry    Devil   of  Edmonton 
[DopSLEY,    Old   Plays,    xi.    155],      The 
villainous  vicar  is  abroad  in  the  chase  this 
dark  night :  the  STONE-PRIEST  steals  more 
venison  than  half  the  county. 

1609.  JONSON,  Silent  Woman,  v.  x. 
Damp.  Your  ladyship  sets  top  high  a  price 
on  my  weakness.     Han.    Sir,  I  can  dis- 
tinguish gems  from  pebbles .     Damp. 

Are  you  so  skilful  in  STONES?  [Aside.] 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Diet.,  s.v.  Entier 
.  .  .  cheval  entier,  a  STONE-HORSE.  Ibid., 
s.v.  Couillon,  STONED  ;  or  that  wants  not 
his  STONES.  Ibid.,  s.v.  Couillon,  a  cod, 
STONE,  testicle,  cullion. 

1622.  MARMION,  Holland's  Leaguer, 
v.  4.  When  her  husband  has  followed 
Strange  women,  she  has  turned  him  into  a 
bezar  [goat],  And  made  him  bite  out  his 
own  STONES. 

1678.  COTTON,  Virgil  Travestie 
(1770),  68.  I  hate  a  base  cowardly  drone, 
Worse  than  a  Rigil  with  one  STONE. 

1704.  BROWN,  Works,  i.  60.  My 
spouse,  alas  !  must  flaunt  in  silks  no  more, 
Pray  heav'n  for  sustenance  she  turn  not 
whore  ;  And  daughter  Betty  too,  in  time, 
I  fear,  Will  learn  to  TAKE  A  STONE  UP  IN 

HER   EAR. 

Adj.  (old). — In  combination  = 
quite  ;  wholly  :  e.g.,  STONE-blind, 
STONE-cold,  STONE-dead,  STONE- 
still,  &c.  :  cf.  STOCK  (B.  E.  and 
GROSE). 

c.  1330.  Romance  of  Seven  Sages 
[WEB'ER,  Metrical  Romances,  iii.].  [Ou- 
PHANT,  New  Eng.,  i.  16.  Among  the  ad- 
jectives we  find  BLIND  so  STON.  Ibid. 
The  substantive  qualifies  the  adjective  as 

STANE  STILL  (p.  141).] 


[?].  Perceval,  841.  Ever  salt 
Percyvelle  STONE-STILLE,  And  spakke 
nothynge. 

[?].  Rom.  of  Partenay  [E.E.T.S], 
3121.  The  Geant  was  by  Gaffray  don 
bore,  So  discomfite,  STANDEDE,  and  all 
cold. 

1597.  SHAKSPEARE,  Richard  III., 
iv.  4,  227.  The  murderous  knife  was  dull 
and  blunt  Till  it  was  whetted  on  thy 
STONE-HARD  heart. 

1605.  JONSON,  Volpone,  i.  i.  He 
cannot  be  so  stupid,  or  STONE-DEAD. 

1609.  DAVIES,  Humour's  Heauen  on 
Earth,  47.  For  the  contagion  was  so 
violent  (The  wil  of  Heau'n  ordaining  so 
the  same)  As  often  strook  STONE-DED  in- 
continent. 

a?.i6iS.  SYLVESTER,  Du  Bartas,  v.  i. 
434.  The  Remora  fixing  her  feeble  horn 
Into  the  tempest-beating  vessel's  stern, 
Stayes  her  STONE-STILL. 

1647-8.  HERRICK,  Appendix,  451. 
Loue  will  part  of  the  way  be  mett,  or  sitt 

STONE-STILL. 

1856.  ELIOT,  Mr.  Gil/11,  xviii.  I 
thought  I  saw  everything,  and  was  STONE- 
BLIND  all  the  while. 

COLLOQUIALISMS. — To    KILL 

TWO  BIRDS  WITH  ONE  STONE  = 
to  do  (or  achieve)  a  double  pur- 
purpose  :  cf.  (FOXE)  '  to  stop  two 
gaps  with  one  bush  ' ;  TO  LEAVE 

NO  STONE  UNTURNED  =  to  Spare 

no  endeavour  ;  TO  MARK  WITH 
A  WHITE  STONE  =  to  single  out 
as  lucky  or  esteemed ;  TO  LIVE 

IN    A    GLASS     HOUSE     AND    YET 

THROW  STONES  =  to  lay  oneself 

open  to  blame  or  attack. 

1623.  MABBE,  Spanish  Rogue  (1660). 
He  THREW  STONES  on  my  housetop,  but 
when  he  found  his  own  [tiles]  to  be  of 
glass,  he  left  his  flinging. 

1650-5.  HOWELL,  Letters,  91.  He 
who  hath  glasse  windows  of  his  own, 
should  take  heed  how  he  THROWES  STONES 
at  those  of  his  neighbours. 

1656.  HOBBES,  Liberty  (1841),  117. 
T.  H.  thinks  to  KILL  TWO  BIRDS  WITH 
ONE  STONE,  and  satisfy  two  arguments 
with  one  answer. 

1697.  DRYDEN,  AZneid,  ii.  133.  New 
crimes  invented,  LEFT  UNTURN'D  NO  STONE 
To  make  my  guilt  appear,  and  hide  his 
own. 


Stone-bee. 


376 


Stone-wall. 


1709  [?].  WARD,  Terrafilius,  iii.  22. 
Her  most  Topping  School  is  among  the 
Meeting-House  Allies  in  Moorfields  .  .  . 
that  the  Saints  may  KILL  Two  BIRDS  WITH 
ONE  STONE,  and  tumble  out  of  the  School 
of  Piety  into  that  of  Debauchery. 

1774.  BRIDGES,  Burlesque  Homer, 
180.  Thus  swimmingly  the  knave  went 
on,  And  KILLED  TWO  BIRDS  WITH  EVERY 

STONE. 

STONE-BEE.    See  BEE. 

STONE-BROKE  (STONEY  or  STONY- 
BROKE),  adj.  phr.  (common).  — 
Penniless  ;  HARD-UP  (?.z>.)  ; 

PEBBLE-BEACHED  (q.V.}. 

1891.  Harry  Fludyer,  122.  Pat  said 
he  was  STONEY  or  BROKE  or  something  but 
he  gave  me  a  sov.,  which  was  ripping  of 
him. 

1897.  MARSHALL,  Pomes,  106.  Full 
of  fixes,  assets  'nixes,'  STONEY-BROKE, 
and  hence  these  tears.  Ibid,,  120.  On 
his  right  a  STONEY-BROKE-ER  In  bad 
financial  health. 

1899.  WHITEING,  John  St.,  xxviii. 
You're  a  toff,  STONE-BROKE—  that's  what 
you  are. 

1901.  WALKER,  In  the  Blood,  159. 
'Twon't  be  a  bad  lay  fer  us  when  we're 
STONEY  BROKE  down  'ere. 

STONE-DOUBLET  (-JUG,  -PITCHER, 
or  -TAVERN),  subs.  phr.  (old).  — 
A  prison  :  spec.  Newgate  (B.  E., 
GROSE,  and  VAUX).  Also  JUG 


1653.  URQUHART,  Rabelais,  iv.  xii. 
In  danger  of  miserably  rotting  within  a 
STONE  DOUBLET,  as  if  he  had  struck  the 
King. 

</.i704.  BROWN,  Works,  ii.  300.  Once 
more  .  .  .  observe  ...  for  I  am  not  at 
leisure  to  trifle  any  longer  with  you  :  other- 
wise a  STONE  DOUBLET  is  the  word. 

1834.  AINSWORTH,  Rookwood,  '  Jerry 
Juniper's  Chant.'  In  a  box  of  the  STONE- 
JUG  I  was  born. 

1836.  DICKENS,  Sketches  by  Boz, 
'  Prisoner's  Van.'  Six  weeks  and  labour 
.  .  .  and  that's  better  than  the  STONE  JUG 
anyhow.  Ibid.  (1838),  Oliver  Twist,  viii. 
"  Was  you  never  on  the  mill?"  "  What 
mill  ?  "  enquired  Oliver.  "  What  mill  ?  why 
the  mill  —  the  mill  as  takes  up  so  little  room 
that  it  '11  work  inside  a  STONE-JUG." 


1856.  READE,  Never  too  Late  to 
Mend.  I  will  sell  the  bed  from  under  your 
wife's  back,  and  send  you  to  the  STONE- 
JUG. 

STONE-  FENCE,    subs.    phr.    (com- 
mon). —  Brandy  and  ale;  BREAKY- 


1862.  E.  MACDERMOTT,  Pop.  Guide 
to  Int.  Exhib.,  1862,  185.  An  American 
bar  where  visitors  may  indulge  in  ... 
eye-openers,  STONE  FENCES,  and  a  variety 
of  similar  beverages. 

STONE-WALL,  subs.  (Australian).  — 
i.  Parliamentary  obstruction  : 
also  as  verb.  Hence  (2)  verb.  = 
to  obstruct  business  at  any  meet- 
ing, chiefly  by  long-winded 
speeches  ;  and  (3)  to  play  a  slow 
game  at  cricket,  blocking  balls 
rather  than  making  runs. 

1876.  Victorian  Hansard,  Jan.,  xxii. 
1387.  Mr.  G.  Paton  Smith  wished  to  ask 
the  honourable  member  for  Geelong  West 
whether  the  six  members  sitting  beside 
him  (Mr.  Berry)  constituted  the  '  STONE 
WALL'  that  had  been  spoken  of?  Did 
they  constitute  the  STONE  WALL  which  was 
to  oppose  all  progress. 

1884.  G.   W.   RUSDEN,    History   of 
Australia,  iii.  405.     Abusing  the  heroic 
words  of  STONEWALL  Jackson,  the  Oppo- 
sition applied   to  themselves  the  epithet 
made  famous  by  the  gallant  Confederate 
General. 

1885.  CAMPBELL  PRAED,  Head  Sta- 
tion, 35.     He  is  great  at  STONE-WALLING 
tactics,  and  can  talk  against  time  by  the 
hour. 

1894.  Argus,  26  Jan.,  3,  5.  The 
Tasmanians  [sc.  cricketers]  do  not  as  a  rule 

STONEWALL. 

AS     ABLE     TO    SEE      AS      FAR 
THROUGH    A     STONE     WALL      AS 

ANYONE,  phr.  (common).  —  As 
capable  of  understanding  —  a  re- 
tort on  depreciation  or  doubt  of 
one's  abilities. 

1900.  KENNARD,  Right  Sort,  xxii. 
I  lay  claim  to  no  such  exalted  pretensions 
.  .  .  although  I  flatter  myself  I  can  SEE 

THROUGH  A  STONE  WALL  AS  CLEARLY  AS 

MOST  PEOPLE.      Still    that's    not    saying 
much. 


Stoobs. 


377         Stop-hole  Abbey. 


STOOBS,  subs,  (back  slang).— Boots. 

STOOK,  subs,  (thieves'). — A  pocket- 
handkerchief  :  STOOK-HAULER  = 
a  handkerchief  thief. 

1893.  EMERSON,  Signor  Lippo,  xiv. 
All  I  get  is  my  kip  and  a  clean  mill  tog,  a 
pair  of  pollies  and  a  STOOCK,  and  what 
few  meddays  I  can  make  out  of  the  lodgers 
and  nudies,  and  what  I  earn  for  keeping 
the  grubs— a  soldi  from  each  as  I  told  you. 

STOOL,  subs.  (American). — A  decoy: 
see  STALE  and  STALL.  Also 
(common)  STOOL  -  PIGEON  =  a 
cardsharper's  accomplice  :  cf. 
PIGEON  and  ROOK. 

TO       FALL       BETWEEN      TWO 

STOOLS,    verb.   phr.    (old). — To 

hesitate  between  alternatives  and 

lose  (or  be  disappointed  in)  both. 

1546.  HEYWOOD,  Proverbs.  BETWENE 

TWO     STOOLS     MY     TAILE     GOES     TO    THE 
GROUND. 

1696.  MOTTEUX,  Rabelais,  v.  xliv. 
She  ordered  him  to  sit  down,  BETWEEN 
TWO  STOOLS  ...  his  arse  on  the  ground. 

1748.  SMOLLETT,  Rod.  Random, 
xxxiii.  Between  the  pride  of  one  and  the 
insolence  of  another  the  enterprise  mis- 
carried, according  to  the  proverb,  '  BE- 
TWEEN TWO  STOOLS  THE  BACKSIDE  FALLS 
TO  THE  GROUND.' 

1867.  TROLLOPE,  Last  Chronicle  of 
Barset,  xxxv.  Lily  was  aware  .  .  .  that 
she  was  like  to  FALL  TO  THE  GROUND 
BETWEEN  TWO  STOOLS — having  two  lovers, 
neither  of  whom  could  serve  her  turn. 

TO  LAY  THE  STOOL'S  FOOT  IN 
WATER,  verb.  phr.  (old). — To 
make  much  preparation  to  receive 
a  guest. 

STOOP,  subs,  (old).— The  pillory. 
'  The  cull  was  served  for  macing 
and  napped  the  STOOP  (or  was 
set  on  the  STOOP)  '  =  '  The 
swindler  was  convicted  and 
pilloried.'  STOOPING-MATCH  = 
a  pillory  exhibition ;  STOOP- 
NAPPER  =  one  under  punishment 
(GROSE  and  PARKER). 


To    GIVE    THE    STOOP,  verb. 
phr.  (old).  —  To  yield  ;  to  KNOCK 

UNDER  (q.V.}. 

1692.  RACKET,  Williams,  ii.  186.  O 
that  a  king  should  GIVE  THE  STOOP  to  such 
as  these. 

STOOP-GALLANT,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
—  See  quot. 

1611.  COTGRAVE,  Z>zVr/.,  s.v.  Trousse- 
galant. 

STOP,  verb,  (pugilists').—  To  ward 
off;  to  parry. 

1860.  Chambers'  Jo.,  xiii.  347.  He 
is  initiated  into  all  the  mysteries  of  hitting 
and  counter-hitting,  STOPPING  and  infight- 
ing. 


A.  L.  GORDON,  In  Utrumque 
Paratus.  Don't  STOP  with  your  head  too 
frequently. 

COLLOQUIALISMS.  —  To  STOP 
ONE'S  MOUTH  =  to  silence  :  spec. 
with  a  sop  or  bribe  ;  TO  STOP 
OUT  (theatrical)  =  to  cover  teeth 
with  black  wax  to  make  them 
invisible  ;  TO  STOP  OFF  (or  OVER) 
=  to  make  a  break  in  a  journey  : 
also  as  subs.  ,  e.g.  ,  a  STOP  OFF  in 
Philadelphia  (American)  ;  STOP 
MY  VITALS  =  '  A  silly  Curse  in 
use  among  the  Beaux  '  (B.  E.  )  ; 
STOP  THIEF  (rhyming)  =  beef: 
see  BEEF  IT. 

1628.  FORD,  Lover's  Melancholy,  iv. 
i.  Let  repentance  STOP  YOUR  MOUTH  ; 
Learn  to  redeem  your  fault. 

1673.  WYCHERLEY,  Gentleman  Danc- 
ing Master,  v.  i.  If  you  would  have  her 
silent  STOP  HER  MOUTH  with  that  ring. 

STOP-DICE,  subs.  pi.  (old).—  A  kind 
of  false  dice  (PALSGRAVE,  1540). 

STOP-  HOLE  ABBEY,  subs.  phr.  (Old 
Cant).  —  See  quot. 

£.1696.  B.  E.,  Diet.  Cant.  Crew,  s.v. 
STOP-HOLE  ABBEY,  the  Nick-name  of  the 
chief  Rendezvouz  of  the  Canting  Crew  of 
Gypsies,  Beggers,  Cheats,  Thieves,  &c. 


Stopper. 


378 


Stozzle. 


STOPPER,  subs,  (common).  —  A 
FINISHER  (q.v.)  ;  a  SETTLER 
(g.v.)  :  see  WHOPPER. 

1836.  DANA,  Before  ike  Mast,  304. 
The  last  resort,  that  of  speculating  upon 
the  future,  seemed  now  to  fail  us,  for  our 
discouraging  situation,  and  the  danger  we 
were  really  in  (as  we  expected  every  day 
to  find  ourselves  drifted  back  among  the 
ice)  "  clapped  a  STOPPER  "  upon  all  that. 

1887.  Field,  19  Feb.  Here  we  come 
immediately  upon  a  STOPPER,  unless  it  can 
be  happily  shunted. 

STOPPING  OYSTER.    See  OYSTER. 

STORRAC,  subs.  pi.  (rhyming). — 
Carrots. 

STOREKEEPER,  .SWA?.  (American). — 
An  unsaleable  article :  a  SHOP- 
KEEPER (English),  which  see. 

STORY,  subs,  (colloquial). — i.  A 
falsehood  :  euphemistic.  Whence 
STORY-TELLER  =  a  liar. 

1840.  BARHAM,  Ingolds.  Leg.  I 
wrote  the  lines  .  .  .  owned  them  ;  he  told 
STORIES. 

1848.  THACKERAY,  Vanity  Fair, 
xliv.  Becky  gave  her  brother-in-law  a 
bottle  of  white  wine,  some  that  Rawdon 
had  brought  with  him  from  France  .  .  . 
the  little  STORY-TELLER  said. 

1887.  Referee,  17  April.  As  they 
can't  all  be  true  some  of  them  must  be 
STORIES. 

BLIND  STORY,  subs.  phr.  (old). 
— A  pointless  narrative. 

1699.  BENTLEY,  Phal.,  Pref.,  64. 
He  insinuates  a  BLIND  STORY  about  some- 
body and  something. 

1762-71.  WALPOLE,  Vertue's  A  nee. 
Paint.  (1786),  ii.  75.  This  STORY  which 
in  truth  is  but  a  BLIND  one. 

See  UPPER  STORY. 

STOTER  (or  STOTOR),  suds.  (Old 
Cant). — A  violent  blow  :  e.g.t 
'  Tip  him  a  STOTER  in  the  halter- 
ing place '  =  '  Give  it  him  under 
the  left  ear '  (B.  E.  and  GROSE). 
Hence  a  SETTLER  (.v.). 


STOUPE,  verb.  (old). — To  give  up 
[HALLIWELL  :  *  A  cant  term ']. 

STOUT,  subs.  (B.  E.).— I.  'Very 
strong  Malt-drink  '  [LATHAM  : 
Note  to  quot.  1720  in  SWIFT, 
Works  (1744)  :  'a  cant  word  for 
strong  beer ']. 

2.  (Stock  Exchange).— In  //. 
=  Guinness's  shares. 

STOUT  ACROSS  THE  NARROW, 
phr.    (common). — Full    bellied  ; 
corpulent. 
1901.     Troddles,  xix.    Troddles  really 

is    RATHER    STOUT  ACROSS   THE   NARROW, 

you  know. 

STOVE-PIPE  (or  STOVE-PIPE-HAT), 

subs.  phr.  (common). — A  tall  hat ; 
a  CHIMNEY-POT (q.v.).  Fr.  tuyan 
depoele. 

1867.  Galaxy,  632.  Pickpockets  re- 
joice in  neatly  fitting  suits,  spotless  linen, 
sparkling  pins  and  ornaments,  and  STOVE- 
PIPE HATS,  tall  and  glossy  .  .  .  worn 
jauntily  on  one  side. 

STOW,  verb.  (Old  Cant).— i.  To 
hold  one's  tongue  ;  to  keep  quiet ; 
to  leave  off:  e.g.,  «  STOW  IT!' 
=  'Be  quiet';  'STOW  YOUR 
WHIDDS  AND  PLANT  'EM  ;  FOR 
THE  COVE  OF  THE  KEN  CAN 
CANT  'EM  '  =  '  Take  care  what 
you  say,  for  the  Master  of  the 
House  understands  you'  (HAR- 
MAN,  B.  E.,  GROSE,  andVAUx). 
Also  Stowmarket  (BEE). 

1838.  DICKENS,  Oliver  Twist. 
'  STOW  that  gammon,'  interposed  the 
robber. 

1887.  GILBERT,  Ruddigore.  But 
'tain't  for  a  British  seaman  to  brag,  so  I'll 
just  STOW  my  jawin1  tackle,  and  belay. 

STOZZLE,  verb.  (American). — To 
drink.  Hence  STOZZLED= drunk  ; 
see  SCREWED. 


END  OF  VOL.  VI. 


PE       Fanner,  John  Stephen  (ed.) 

3721        Slang  and  its  analogues 

F4-       past  and  present 

1890 

v.6 


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